Masking medium for Lacquer paints?

[vaindioux]

Hi

Are Tamiya masking tape and 3M blue tape ok to mask for different colors?
I am experienced using acrylics on armor and aircraft and was wondering if the same masking tapes are good for lacquer spray paints.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

[tonioseven]

Tamiya tape is perfect. I've never used 3-M so I can't speak on it but I'm sure there are those that can.

[vaindioux]

Hi

I appreciate the answer. I use Tamiya masking tape for small, fine masking and use 3M blue tape for covering large areas as it is a lot cheaper. They both work great for me with acrylic paints (On armor/jet aircraft and ships).
I hate to just try on lacquer paint and mess up my paint job.

Thanks again

Patrick

[Didymus]

They'll both work fine with lacquer.

I also use Aizu Micron masking tape. It's made in Japan, and comes in narrower widths that you can "bend" around tight curves. You can get it at Hobby Search, http://www.1999.co.jp or HobbyLink Japan, http://www.hlj.com. Shipping to the U.S. from Japan is very reasonable and these are both reliable companies.

Ddms

[vaindioux]

D

I appreciate the tip, next time I order from these Japanese MO's I will get some.

Thanks

Patrick

[Sixx]

Didy,

is this tape thinner also? I'm wondering, because I'm trying to find a tape that will leave less of a step between colors. Tamiya tape works well, but if this is thinner, it would be great!

I also like the idea of being able to curve easier

[rizmonkey]

I know it's expensive but I like to use BMF and it works great! It's thinner and you can really burnish it down. I'd give it a try. It really work for me.

RIZ

[360spider]

Tamiya tape, or BMF should work fine.

[Didymus]

Yep, those ridges are an aggravation. Sorry to say, Micron tape is about the same thickness as Tamiya, but it's not as thick as Pactra and some others. I've had some success in masking off the stripe (or whatever) and then coming back and matching the mask line before I paint the stripe. If there's any ridge, I sand it down before clear coating.

I was using Scotch 3M masking tape "for delicate surfaces" until I discovered that it leaves a residue if it's left on too long. Anyway, I'm back to either Press n' Seal or that real wide Tamiya tape for big areas.

I haven't tried BMF for masking. I've always tended to be klutzy, and that hasn't improved with age. Whenever I cut away BMF, I worry that I'll slip and put a cut mark in paint and need to repaint the whole area. The narrow tape seems less risky.

Any thoughts?

Ddms

[Lownslow]

its thick i cut my own widths but its designed for masking

[Sixx]

I don't know how careful I would be with the BMF also, I have a hard enough time puttin' it on chrome trim


I bought a shitload of different size Tamiya tape sizes, but I'm going to try the BMF......I've seen Alex do amazing things with it

Alex, is there any secret to getting BMF residue off afterwards? I've tried Windex, 70% Rubbing Alcohol, Dishwashing detergent and I've gotten some bad advice and wiped a urethaned body with a quick wipe of enamel thinner, well, you can imagine what that did

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by Sixx

I've gotten some bad advice and wiped a urethaned body with a quick wipe of enamel thinner, well, you can imagine what that did

Wow, this forum can save your life! I've used enamel thinner (mineral spirits) without a problem on lacquer finishes, and I've just assumed it would be equally harmless on urethane. Bad assumption.

OTOH, alcohol dissolves MM and Tamiya synthetic lacquers. Does it also dissolve urethane?

Ddms

[Lownslow]

Originally Posted by Sixx

I don't know how careful I would be with the BMF also, I have a hard enough time puttin' it on chrome trim


I bought a shitload of different size Tamiya tape sizes, but I'm going to try the BMF......I've seen Alex do amazing things with it

Alex, is there any secret to getting BMF residue off afterwards? I've tried Windex, 70% Rubbing Alcohol, Dishwashing detergent and I've gotten some bad advice and wiped a urethaned body with a quick wipe of enamel thinner, well, you can imagine what that did

ouch ive used goo gone with results im still stumped as to why the alcohol didnt work you didnt do it hard enough.

mineral spirits works 100% of the time but you obviously learned the same lesson i did

[Didymus]

I think alcohol has the same effect on urethane base that it does on synthetic lacquer - most likely, it dissolves it. But I'm not certain about that. I'm painting a car with Dupont single-part urethane right now, so I'll urethane some scrap and see what alcohol does to it. I'll letchall know how it turns out.

But the 1-part touch-up paint and the 2-part clear are very different, chemically speaking. I never use the 2-part clear and don't have any on hand, so I can't try the same experiment with it. My guess is that it will resist the alcohol much better than the base. After all, full-size cars are finished with 2-part urethane clear, and that stuff is tough.

As to removing BMF residue from a urethaned surface, I think WD40 might do the trick nicely without harming the finish. But I don't know for sure. So if anyone would like to give it a try...

Ddms

[Lownslow]

Originally Posted by Didymus

I think alcohol has the same effect on urethane base that it does on synthetic lacquer - most likely, it dissolves it. But I'm not certain about that. I'm painting a car with Dupont single-part urethane right now, so I'll urethane some scrap and see what alcohol does to it. I'll letchall know how it turns out.

But the 1-part touch-up paint and the 2-part clear are very different, chemically speaking. I never use the 2-part clear and don't have any on hand, so I can't try the same experiment with it. My guess is that it will resist the alcohol much better than the base. After all, full-size cars are finished with 2-part urethane clear, and that stuff is tough.

As to removing BMF residue from a urethaned surface, I think WD40 might do the trick nicely without harming the finish. But I don't know for sure. So if anyone would like to give it a try...

Ddms

2 part urethane is not alcohol proof mostly it will attack the base before it attacks the clear