What kind of masking tape you use for doing 2 tone?

[greymack]

Hey guys here is something that has been bugging me for years what is the best tape for doing 2 tone paint jobs?

[diymirage]

tamiya

hands down

[John Pol]

I use real auto tape goes well around bends and all sorts of stuff. And no bleed threw ever.

John Pol

[scalenut]

3m fineline ... better than tamiya hands down and a heck of a lot cheaper per foot.

If you like tamiya than get this stuff(pic below) at box stores,sherwin williams...ect ... same exact source, same exact tape, and again, a heck of a lot cheaper

Edited December 1, 2011 by scalenut

[Terry Sumner]

I use any of the above for masking, especially the green automotive style. However...I ALWAYS cut a new edge on the tape by using a straightedge and a new sharp blade. The factory edge is fine for 1:1 automotive work but needs to be more precise for scale modeling. So far, the Tamiya tape has been good right out of the dispenser as is the Fineline.

Edited December 1, 2011 by Terry Sumner

[1320wayne]

Frog Tape! Green roll found at most big box stores. Holds a fine edge with no bleedthrough and won't stick to the already painted section in regards to pulling any existing paint off. I've tried the Tamiya tape and this is equal in quality (in my opinion) and less expensive.

[Dr. Cranky]

I use all sorts of tapes for different jobs. I agree Tamiya is very good and I use for for smaller jobs, but for working out graphics, I use 3M tape I get from COASTAIRBRUSH.COM out in Cali. It's the tape Craig Fraser uses for his graphic tape work. I use a piece of glass or smooth tile to lay it down and cut it into small strips (in scale) and then apply it.

Once the tape is down, I mist a coat of clear to seal in gaps, etc, and then you are good to go.

[Guest]

I use Tamiya for the lines and blue painter's tape to fill in. I definitely want to give the tape Andy showed a try!

[Art Anderson]

Geez, I am so 20th Century I guess! Still using good ol' 3M Masking Tape (you know, the cream colored stuff). Where did I go wrong anyway?

Art

[Jordan White]

When the texture of the tape is transferred to the already painted surface, does that mean it was applied too early before the paint had adequate dry time?

[Art Anderson]

When the texture of the tape is transferred to the already painted surface, does that mean it was applied too early before the paint had adequate dry time?

Yup! Masking tape applied to paint that is not completely cured will do that.

Art

[Jordan White]

Makes sense, sometimes I get too rushed and mask off too early when trying to get a build painted.

[Eshaver]

I either use the 3-M Fine line or a good quality Frosted Celophane tape. Ed Shaver

[MikeMc]

6mm Tamiya or 1/8 fineline...then body masking paper or saran wrap...the Tamiya is best for lacquers as it is very thin...3M bends a lot nicer.

[my66s55]

I think the real trick is to use a tape that is not real sticky and wont leave a a lot of real sticky glue behind and to spray or brush a barrier such as a clear coat of future to give you a sharp edge. Works for me.

[Rob McKee]

3m fineline ... better than tamiya hands down and a heck of a lot cheaper per foot.

If you like tamiya than get this stuff(pic below) at box stores,sherwin williams...ect ... same exact source, same exact tape, and again, a heck of a lot cheaper

Thanks for the tip. I haven't seen this tape before but I'll have to keep my eyes open.

[walt francis]

I use tamiya and Frog tape

The frog tape a little more but works great to stop bleeding.

[Wagoneer81]

Greymack, I have good luck with Tamiya yellow tape. It's kinda pricy but, to me, it's worth it... Since we're talking 2-tone paintjobs, I'll share a tip I learned from a model railroader about preventing bleedthrough; After you paint the base color and mask off for the second color, spray the edges of the mask with the base color. After that dries, THEN shoot the second color. This will seal the edge of the mask, if there is any bleedthrough it will be the first color, not the second... I've done this in scale and on 1:1 projects and it works like a charm... Hope this helps!

[Dragline]

Tamiya in all widths.

Bob

[Dr. Cranky]

This is pretty good too:

http://www.coastairbrush.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4872-00

[Peter Lombardo]

That tip from Chris, from the model railroading guys, is a great tip. As an old HO railroad modeler, I use that technique often and it works great. If you haven't tried it, consider giving it a try...it takes a little longer because the paint has to dry before the second color can go down, but the "bleed" problem is eliminated. And it compensates for most flaws in the tape, so you can use the lower stick tapes which leave less residue behind.