Question about painting.

From reading on others posts, I've seen others use silly putty as a way to cover up spots they didnt want painted while trying to paint another spot. I've only seen it done on Armor to paint camoflauge...I'm sure the experts will chime in yo help you out...

A low tack tape will work, like 3M blue painters tape or tamiya model tape.

Liquid mask works as well.

As with all of these make sure that first coat of paint has cured a few days first so it doesn't lift and dont leave the masking on for very long or it will be a mess to clean off the adhesive. 

 

E... 

Like E said the Tamiya tape or 3M Blue tape works well.  I prefer the Tamiya tape cuz it's thinner, but I use both.  Which ever you use, get a flat surface such as a piece of glass or a piece of tile (not the vinyl floor stuff, the stuff on the counter top or the wall of the tub), put the strip of tape on the tile and cut a new edge about a 1/16th of an inch back.  This will eliminate the fuzzies on the edge of the tape, giving you a nice sharp line.  After applying the tape, burnish the edge down with a toothpick.  Some like to seal the edge of the tape with the bottom color to prevent seepage, but I don't worry about it.  Try to paint perpindicular to the tape line as this will help prevent seepage as well.  Use light coats and everything should be fine.  As soon as you can, remove the tape.  This keeps the adhesive from becoming to aggressive (hard to remove-I have a funny car body I left taped up for too long and now the tape won't come off) and prevents capillary action from sucking the paint under the tape.  Hope this helps, look forward to seeing some pics.

What are you looking to chrome?  If you're going to do the window trim, pick up some Bare Metal Foil.  It's a VERY thin adhesive backed foil that works great for window and body trim.  Use a new blade to cut it, then burnish it down with a qtip.  Trim excess then burnish again.  If you're doing bumpers, you can touch the sprue connection with silver or chrome paint and it won't be that noticeable.  If you want to do the whole bumper try using Alclad through your airbrush or send it out to be rechromed.

I'm doing the window trim and since this is my 1st time, can you tell me more about Bare Metal Foil?  What and how do you trim the excess without damaging the paint? Are there any chrome paint that I can buy? Thanks.

Teejay,

Like I said in my previous post, Bare Metal Foil is an extremely thin adhesive backed foil that you peel and stick to the model.  How to apply-cut a piece longer and wider than the trim you're trying to cover.  Peel the backing material off and apply it to the model.  Make sure there are no dust particles or hairs or anything on the surface of the model as the BMF will make these stand out like a sore thumb (a quick wipe with lint free cloth dipped in alcohol will take care of this).  Once you have the BMF in place, burnish it down with a qtip.  Take a NEW #11 blade and lightly follow the edges of the trim.  Did I say use a NEW #11 blade?  If I didn't, make sure you use a NEW #11 blade.  Go slow, the BMF is extremely thin and if a NEW #11 blade isn't used, it will tear leaving a ragged edge or worse (also you don't want the blade to skip across you're newly painted surface).  Continue around the frame until you're done.  Once you've finished, burnish everything down again and the place where the pieces overlap will virtually disappear.  As to chrome paint, what are you trying to do?  Testors used to make a "chrome" paint, but it wasn't chrome like at all.  Alclad makes a chrome paint that is airbrushed over a gloss black base at a low pressure.  I've never used it, but I've seen it done well and it looks more realistic than the chrome plated plastic that comes with the kit.  Like everything it takes a bit of practice from what I understand.  One thing I've seen done in the magazines is that some will take a Sharpie and blacken the edge of their NEW #11 blade so they can see it against the BMF.  Hope this helps.

There is chrome paint available through house of kolor and rattle cans on another site but I forget the name, search for it on the web.  House of Kolor is a automotive paint company and chrome paint has a massive ammount of useage possiblities.  I am planning on using it on a ferrari with a red or purple candy on top, looks like colored metal really neat if I can get it to work.  However, like said prior you need to lay down a black base coat.

I use blue 3m painters tape .Does a good job and leaves no damage as long as the first color has cured for a day or 2.   

Bare Metal foil is easy to use and does a great job on chrome trim.Just use a new #11 blade in your exacto knife and a good pair of tweezers.Cut a strip a little longer and wider than the trim to be chromed,rub it down with a soft cloth,and then carefully trim away the excess with very light pressure,You then peel away the excess with the tweezers.Buff it with a soft cloth to increase the shine and you are done.