Specific or preferred order for placing camo paint masks?

Howdy!

Like with any job to be done, it pays off to think about it for a while before starting... While it doesn't quite apply here, in a multi (more than two) coloured camo it's best to paint the colour with most surface coverage last - otherwise you have to cover more surface of the model with masks. Other thing co consider would be staging the colours from lightest to darkest (for better coverage) - or, if you do preshading, from darkest to lightest.

When painting white motifs on dark background, it's best to paint white first, mask it and then put the darker colour on. BUT if you build a heavily weathered subject it might pay off to do it in reverse and have a colur show through the white.

I hope this helps you - good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks for the help. That is all good advice. I will try to make clear what i was asking. when physically placing the masks on the model is it easier to place them on the wings first or the fuselage where camo patters may need to match up. Continuing from the wing to the fuselage in one continuous pattern. I am finding it difficult to find the "matchline" so to speak. 

I always spray light color to dark regardless of placement on the model.  It's way easier to come in light against the edge of your tape and avoid creating a ridge when you do it that way.  You can make transitions or cut the mask at the wing roots to get a proper match line.   That's certainly the way it is on the real aircraft.  

Mcv1015

Thanks for the help. That is all good advice. I will try to make clear what i was asking. when physically placing te masks on the model is it easier to place them on the wings first or the fuselage where camo patters may need to match up. Continuing from the wing to the fuselage in one continuous pattern. I am finding it difficult to find the "matchline" so to speak.  

No right or wrong way, or best way, except what works best for the individual modeler.  Having said that, I mask for camo or otherwise, whatever means less work down the line.  As an example-for the white USAAF ETO markings, stripes from leading to trailing edge on wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizers, I learned to apply the white first, then mask the stripes when it comes time to apply the OD and grey, or metal colors.  If I did it the other way 'round, I'd wind up having mask much more of the surface.  I learned that the hard way, by the way.

As far as RAF camo goes, I'd do the same as MJY65 described and apply the lighter color first, then mask for the darker.  I mask the fuselage and wings in the same pass, then I don't have to worry about where the patterns meet.  I address than when applying the masking.

Thanks everyone. I have eyeballed where the dark earth pattern will be and have sprayed that. I will be waiting about 48 hours to mask and spray the dark green as that is when I will be able to get back to it. I may have been being too picky about the placements of the masks trying to get them exactly as shown on the instructions. I am sure the paint on the realy planes was not down to the millimeter. Thanks again for the help. 

Thanks everyone. I have eyeballed where the dark earth pattern will be and have sprayed that. I will be waiting about 48 hours to mask and spray the dark green as that is when I will be able to get back to it. I may have been being too picky about the placements of the masks trying to get them exactly as shown on the instructions. I am sure the paint on the real planes was not down to the millimeter. Thanks again for the help.