Paint lifting with the mask

Michael-

I have similar problems using the blue painters tape with Tamiya acrylics.  I would suggest switching over to Tamiya tape, excellent stuff that will rarely lift paint.  What are you thinning your paint with?  I have also had issues when thinning with straight alcohol, now I use Tamiya thinner (X-20) and have had great results.  HTH!

I'll have to look for some Tamiya (or equivalent) tape, then.

I mentioned in my first post, in parenthasis, at the end, that I'm using the Tamiya thinner.  I didn't put the "X-20A" after it, though.

Michael 

I haven't found this in my neck of the woods, but it comes highly rated:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/message/1227913425/Alternative+to+Tamiya+Tape

I use the Tamiya paint, and its great. If this really is the same stuff, it will be great and much cheaper. I can certainly cut smaller strips out of larger ones!

That's the one!  I read that same "review", and there was a discussion here on the forums about it, and someone else mentioned that they use it, blah, blah.  Yeah, taht's what I was gonna look up.

In fact, I got on the forums just now to search for the name of that one!  Thanks, Bgrigg!  I'm going to try to locate some around here, and maybe buy some Tamiya to see for myself  how they compare.

Michael 

Hi Michael,

Did the paint lift all the way to bare plastic? If so, it's more an  issue with the primer not adhering properly. I don't use it (in fact haven't seen it on the shelves here in Australia) but I recall reading that Testors Acrylics do often have adhesion issues. The best you can do is make sure that the bare styrene is absolutely clean before priming and perhaps give the surface a very light sanding with a high grit (1200 or higher) paper or a light rub with a Scotchbrite scourer. And do try to get hold of some Tamiya masking tape - it's great stuff.

Also, don't sweat on over-thinning Tamiya acrylics - I often thin up to (and beyond) 4(thinner):1(paint) and it works for me. 

Phil_H wrote:

Hi Michael, Did the paint lift all the way to bare plastic? If so, it's more an  issue with the primer not adhering properly. I don't use it (in fact haven't seen it on the shelves here in Australia) but I recall reading that Testors Acrylics do often have adhesion issues. The best you can do is make sure that the bare styrene is absolutely clean before priming and perhaps give the surface a very light sanding with a high grit (1200 or higher) paper or a light rub with a Scotchbrite scourer. And do try to get hold of some Tamiya masking tape - it's great stuff. Also, don't sweat on over-thinning Tamiya acrylics - I often thin up to (and beyond) 4(thinner):1(paint) and it works for me.

First, yes it did lift to bare plastic.  I am almost positive that it was an issue of either "dirty" plastic or simply not a good bond for other reasons (kinda obvious isn't it?).  After thinking on it, however, I had the thought after posting that I may have used some Tamiya spray primer (the white stuff).  That stuff smells more like a laquer, so I don't know why that would have lifted, unless it was truly the tape used and/or a dirty model.  The problem is, I'm truly not sure which primer I used!  

I'm not able to afford replacing all my paint, so I have to find out a way to keep from lifting paint when I mask.  I'm going to try the tape, as well as trying to ensure that the plastic good and truly cleaned before painting.  I may have also done the primer coat a bit wrong.  Oh, well!  That's why I do this hobby..to try and do better each time!

Thanks for the input, everyone.  Once I get the new tape, I will attack the model again (the weather ha conspired against me, so I have to wait a few days anyway).  Since the primer will be the same, and I'll be using the same brand of paint, I think it will be a fair trial of the new tape.  At least I have another build going, and enough in the stash to keep  a buld going while I wait for the paint.

Michael 

Hey, Michael, taking a break after putting the wheels and treads on the Big E100, checkit out.

I habitaully stick masking tape, whatever brand, to my palm or forearms, usually twice, when I am going to stick it to a nice painted surface.  It still has plenty of stick to get the job done, but I have never ruined paint since I started doing this.  Give it a try.    

Citadelgrad87 wrote:

Hey, Michael, taking a break after putting the wheels and treads on the Big E100, checkit out. I habitaully stick masking tape, whatever brand, to my palm or forearms, usually twice, when I am going to stick it to a nice painted surface.  It still has plenty of stick to get the job done, but I have never ruined paint since I started doing this.  Give it a try.

AARRRGHHHHHH!  I knew there was something I had done before that I forgot this time!!!  Yeah, I usually stick it to somethign a couple times myself, but forgot to this time.  Why didn't you remind me BEFORE i masked it?

At least my painting has to be put on hold until my "new" tape is here to use.  (I ordered some of that supposed-to-be-just-like-Tamiya stuff online, so I wouldn't have to search for a store around here.   Hope it gets here soon.)  And, since the weather is a bit cold to spray in the garage, I have to wait anyway.  I'll try masking another "junk" model and see if that helps the lifting.

Thanks for the heads up, and I'll check out the E-100 build.

Michael