How long should you wait to use masking tape?

Hi Tony,

Tamiya paints can appear to dry very quickly (if airbrushing, sometimes within seconds) but they cure much more slowly. I would wait a minimum of 8 hours, preferably ovenight, before masking.

PS: I'm assuming you're talking about "flat" colours. Gloss colours are a whole different nightmare 

Acrylics outgas at a much slower rate that enamels and lacquers do. They appear to be dry, however there is still a lot of "reaction" ongoing under the "skin" of the paint. Eight hours should be enough depending on humidity. Too low of a humidity and it can have adverse reactions as well.

Many a modeler has ruined a model during the home stretch...take your time, its worth it.

Thanks guys, this is the first time to use tape and I knew it would dry on the surface                 pretty quickly but better safe than sorry.                                                                    

Tony the Mutt

Tony,

In addition to waiting, the hardest part according to Mr. Petty, I ALWAYS stick the tape to my inner forearm, where I have the least hair, and then rip it off and put it on the paint, that has never failed to stick and has never lifted a finish.

Bill   

Hey Bill i'm into aggravation with modelling but not pain, at least not yet anyway.              

Philo,it will be three days tomorrow and I bet that 3M Blue is cheaper than Tamiya tape too.      Thanks for both your tips and i'll go get some of that 3M in the morning.

Tony the Mutt

Philo,

I switched a few years ago to the blue type from 3M and it hasn't pulled a finish yet.

In addition to the burnishing you mentioned, I usually use a light coat of clear coat ( Testors DullCote for enamels, Tamiya Clear spray or something similar for acrylics ) to seal the edges of the masking. 

Ok guys I did as you suggested and I did all that worrying for nothing.

You saved my bacon                                                                                                      Tony the Mutt