airplane wheel masks

I spray the hubs.  Let dry. Then I use a tiny (0.20mm)  black marker to trace the outer edge of the hub rim.  This gives me just enough space to handpaint the rest of the tire.  Demarcation is very sharp.  The marker is a Pigma Micron available at HobLob for about $4

Blue tac is a product found in any office supply store or aisle at a Walgreens or other food and drug store or department store.

It is meant for hanging paperwork etc to a wall without damaging the surface or the item.   It is like silly putty but seems to have no oily residue.

It may be marketed by a few manufactures under various names.   It usually is packaged in little blue rectangular bars.   Just scan the office products aisle, you'll find it.

http://www.elmers.com/product/detail/E1531?filterPath=putty

jburns

I've heard of Blue-Tac but i don't know where to get the stuff. Any ideas where to get it? Squadron, maybe?

You can find the stuff all over the place... Elmers makes some called removeable putty, Uhu makes some, Scotch makes some. Usually I get mine at Hobby Lobby, but most places carry it. Look near the tape. It kinda looks like thick sticks of gum, sometimes its blue sometimes it yellow depending on who makes it. I think it usually runs a couple of bucks. You can use it to mask for camo too, works great and is a lot quicker than using tape.

I've heard of Blue-Tac but i don't know where to get the stuff. Any ideas where to get it? Squadron, maybe?

That's some great looking planes you built. Especially like the Dauntless. It always amazes me how great the models are on this forum!

I know what you mean about masking canopies, as they can be a BIG pain!

Thanks for the info., will take into consideration. As i need all the help i can get. Thanks again.

jburns,

I use blue tac.  Roll into a ball, pinch at one end (handle) and lightly press onto wheels center hub.  I allow it to creep a bit over the edge of the rim but not touch the tire area.   Takes a few tries to get it just right but its pretty easy.   Then hit the tire with paint.    I don't try to get coverage up to the rim's edge at this phase.    When you remove the blue tac, you then flow a black or dark wash of watered down acrylics and capillary attraction causes the paint to form a perfect line between the rim and the tire.     I don't have any photos yet.  Sorry!     It took a little practice at first but I use this method all the time.

I have tried the method of using templates and it works great when you find the exact size. I also use punches to punch masks from tape... quick and works great also. Thanks for the tip ,as I for one will try just about anything to ease the pain of things I find to be a pain in the rear to do. i.e. masking wheel, canopies, etc.

I've started painting the tire first, then once it's dry, holding wheel flush against one of those green plastic circle templates you can get at OfficeMax and the like, and just spray the wheel through that. Tried it for the first time last night and the results were fantastic. It's also a lot faster than masking.