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Masking compound curves

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  • Member since
    September 2009
Masking compound curves
Posted by ACMierzeje on Monday, December 14, 2015 10:35 PM

I am trying to mask the identification stripe applied to the noses of P-51B Mustangs by the Eighth Air Force during WW II.  Getting a straight vertical line for the outer edge has proven extremely difficult due to the compound curves on the Mustang's nose.  I have been using thin strips of Tamiya tape and still have not been able to get satisfactory results.  Any suggestions?

 

Thank you.

Tags: masking , Painting
  • Member since
    February 2007
Posted by mitsdude on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 1:09 AM

Tamiya has just released a new tape made for curves. Its white instead of yellow. 2,3,5,mm. I haven't tried it yet but I have some on the way.

You might also check auto supply stores for 3M tape used for pin stripping.

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by Snibs on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 1:44 AM

I have tried it and it's not bad, it's like thin electrical tape. you have to stretch it a fair bit and because of that it will retract, it will come off curves if there tight but that was on matt paint, gloss would probably be better.

I think it will be fine for your masking ACMierzeje.

Mick.

Some stuff that might be interesting.

https://sites.google.com/view/airbrush-and-modeling/home

On The Bench.

Tiger 1 and Tooheys.

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: West of the rock and east of the hard place!
Posted by murph on Friday, December 18, 2015 9:21 AM

For compound curves, I use this stuff exclusively:

http://www.nexcare.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NANexcare/Nexcare/ProductCat/~/Nexcare-Absolute-Waterproof-Tape?N=4326+3294631805&rt=rud

It's the feline's behind (cat's a** in the polite sense).  I buy mine at WalMart and it's relatively cheap.  Cut a length and then place it on a smooth surface.  I use glass from those cheap clip frames like this that you can but at the dollar store:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=clip+frames&biw=1376&bih=694&tbm=isch&imgil=1qppHgvfjWA4CM%253A%253B4z8OYoorHaF71M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.dataliteframes.co.uk%25252Fclip-frames-wholesale-supply.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=1qppHgvfjWA4CM%253A%252C4z8OYoorHaF71M%252C_&dpr=1.4&usg=__AlHRMPNUYQlNcT4IBUG0Pjujnjw%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjm8ovC2OXJAhXD0h4KHX6wDa4QyjcISA&ei=xCF0VuaAKMOle_7gtvAK#imgrc=1qppHgvfjWA4CM%3A&usg=__AlHRMPNUYQlNcT4IBUG0Pjujnjw%3D

Then use a metal straight edge to cut lengthwise strips.  Although it is somewhat low tack, I still place the strip on my pant (jeans, cotton sweat pants or nylon / rayon basketball shorts) to reduce the tackiness.  It doesn't hurt the adhesion factor one bit.

Here's the result of using this tape mask over compound curves on the back end of an RCAF Sabre:

Your milage may vary but I really like this stuff.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Retired and living the dream!

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Friday, December 18, 2015 9:33 AM

Dang, I like new ideas.

 

Personally I cut my first row at abt 1/32, then add more layers.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho
Posted by hogfanfs on Friday, December 18, 2015 9:37 AM

Murph,

Thanks for the link, going to get some this weekend!

 Bruce

 

 On the bench:  1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

                        1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: West of the rock and east of the hard place!
Posted by murph on Friday, December 18, 2015 9:38 AM

GMorrison

Dang, I like new ideas.

Personally I cut my first row at abt 1/32, then add more layers.

Glad I could help, brother!

Mike

Retired and living the dream!

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by Snibs on Friday, December 18, 2015 2:37 PM

New toy to try out, ill see if I can find it here in Oz.

Some stuff that might be interesting.

https://sites.google.com/view/airbrush-and-modeling/home

On The Bench.

Tiger 1 and Tooheys.

 

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