How to mask a sub

newbie999 wrote:

Tom, Thank you for your post and spending the time to find the model that we are working on. This is our first father and son sub kit so we wanted to do the best job we could.  Both of the posts here help alot!  We didnt like the quality control from Trumpeter. What other manufacturers are better, or what others ones do you like? For airplanes, we like Italeri alot. Good detail and good fit. Revell is ok but the plastic is not as good as Italeri. Then there is Tamiya. This we found to be maybe the best. Your thoughts? Andrew

Honestly, for the price/value, especialy for a beginner. I prefer Revell.

All companies have their gems and lemons. Some more then others. I have never built a Tamiya ship model, but after building their aircraft models, if they keep the same standard, then they would be very nice.

My only complaint about Tamiya, is the same as that for Revell, that is, they stick to their own limited paint collection for colors, and they often have you mix things that you can otherwise get straight out of a bottle from Testors. That means if their paint maker doesn't have they actual color, instead of telling you who does, or simply correctly identifying the color by FS paint standards, they insist that you buy their stuff and make a special brew by mixing ratios, etc., that is useless if later on you need the same color for another subject.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a specific model, then it frequently gets to where you settle for what you can get, or can most easily get your hands on for the least amount of trouble.

For example, I noticed that there are more then one Seawolf kit, so for that I would frankly see the different reviews for each subject, then decide, depending on avilability and price as well.

As I mentioned before, I would go for the less expensive, complicated kits for a beginner.

Tom

newbie999 wrote:

Oh, i see, wow, thanks for the great painting tips! I greatly appreciate your post.  Now where would you get this 3M vinyl tape? At this point the Aves putting is all sanded down now so we can think about doing the father son painting and masking. Andrew

I bought my 3M pinstriping tape at an auto paint supply store.  They sell to customizers and autobody shops.   Check the yellow pages in your area.

None locally?  Get a piece of glass, a steel rule (12 to 18 inches), and a new Xacto blade.  Measure & cut 1/8 to 1/4 strips from masking tape.   Tamiya modeling tape is good, but not necessary.  3M Blue painters tape from the local Lowes/Home Depot is also useable.   Cutting on the glass gives you a nice clean sharp edge - without tearing up SWMBO's countertops.  It also doesn't pick up the sanding dust that will be on your workbench surface.

Tom,

Thank you for your post and spending the time to find the model that we are working on. This is our first father and son sub kit so we wanted to do the best job we could.  Both of the posts here help alot!

 We didnt like the quality control from Trumpeter. What other manufacturers are better, or what others ones do you like?

For airplanes, we like Italeri alot. Good detail and good fit. Revell is ok but the plastic is not as good as Italeri. Then there is Tamiya. This we found to be maybe the best. Your thoughts?

Andrew

Oh, i see, wow, thanks for the great painting tips! I greatly appreciate your post.  Now where would you get this 3M vinyl tape?

At this point the Aves putting is all sanded down now so we can think about doing the father son painting and masking.

Andrew

newbie999 wrote:

I am helping my son build a sub. Its the Seawolf. I am wondering how to use tamiya tape or other devices to airbrush the curved lines required. I have seen one picture of a guy who did it but the image was not that clear. Does anyone have any pictures they can share of masked areas with curves and tight arcs?

You need a narrow, flexible tape to mask around compound curves like the bows & sterns of modern submarines.   For this I use 3M vinyl auto striping tape.  This is not the colored pinstripe tape,  rather it is used where you want to mask curved surfaces.   I use 1/8 inch which is blue.   I believe other widths are different colors.  Strike a level line and apply a length of tape.   Then work the curve,  stretch, apply, tweek, burnish.  Once you have a good edge taped down go back and fill in the field with a coat of your favorite masking tape. 

Then paint.  To minimize seep-under, do not spray into the seam.  Spray with low pressure and away from the seam.

You may be able to accomplish much the same by cutting some lengths of your favorite masking tape to a narrow width.  Use a straight edge and a brend-new sharp Xacto blade.  

For your information, this month's issue has an article about building a submarine (German U-Boat).

Also, here is a link to a website article for a fairly basic build that appears to be the same one as in the FSM article:

 http://www.internetmodeler.com/2004/december/ships/icm_sub.php

Here is a brief review on the Seawolf kit itself (which looks simpler then the above U-Boat):

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/tru/kit_tru_144seawolf.shtml

Here is the link to the build/review for the Seawolf:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/builds/tru/build_tru_144seawolf.shtml

Hope this helps

  Tom