AFV Wheel masks

I cut my own wheel masks out of flat scrap plastic packaging using a tapered reamer. Cut a starter hole and then ream it out to the exact size you need.

I have commercial wheel masks. They are no better than a circle template. A metric circle template is the way to go.

or you could just do warwheels and ignore all those tracked thingies.

That's what I was thinking Tojo. But I am going to give a circle template a shot first. I am not worried about a little overspray, as no doubt in the field paint would have got onto the rubber and I figure the weathering should deal with it, and any more major issues can be touched up. Though I may have to get a standard template rather than the professional one as the latter are around £12 here.

Looks like reasonably priced product Bish.I do have template but most of the wheels just are not the right size needed, always slightly off.May have to give it a shot.

Thanks Rob, that's a good reminder. I had considered it, but certainly worth pointing out. That's usually the sort of thing I would have forgotten about.

Bish

Guys, thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I think I will try the circle templates first, if I don't like those, then I have not waisted much, but as others seem to find them ideal, I reckon they are worth a shot.

Thanks again.

Just make sure to use painter's tape or masking tape to cover over surrounding holes; that way it lessens the chance that there might be overspray.

I stumbled on a youtube a year or so ago showing this being done with circle templates. Fella surely did make it look easy and fast. Hope it works for you, Bish.

Will do Barrett. My next armour kit will be a Jagdpanther which I should start Feb/march time and will do a WiP thread on it.

Bish, Please let us know how they work out for you. I'm certainly curious. Thanks. Barrett

Guys, thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I think I will try the circle templates first, if I don't like those, then I have not waisted much, but as others seem to find them ideal, I reckon they are worth a shot.

Thanks again.

Yup, touch up is part of the perfectionist's bag of tricks, or is it ball and chain! I have not used the masks for other wheels. I don't know enough about the slight variations in diameters of different wheels to know when it would be right for another wheel or not. The masks are etched with the model and kit manufacturer they are for, so I suppose if you knew you were dealing with a wheel with an identical diameter to the ones they are intended for, they'd do just fine.

Hi Bish,

I make my own masks for painting wheels. I have an Olfa circle cutter (sort of a compass with a knife blade). I use 3/4" wide masking tape and cut out a circle the size of the wheel and I now have a mask for both the wheel and the tire. For small wheels I use a paper punch and masking tape if I have the correct size punch. Don't have pics but can take some if it would help.

Circle cutter here: http://www.dickblick.com/products/olfa-compass-circle-cutter/

Thanks Barrett. I would not be to worried about a little paint getting behind the mask as touch up's or weathering could deal with that. That's the only thing about the circle template I would be worried about. Have you used the Alliance Models one on kits other than those recommended.

Bish, I have the masks you are looking at. It's a great set. You do have to make sure the mask is sitting down on the wheel all the way around or some paint will blow behind it. The plastic one mentioned by Rob presents the same challenge. Spray at as minimal an angle as possible and use low pressure and that should take care of most of that. You may still end up doing some touch up if you want it to be perfect. I'm thinking of spraying some Krylon Easy Tack to the back of the mask so it will stick to the wheel. It's repositionable, but I don't know yet if it would pull off the acrylic on the wheel rim. But that should hold the mask in place and prevent paint from blowing behind it. Also, you have to make sure it is perfectly centered on the wheel. Rob's suggestion would be better for this if the plastic template is transparent. Then you could see if your mask is centered on the wheel. What I don't know is if the diameters on the plastic template are exact. Barrett

I got a set of those with the 251 wheels I am using now. But they don't appear to be re usable.

That circle template looks a good idea, and much cheaper as well. Thanks for the input guys.

Bish,

I've been considering getting some of the Quick Wheel masks:  Click here

They are a bit expensive, but I figure if I can paint 4+ with each mask, I would be doing pretty good. I also have the standard circle templates that cost $5.

Hope this helps

Most of us just get circle templates from Office Depot or Staples for $5 or so.

www.officedepot.com/.../Staedtler-Mars-Template-Circle-Combo