M3 masking tape, M3 Blue painters tape, or silly putty, whats better?

oh yeah I use painters tape sometimes too.... low tack but kind of a fuzzy edge to it...

usually Tamiya tape, Pactra also makes a tape the is similar (if not the same) as the Tamiya... if your LHS doesn't have the tamiya in the modelling section go to the R/C section and see if they have it... that's where I found the Pactra and it was a little cheaper too... same low-tack, smae properties as far as cutting and shaping...

I use liquid mask for very small areas and some canopies.. especially the japanese variety with their 1000 little windows per canopy piece, I put it on with a 2/0 brush or smaller for that...

for large areas I use 2" masking tape if it's gonna be a fairly quick spray... (it sticks very well if left too long... TOO well) I just burnish down around the edges I will be painting around and leave the rest either lightly stuck to or just free over the piece I don't want paint on...

It depends, for "hard" demarkation I use Tamiya masking-tape, but when I'm doing camo that has a "soft demarkation line silly-putty or even toothpaste have been used by me.

My personal favorite is Tamiya's yellow tape. The stuff is very thin which minimizes thick paint edges. It cuts beautifully without leaving and fibers or fuzz to mar a sharp line. It is very strong which is useful if cutting a long, thin strip. It is fairly flexible to mold to surfaces with compound curves. It is tacky enough to stick well without being so tacky as to pull off paint.

3M Blue tape is fairly good and quite inexpensive compared to Tamiya tape. It is a touch thicker than Tamiya tape, and not quite as strong or flexible as Tamiya tape, although it has the good cutting and low tack properties of Tamiya tape.

Depending on the masking situation, if I need the super fine edge or strength of Tamiy tape. I'll use that otherwise, I'll use the cheaper 3M tape.

......all will have its place and use in most projects you'll find yourself wrapped up in......& you might wanna add "Blue Tac" to the list........

For Tamiya tape your LHS could probably order it for you. Other choice would be one of the online hobby shops that advertise on this site.

Got a Home Depot close by? Lowe's? Both carry it in the painting section.

thanks for your imput guys. question, where can i get some tamiya masking tape my LHS doesnt carry it.

It varies on what I'm trying to do. My preference is to use tape (specifically Tamiya masking tape or 3M Blue) because sometimes it will be several days before the masking comes off. Other times, for a quick-and-dirty mask or in places that tape just plain won't work, Silly Putty, Post-It paper, dampened tissue, whatever is necessary.

It also varies with what you are using to paint with. Spray cans have a lot more pressure than most people use with an airbrush. Paint brushes put down a lot more volume of paint than most people do with an airbrush. For that reason, some things that work great with airbrushes don't work so well when using rattle cans or a hand brush.

HEY,
I use blue painters tape sometimes and it works great.

Randy

in most Fine Scale mags ive seen blue painters tape used although I have herd good things about all of them.

Hey Charles you're on fire with your posting today buddy.

My personal preference is Tamiya masking tape, I use both the 6mm and 18mm tape and have found them to be viceless.

I also Silly putty or Blu tack when masking in certain situations (protecting the insides of canopies for instance).

Cheers
Darren