What kind of masking tape do you use?

Tamiya. All the store brands have been less than satisfactory in my experience. 

Roger that!

Tamiya only. 

as above

What they said ^^^. Only Tamiya.

I use Tamiya as well. I also use yellow Frog painter tape as well with zero issues. Walmart has them in green and blue as well.

I use Tamiya on canopies and along edges that will be painted, cheaper whatever brand masking tape as filler beyond the Tamiya tape. I'll also use the cheaper tape to hold parts together (fuse, wing halves, etc).

I don't know why Tamiya is so much better than any other masking tape i have tried but it just is. I use it on every critical area for painting. it always comes off clean and with sharp edge lines and doesn't lift the paint underneath it.

If there is a better, cheaper tape out there, I'd like to know about it.

Jay Jay

I don't know why Tamiya is so much better than any other masking tape i have tried but it just is. I use it on every critical area for painting. it always comes off clean and with sharp edge lines and doesn't lift the paint underneath it.

If there is a better, cheaper tape out there, I'd like to know about it.

 

It is very thin, compared to most general purpose masking tapes.  I think that may help it conform to surfaces better.  It is made in a variety of widths too, so it is great to have several widths on hand- makes masking a model of varying shapes easy, without having to cut as many pieces as you would need from wider gp tapes.

I'll add a little, regarding Tamiya tape.

You can cut thin strips (down to less than 1mm) and they will "bend" enough for curves...think, masking a prop spinner, cowling, nose, yellow bands for bombs, tail bands, etc.

It also works great for making seat harnesses. It allows you to make twists and bends easily...I prefer it over PE belts. I usually cut the hardware/buckles off the PE and use them with the tape.

fermis

I use Tamiya on canopies and along edges that will be painted, cheaper whatever brand masking tape as filler beyond the Tamiya tape. I'll also use the cheaper tape to hold parts together (fuse, wing halves, etc).

 

The big plus for Tamiya in my book is the adhesion qualities. It stays in place securely, yet is low tack. I tend to leave masking tape in place for prolonged periods and every other brand I have tried tends to become more difficult to remove the longer it's left in place. And long or short term, they often leave residue. Those have never been issues for me with Tamiya tape. It also is far less likely to pull up any paint underneath that has dried and cured. The only exception to that being Model Master Acrylic on an unprimed surface. That stuff will come up easily if you stare at it too hard...

Alright, I will try Tamiya tapes!

Thanks everyone!

Hey ;

 Can I do a Super Ditto ? Best tape I have ever used !  T.B.

Tamiya as well for me.I also now use their new flexible tape for curves.

Bish

Tamiya as well for me.I also now use their new flexible tape for curves.

 

I have had some problems with that stuff. If I put too much curvature into it, it wants to lift.

Same here Don. Its ok on gentle curves,m certainly better than normal tape. But even on an aircrfat nose i have to do it in sections. Certainly not perfect.

Elation ;

   Although , as I said I do use Tamiya's different sizes of tape , I also use Automobile striping tape if it requires tight curves . Then back that up with Tamiya .  T.B.

I've been using the yellow frog tape from Wal-mart for about two years now,  i love it,  I guess cuz I'm cheap.  I'll use regular masking tape for holding other things together.

John

I've tried so many, agree that overall Tamiya is the best. But I have had really good results for tight curve masking, with one called "Duck" brand blue tape. I cut it into ultra thin strips, it will conform to and hold a very tight curve, haven't encountered residue remaining, clean line separation.

Made in USA, bought it either at hardware store or Wally World. Cheap, works, happy. But, still it's 90% Tamiya for me.

Patrick

I think I got the message! Tamayi tape ordered today. Some of my most famous disasters have been masking problems like paint pull up and seeping under. Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot!

Max

bushman32

What is the trick to using Tamiya tape? I have several rolls and I have the worst luck getting it to stick. Many times I have to resort to masking tape. Ron W.

 

Whatever masking tape you use be sure to keep it clean.

At one time I kept all my tape loose in a plastic box. I looked at the edges and there was all kinds of crap stuck to the sides of the tape. Nicks and dents too. These problems can allow paint to leak under the tape.

I now keep each roll in an individual zip lock bag and I'm careful about tossing it around.

excellent point mitsdude , never thought of that .

I'll second what Mitsdude said. I am currently using up some tape that had been placed on a dusty table. The edges of the roll picked up all kinds of junk, even cat hair. Now, when I am masking, I have to pull off all that garbage because it could get plastered down into the paint during airbrushing. It's a pain, and I made up my mind that I won't make that mistake again. Keeping the tape in a zip lock bag is a great idea.

To the OP's question: I use Tamiya tape. It has just the right amount of stick to it. For non-critical jobs, like to mask off for overspray, I will use painters tape. It is less expensive to use.

Thanks for the input on Tamiya tape. I do keep my tape in bags. Sometimes I don't clean the newly opened plastic, and when I do, probably not good enough. I use masking liquid when I don't need straight lines, such as waterlines. My feeling is I need to clean the plastic of mold release better and better burnishing. 

 Another question, how does Testor's tape compare?

  Ron W.

bushman32

 

 Another question, how does Testor's tape compare?

  Ron W.

 

I have used it- 1/16 width version.  It works and was narrower than Tamiya offered at the time. It works okay, but it is not as good as Tamiya.