Paint Masking

[DJ BlendeR]

I was curious. Is it better to mask off a body with short strips or long strips? I would think long since it doesnt allow for gaps in between the strips to allow paint to get in. Also, is there a number of layers that works best or just stick with one layer? I know, Im a newbie when it comes to painting. But I am going to pick up Prolines new BMW body. It looks pretty nice.And so I want to get the paint right. Im thinking bout doing a three stage paint job, the front will be white, then a little in front of the rear wheel well I will put a dividing stripe that will be maybe blue or yellow, then the back will be black. So I will be painting back to front. An by that time I will be able to post pics for you to enjoy.

[HauntedMyst]

Long will be better. It doesn't matter if you paint back to front or front to back, just generally darkest to lightest although you can make exceptions where it is necessary.

[JP]

Correct, long pieces are better because paint wont leak, but for some really tight curves and lines, sometimes it has to be short. It doesnt batter if you go front to back, it DOES matter that you go dark to light spraying because you dont want a light color to turn funky because you sprayed a dark color on it.

[JP]

I can make the checkered flag theme, but I tried making it 3D and with shadows. VERY VERY bad with a spray can. You need an airbrush to control the paint flow and pressure. BTW, that body runed (bled through tape) and did every bad thing imagineable. PARMA makes a paint mask now to paint a checkered flag.

[crasiman]

I myself am still an amateur with this whole painting deal. I was wondering how people make those cool rippled checker flags?

[Nairb]

To make a rippled checkered flag mask, cover the whole area with tape, then cut horizontal lines in it, then vertical lines. Next pull out the shapes that are left in a checkerboard pattern (every other one). Spray in the darker color first and remove the rest of the tape, and paint the other color. That's basically it. If you want a seriously realistic flag look (like Bob Hastings' MAXX body), it takes TONS of skill and planning to get the shadowing effects in first, before any color is added...

[Tiggs1]

You don't want to cut your tape while still on the body. If you do, you'll score the lexan and the body will snap apart with the first imapct you have.

[HauntedMyst]

Tiggs,
Thats only of you press down on it like a gorilla.


I would also recommend you try some liquid mask if you have a steady hand. That way you can work right on the body. If you don't have a steady hand, STICK WITH TAPE. Liquid mask is great but for straight lines, tape works best.

[Tiggs1]

LOL HauntedMyst http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif