Masking windows

Hello All

This is my first post. I usually build cars, mostly NASCAR. I am stuck on masking & painting windows. I have tried using maskol, but it tears when I cut it. I am using a brand new blade. I briefly tried foil, it gave the detail to cut, but I wasn't sure how to stick it down. Does anyone have a simple foolproof way to mask windows. Thanks

Ashleigh

Not sure what you mean by masking windows, so here's a short tutorial on masking the clear parts as well as making around window trim  They're pretty self explanatory but if something doesn't make sense feel free to ask for more details.  
 
 
 






And here's the window trim masking (obviously you'd mask the rest of the car too, but I just did around the windows for the sake of getting this uploaded quicker  
 

most ppl fit the windows after the body has been painted, this eliminates the need to mask the windows

Hello Slowlylearning & dv8v8

dv8v8, I understand where your going. I have Plymouth Fury that I don't have to mask. Unfortunately the NASCAR's have a lot of framing, hence the need to mask to paint the frames. I would not be doing any more work then I need too

Slowlylearning, everything is self explanatory, but I have 2 questions, more learning what they are. I am not sure what the tape is? also what the thing with grey lead in is? is it compass or a caliper? other then that everything looks straight forward

Thank you both for your suggestions & knowledge, they are very much appreciated

Thanks
Ashleigh

I got the tape here- http://www.bnamodelworld.com/u-star-ua-90012-50-masking-tape-width-50mm-length-18m It's out of stock, but you can get Tamiya brand yellow masking tape at almost any hobby shop. Yep the silver thing is a Jasco mathematics compass, when you buy a set you never look back! Just like buying a pinvise, it has so many uses!

Yay finally got a maths question right!!! LOL. I will keep an eye out for the both products. Thanks for the help. Hopefully I might have the courage to post finish products here, if they turn out OK.

Ash

Post up your builds anyway Ash, most of us are not masters of the hobby, just enthusiasts.
We are all keen to see some-one else's work and ideas, don't be shy, they're all good people here.

Cheers

Hi all

Hope someone is still watching? Antwon I may post some pictures pretty happy, how model is progressing. Might even have two to post.

Slowlylearning or anyone else for that matter. The masking technique you showed me works a treat. Thank you so much. Could I trouble you for one more bit of advice, if you know how? I have had a little bit bleed through. Do you or does anyone know how to remove small spots of acrylic paint. Obviously it all on clear plastic. Any advice would be much appreciated

Thank you all

Ash

Polycarbonate Bodycleaner from Tamiya works wonders with acrylic paint. Or gently use a toothpick to scrape the bleedthrough away verrrry gently

It's best to use an airbrush rather than a spraycan for models, because you can have more control over the amount of paint that goes on the model/parts. Brush painting is a better alternative than spraying for window masking, just make sure most of the excess paint on the brush is wiped on the mouth of the jar. Good luck! You could put up a thread for your builds in the WIP section of this forum so we can watch along if you want

Thank you again slowly learning. I brush paint everything. I have tried the spray cans, with limited success. An airbrush is a pipe dream for the moment, as I don't have the space. I could give the WIP section a go for the next build. But I am very grateful for your help, with added bonus that your suggestions are easy to get & available.

Ash

There's guys here that do absolutely astonishing spraycan paintjobs here, it's more than possible, I just prefer the airbrush. Getting the cans nice and warm and doing light coats I think is how they do it. Airbrushes can be had pretty cheap, I got mine from Aldi for $100, the set came with a compressor, a double action topfeed airbrush and a gravity feed double action one.

Just another quick tip about paint bleeding under the tape, make sure you push down the tape along the edge with your fingernail or a piece of balsa, but you already knew that.
Also if you are masking up bodies to do multiple colours, a good tip is to brush a little clear along the edge of the tape so the top colour can't bleed underneath.

Cheers

the way I've found to do the black edging is with a texta. angle it on the edge of the glass, press down a bit and run it around, no need to mask...

Hello All

I want to thank everyone for there tips. They have given me a lot to try & perfect. I really appreciate all the help, it has started to improve my skill's base. Thanks

Ash