I would like to build aircraft with natural metal finishes. I work in 1/72 scale. I have seen how some builders paint adjacent metal panels in slightly different tints and I want to reproduce these effects. When I mask over metallic paints, however, they often pull up when I remove the masking tape. What is the secret to painting/masking with metallic colors? Would appreciate any help! Russ
You can use Post-it notes to mask adjoining panels.Some modelers use Friskit Film,it’s a sheet of plastic that labs use to seal the tops of test tubes.
Spray a black primer before applying metal finishes.
Tojo, did you mean Parafilm? I know it’s original use was for sealing lab equipment like beakers, jars and tubes. I think frisket is used more by artists, iirc. Have a great day!
Gary
Yes,thats it,thank you.Friskit is used by artists for masking,it could be used also
Does the black primer cause better adhesion of the metal paint,then say gray or white primer ? thanks
Some metallic paint brands are more fragile than others. Alclad paints are really durable. Model Master Metallics can be pretty fragile,and pull up easily, primer or not.
I have used both Post-it notes and frisket paper for panel masking. They are both very low tack.
I have also been trying a different technique, but still too early to say how well it works. I prime first in gloss black, then mask and paint some panels different colors, including semi-gloss (like Testors black chrome) black, and gloss gray. I do get slightly different shades but still not sure which other colors I like best (even used gloss yellow on one panel for a more magnesium look).
Also, some of the hardware and building supply stores near me are selling real cheap sheets of a paintable low tack paper. It is used to paint a patch and stick it on your wall to see how you like the color. It is less than a buck for an 8.5 x 11 piece- cheaper than I can get frisket film in my area. Only downside is it is not transparent like frisket paper, so it is harder to cut to size/shape.
According to several FSM articles, a black primer makes metallic finishes look more real than does a white or grey primer.
chrisk-k is right but for panel color variation paint some panels with white, silver, blue, or ?? the color of your say, Alclad will be changed on the not black panels; after you top color drys, you could gently rub some panels with 11-12000 sanding sponge. That will change light reflection (ie color) too.
I’ve found a primer helps metallic paint stick better. I used to have the same problem of metallic paint lifting when painted directly onto bare plastic but been okay since I started priming my model first.