I pretty much know this now, but i wanted to ask you experts about masking. My question is how long after I put a coat of paint down (Tamiya Acrylics) should I wait before I put tape on top of it for the next coat. I know now that the same day wont work[:D], pulled half the paint up with the tape. Needless to say I was a bit unhappy after all that masking I did. The model is a 1/72 ME-109 by Tamiya.
Thanks
Miller,
for Tamiya Acrylics, i usually wait until the next day.
but a lot depends on the tape you use.
i use the Tamiya tape, and it is very kind to paint.
it seems to have just the right amount of tackiness for me.
There are a few factors: 1, the type of tape, try to use a tape designed for detail painting such a what Tamiya makes or what you can find in a art supply shop or auto detail store. I use to use drafting tape but it doesn’t go over contours of panel lines very well. 2, how the surface was prepared, was it washed and free of oils and detergents. 3, the amount of acrylic that was applied and the temperature, humidity will affect the cure time. 4. Did you use a primer? I find that acrylics adhere much smoother when the surface has been primed. I’m a heavy user of acrylics, and if I do a top mask, then I tend to wait up to 8 hrs (depending on the time of year since I live in a humid area) and spray a satin clearcoat over the paint that will be masked, this insures that I won’t damage the paint.
Scott
Didnt prime this one, the coat of paint was failry light, but used several coats. Tape I used was 3-m masking, the blue stuff but i have tamiya also. I should have waited a day for each color I guess. [oops]
I usually wait 48 hours just to be safe-- have never pulled off any paint that way…and I also use the 3M blue tape.
48 hours works for me and I also use 3M blue tape.