Can anyone tell me what is the best tape to use for masking canopies? I was using a liquid mask, and did not work to well. I build in 1/72 scale.
Thanks
Tamiya yellow tape is my prefered tape. Bare Metal Foil also works well, but the residue can be difficult to remove without damaging the paint. I have found that clearcoating the model before removing the foil helps, then buff off the residue with a dry Q-tip. HTH! [tup]
I always use Tamiya Yellow tape. Its cheap and is the same stuff Or very similar to the stuff you buy in Canopy mask sets.
I always Future my canopies 1st.
…Guy
Tamiya tape has been great and if you get any of the Eduard masks don’t throw them away after use as all the edging pieces are helpful too!
I have tried numerous types of masking agents and Tamya tape works best for me. It is thin, opaque so you can see canopy frames and leaves no residue.
Keith, Twain Harte, CA
If the ribbing on the canopy is deep enough I usually use Tamiya tape. When you burnish it down you can see it change color, so that you know it is secure. Before using, attach tape to your palm - this will cut its tackyness and make it easier to remove. To cut the tape, I use a #12 scalpel blade which looks like the beak of bird of prey. I hold the blade in my fingers, and pull the blade towards myself. The blades are available on EBAY - you don’t need them sterilized.
If the ribbing is very faint, I use Bare Metal Foil, as it will carry the impression of whatever is beneath it extremely well. for very small panes, and other situations it sometimes does not stick too well so review all work immediately before spraying.
Liquid mask can work very well if, when covering an area, you outline the area with tape, then “paint” the inside with the mask. remove the tape, and the mask will come along with it. This is preferred for non-ribbed bubble canopies,
Use a small quantity of “goof off” on a q tip to remove any excess adhesive.
Enjoy - when you get canopy masking down, your planes look MUCH better.
regards,
Jimf
Goo Gone removes the residue without damaging the paint.
I love my Tamiya Tape. I have it in every size they make. I also Like using frieket paper for canopies that have very light frames. That way I can still see the canopy frame. Or I just use tamiya tape and back light the canopy.
I’m just recently back to the hobby, but like many above I’m finding Tamiya tape to be the stuff to use. [tup]
I use the tamiya tape for the small bits and if i’m masking a lot of the aircraft off to avoid overspray I use the 2" wide blue painters tape. It’s very easy on the paint and relatively cheap. The tamiya tape is pretty expensive for how small it is, but for how well it works and controllability you can’t beat it.
I use chrome and/or gold trim sheets made by Monokote for RC Aircraft. A huge sheet is just a couple of dollars and it works very well. It’s thin has a good adhesive that still comes off easily and did I mention how inexpensive it is. A small sheet of Bare Metal Foil cost me about $8 and a sheet of trim 5 times bigger costs 1/4 the price.