I can’t for the life of me remember where I read it, but I remember reading about a technique where wet tissue or paper towel is used to mask panels on an NMF built so you can airbrush differing panel colors without having to worry about tape pull-up. Is anyone else familiar with this technique, and can you corroborate what I read? I’m interested in trying this on my 1st NMF build.
–Chris
Chris, I believe the material used is newspaper, cut into shape first and then dampened, perhaps with a “mister”. It has also intrigued me but I’ve never used it, yet, that is.
Gary
I do recall reading something similar. Testors used to have brochures with hints and tips for their Metalizer line on the display racks. In those pamphlets, they recommended the use of wet newspaper for masking for the reason that you listed. I would presume wet tissue or paper towel to be a variation of that technique.
I use regular old printer paper, cut to shape, dipped in water, then pulled through between index and middle fingers (to get rid of excess water). I wouldn’t want to use tissue or paper towel, too many little fibers that could get stuck in the paint.
Ahh…you guys might be on to something there. Dorkfish, the fiber issue does make sense. Maybe some experimenting is in order. Thanks and keep the comments coming if ya got 'em!
Never used it for masking before, sounds good. I have used it in wheelwells etc though and it worked well.
There are several other materials that I know folks have used for masking over NMF (like Alclad). They include 3M post-it notes, or frisket paper/film, both very low tack.
Post-its work great if they have a perfectly flat surface, but they’re stiff enough that they’ll pull up over curving contours (say lengthwise over a wing). Since I do my NMFs with Alclad, I use heavily de-tacked Tamiya tape and it works great.
Newspaper and tissue paper (the gift-bag kind, not kleenex) would both probably work quite well over more fragile NMF finishes.
Yeah, for post-its you need to use two for a curved surface, with taped edge reversed, and sometimes even a bit of scotch tape to hold the two together.
Ive used wet paper towels / napkins / toilet paper to mask off wheel wells, and cockpits in the past. They work really good provided you get enough stuffed in there to where you can mold and form all the way to the edges, but even then you typically have to go back and touch up bits and pieces here and there. The newspaper could probably work the best without the risk of leaving any fibers behind, but NMF are a bit tricky, as they’re so easily fouled up if you’re not careful. I’d say seal your paint job in with Metalizers first before you attempt to go and add any foreign substances to them. Kind of just a free added insurance there.
Tamiya masking tape is what I use.When using any kind of tape see if you can place the tape on the palm of your hand several times before applying to the surface.Go real slow when you remove the tape and at an angle.
When using newspaper make sure to use enamel paints.Water base paints will moist through and the carbon stain will appear .Disaster 101.