Hi all, I am currently working on Tamiyas 1/48 MKI Spitfire as a practice build for the Spitfire GB. I have never been good at masking the canopy to paint the frame, but last night I was using masking tape and somehow I ended up breaking the front windscreen in half? Is there something easier I can do than masking tape? All Tips, Suggestions, and Replacement Parts[;)] are welcome.
Chris
Chris
There are lots of methods. Masking tape is a bit thick of this purpose in my opinion. When using tape I like Tamiya tape since it is thin. You can cut very thin strips and outline the inside of the frame then either fill is in with more thin strips or what I like to do is fill is in with on of the liquid masks.
You can also use Bare Metal foil. Apply the foil burnish it at the edges and cut away the excess with a new #11 blade. This may leave some residue that will need to be removed but that can be addressed if you decide to use that method but it is easy. If there aren’t any large compound curves I like to use plain old Scotch tape. Stick it on like the foil and cut with a sharp knife. Since it is sort of clear you can see the frames to facilitate cutting.
Chris-
I prefer the bare-metal foil as a mask.
I have an extra front windscreen for the 1/48 Tamiya Mk.I, PM me your address and I’ll send it out to you.
I like Bare Metal Foil as a canopy/window glass mask also. Tamyia 40 wide would be my second choice or as said above as fill. The downfall to BMF is the residue clean-up. Alcohol/lighter fluid works well if done carefuly. Nice assist on the front windscreen Daywalker!
As for removing the residue from BMF, I have found that buffing it with a cotton bud works well. It takes a while, and can burnish through un-clearcoated paint. It also looks worse at first, but turns out nicely.
Thanks Guys, for the assist.
Chris
Chris-
PM received.
whatever method you choose, it seems you cracked the canopy because you were trying to cut the masking material while it was on the canopy? Try putting some clay inside the canopy to help support it to release the stress when cutting.
Hey waikong, that is a good idea about the clay. I never would have thought of that. Thanks.[;)]
Chris
Chris- Canopy is in the mail. Enjoy!
Eduards makes a mask for the Tamiya Spitfire MKI, at least they did. You may want to look into that also.
Roy
Frank, your my hero [:D]
Thanks Roy! [:I]
Frank, got it yesterday afternoon. I masked it off with clear scotch tape and masked the bottom of the spit and should be painting it today. Thanks Alot!![:)]
Chris
Chris-
Glad to help! Please post some pics of her when she’s finished!