Question for y’all: How do you typically mask wheel wells, cockpits, etc. when you airbrush? I’ve been working on a 1/72 Ki-63 and I think I spent 2 hours trying to fill the wheel wells so they wouldn’t get sprayed with the lower surface color. Tape isn’t gonna cut it, since these are concave; I’d have to tape the entire inner surface, which…seems excessive. I tried some damp tissues, but couldn’t get them to pack in and stay there. I’m concerned if I use the tacky putty that I could pull color off, and I’m worried that silly putty would leave marks. I get that at large scales you can often use some soft foam to expand a bit, but I couldn’t get anything to stay inside a 1/8" deep well. Ideas?
I usually use damp bits of paper towels and stuff them in to fill the void. I’ve seen folks use pieces of foam or sponge as well. There’s a new product out there specifically designed for this - but seems like a pricey option
https://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?products_id=11782
1 Like
Maybe try Crayola modeling clay? I haven’t tried it in the exact use case you’re looking at. But I have used it to hold painted parts in position and didn’t notice any ill effects.
Silly Putty. About $2 at any dollar store. Conforms to concave surfaces and fills them in completely but very easy to remove with no left over residue. Once done just peel it all off wad it back into a ball and throw in back in it’s container for next time. I have used my container of it for over 15 years now and it is still going strong even if it is now an odd colour.
1 Like
I usually tape the walls of the wells only, using excess tape, they stick out just under inch. Thatvis enough yo block overspray if you stay conscious of the airbrush angle.
I gradually fill them with moistened facial tissues pressing them in with tooth picks until they fill the well.
The cockpit I mask with the masked off canopy.
You could also paint the bottom of the a/c then mask around the wheel wells and then spray inside them.
I looked for this at a local Dollarama (in Canada) and they didn’t have it. Perhaps because it was one of their smaller stores. Will have to try Dollar Tree or Toys R Us. Thanks.
I see it at Dollar Tree on a regular basis. I always check their toy section when we go in since you never know what you may find.
1 Like
Ahoy gomeral. It’s silly putty for me. Haven’t had a paint problem yet.
1 Like