I’ve been using regular low-tack masking tape I get at the art supply store for about 69c for the past few years, and found it quite reliable. I have however seen many people using Tamiya masking tape, which is considerably more expensive, but is it any better? Keeping in mind that I’m a student on a budget, could anybody suggest why I would want to get and use this stuff?
p.s. this forum and many of the resources it links to are great.
First of all, welcome to the forum.
Tamiya masking tape is the mutts nuts as far as I’m concerned (that means it’s good). The low tack means it doesn’t rip up earlier paint layers. It doesn’t leave any residue, gives very sharp edges. And it comes in a handy dispenser which stops it getting dust on the edges.
A roll of tape lasts me a long time because I don’t use it for covering large areas. I just mask the edges with Tamiya and fill out the rest with cheap low tack tape. I always make sure I have a supply of it, and I’m a student on a budget too.
hope this helps.
I use it all the time EXCEPT I have found a problem. I used to mask, spray and then leave until the paint was dry before removing the tape. I don’t have a spray booth so spray outside and then leave the model behind a window in view of the sun. I found that the heat would result in the Tamiya masking tape low tack glue reacting with the underlaying paint and leaving marks in the paint beneath. Now I remove the mask minutes after painting (say around 10 minutes after spaying) and no problems.
ditto… the stuff is worth every penny… ESPECIALLY for masking canopies… it bends around curves good, burnishes down with no paint bleed through etc…
Model Master makes it too, I think it’s a little cheaper and it looks and acts like the same exact tape…
I love it, depending on the kit I can go through 2~3 rolls.
Yup, some of the Kits it do require a LOT of masking.
I use Tamiya tape mostly for canopies or sharp camo demarcation such as Luftwaffe splinter. It’s an excellent tape for these purposes. It’s very similar to the tape marketed by ModelMaster, but I don’t think it’s identical. I prefer the Tamiya version. Masking tape should always be removed as soon as possible after painting.
Regards, Rick
[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]
‘Mutts nuts’
Haven’t heard that saying in a LOOOOOOONG time.
Anyway, I find the Tamiya tape very useful.
I have a constant supply of the 10 and 18mm on my bench at all times.
I also have the 40mm roll, but I do not advise using the 40 for masking paint work, it DOES leave a residue.
I also dont use Tamiya tape for canopies, as I find BMF to be 1000% better in all aspects.
If your cheap tape is giving you the results your after, stick with it, sometimes change isn’t a good thing.
Thanks for all the replies.
“Mutts Nutts”–ha ha. Very good.
Tweety: what’s BMF?
Mutts Nutts–gotta remember that one…
BMF = Bare Metal Foil.
i use tamiya tape in most applications, but to save money, i use normal no-brand masking tape where it doesnt need tamiya performance
hey, ill use tamiya tape for the edges, and then fill in the rest with cheap tape (using my forehead to reduce tack) and aluminum foil…
and in regards to the tape ur usinf, im a beliver of if it aint broke, dont fix it… but u probably get a roll and see if it is much better than what ur using now… and the tamiya rolls will last a while if u just use it for edges
hey this question is kinda has nothing to do with the topic, but it kinda does so here goes…
has anyone here cut parts apart to make it easier to paint coz maskin is really hjard.(the engine block on my clk dtm made my head hurt thinking bout how to mask it, so i just cut it apart, glued in some styreme to make up the lost plastic)
does anyone here do this?? i wish i had a pic to show u guys what it was like, but i think u will get my gist…