I’ve read that some of you use Scotch tape to mask for painting, especially to mask aircraft canopies. I’m thinking of trying the technique myself, but I wanted to ask you all what sort of experiences you’ve had with it, to avoid pitfalls, if possible.
One thing that comes to mind immediately, from using ordinary masking tape myself, is that I would want to “de-stick” the tape, remove some of the adhesive, which I do with masking tape. I stick it to a clean surface and pull it off, to avoid having it stick too well to the surface to be painted. Do any of you do the same thing with Scotch tape?
Does it leave a residue that has to be removed?
Is it easier to cut/trim along frame lines, because the tape is clear, or nearly clear, and so you can see the subject better?
Do you take care to burnish the cut edges? I imagine I would have to, just as with other masking materials.
Do you use ordinary, over-the-counter 3M Scotch tape, are any brands better than others?
I used it once and had bad result, not saying you will but i switched over to tamiya brand tape and also have just bought shuretape razors edge masking tape from a local schewin williams store it identical to tamiya tape.
I was a big Scotch tape user…then I discovered Tamiya tape. Scotch tape does have both pros and cons, the biggest con is residue and it tears easily when removing it. Which forces you to work at getting it off, causing scratches or damaging the part or paint you’ve just applied.
I like using Tamiya it cuts cleanly and is transparent enough that if you hold it up to a light source you can trim it easily along the canopy framing.
I used to use 3M Scotch tape but not anymore, for the above reasons… When I didn’t have any masking tape, I used it, but nowadays there’s really no reason to… I keep it for holding parts together though, so it’s still on the bench…
I don’t buy “Hobby brand” tapes though, there’s better deals at the hardware and craft stores… Hope my LHS guy ain’t readin’ here…
In a pinch when you can’t find the Tamiya tape, I have used Scotch “Peelable” tape. It is much lower tack than regular clear tape of any brand and, if removed within a reasonable time (a day or two), it leaves no residue. One significant drawback is that you cannot stretch it no matter how hard you try. Other than that, however, it does work pretty well giving a sharp edge.
Thanks for all of the input, guys! I’m going to mess around with the clear tape and see how it comes out. I’m expecting to get a camera soon, and will finally be able to post some pics.
no matter what tape I am using, I make sure to press it down on a clean surface once or thrice before using it, gets most of the super stickeyness thats a problem off of it and allows it to work well for masking. Heck, I used double sided tape and some paper to mask a large thing yesterday, I did thething I said with the double sided tape and it worked fine.
The residue can be removed fairly easily. The tearing is the biggest problem with scotch tape. I used to use it for masking canopies. It would always splinter when I removed it. I got really good at cutting the edge of a toothpick like a wedge and using that to scrape it up.
Now that I’ve discovered Tamiya tape, that’s all in the past.
You can make the canopy framing out of Scotch Tape. Ditch the masking idea altogether!
With the “frosted” kind you can paint it the color of the framework, cut it into strips and stick it on. It’s too easy! I’ve done a combination of hand painting some of the more compound and complex framing then use the Scotch Tape framework were I could. My Mitsubishi “Betty” was done that way.
It has the benefit on not only being amazingly simple but it also makes a miniscule edge like real framework over the glass.
I am so glad I stumbled upon this post. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to do the framing on an old MPC Heinke He-111 poorly made forward glass. Thanks [tup]
This old Airfix sold under MPC two piece forward glass had little to be desired. I used the Painted Scotch Tape and it was really easy. I used a lot of Modelers License for the frame work on the blobby forward section.
Trexx, since I read your comment I have been playing around with using tape for framing. I work almost exclusively in 1/72 so masking is a real challenge; the framing concept appeals to me, even though it, too, is a pretty good challenge for these aging eyeballs. Anyway, so far I have been experimenting with a 1/72 Zero canopy using Tamiya tape (unpainted for my doodling). I like the way it looks, but now I have a few questions:
At this small scale, there is not a lot of adhesive surface so when I trim the ends, the entire piece tends to move around. Is there a particular technique that proves best for trimming, other than a sharp blade, that is?
There has been some lifting after a couple of hours which, again, may be because of the small sizes I have to use. Do you have any problems with the tape lifting over a period of time?
Would there be any reason not to lay on a coat of Future as a fixative after the framing is complete?
