I’ve been using the yellow frog tape from Wal-mart for about two years now, i love it, I guess cuz I’m cheap. I’ll use regular masking tape for holding other things together.
John
I’ve tried so many, agree that overall Tamiya is the best. But I have had really good results for tight curve masking, with one called “Duck” brand blue tape. I cut it into ultra thin strips, it will conform to and hold a very tight curve, haven’t encountered residue remaining, clean line separation.
Made in USA, bought it either at hardware store or Wally World. Cheap, works, happy. But, still it’s 90% Tamiya for me.
Patrick
I think I got the message! Tamayi tape ordered today. Some of my most famous disasters have been masking problems like paint pull up and seeping under. Thanks guys, I’ll give it a shot!
Max
What is the trick to using Tamiya tape? I have several rolls and I have the worst luck getting it to stick. Many times I have to resort to masking tape. Ron W.
Well, it’s supposed to be low-tack, so it’s not as sticky as blue painter’s tape or masking tape (ascending order of adhesion). I burnish it down with a finger, or the tip of a paintbrush handle or a toothpick, depending on the situation (eg, toothpick when masking a 1/48 airplane canopy).
I won’t go back to masking tape, which I find too tacky, even when you use the trick of sticking it to something to remove some of the adhesive. It’s too easy to damage the surface below, if you use it over paint, or to leave adhesive residue behind, which you have to clean up.
Have you thought about using masking fluids? You apply them, paint, then peel the mask off? That might work better for you.
Best regards,
Brad
Whatever masking tape you use be sure to keep it clean.
At one time I kept all my tape loose in a plastic box. I looked at the edges and there was all kinds of crap stuck to the sides of the tape. Nicks and dents too. These problems can allow paint to leak under the tape.
I now keep each roll in an individual zip lock bag and I’m careful about tossing it around.
excellent point mitsdude , never thought of that .
I’ll second what Mitsdude said. I am currently using up some tape that had been placed on a dusty table. The edges of the roll picked up all kinds of junk, even cat hair. Now, when I am masking, I have to pull off all that garbage because it could get plastered down into the paint during airbrushing. It’s a pain, and I made up my mind that I won’t make that mistake again. Keeping the tape in a zip lock bag is a great idea.
To the OP’s question: I use Tamiya tape. It has just the right amount of stick to it. For non-critical jobs, like to mask off for overspray, I will use painters tape. It is less expensive to use.
Thanks for the input on Tamiya tape. I do keep my tape in bags. Sometimes I don’t clean the newly opened plastic, and when I do, probably not good enough. I use masking liquid when I don’t need straight lines, such as waterlines. My feeling is I need to clean the plastic of mold release better and better burnishing.
Another question, how does Testor’s tape compare?
Ron W.
I have used it- 1/16 width version. It works and was narrower than Tamiya offered at the time. It works okay, but it is not as good as Tamiya.
Thanks Don.