Problem with flames

TheEvo · Post by **TheEvo** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 7:06 am

Well, i re-did a body for my mini-z, and while i was painting it my good ol' dad says "You should take the masking off BEFORE the paint is completely dry!"

...So i did, and the flames(its actually more like spikes) got.. You know, the edge got err, edgy? In any case they were ugly.

Now im wondering that if now i waited till the paint was completely dry - would that make the edges sharp?

And im of course re-doing it again.

crazydave · Post by **crazydave** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 8:55 am

Yes, let the paint dry completely before taking off the mask.

I will even lightly trace around the edge of the mask with an exacto blade, to make sure the edge comes clean

Ahh5hit · Post by **Ahh5hit** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:06 pm

Hmm, not to confuse the lad or anybody else, but I've always removed the masking before it was completely dry, but not too early, depends on the paint you are using.

But crazydave has put out some of the best jobs so...

I've had bad experiences with the paint cracking or chipping along the edges when I wait till it is completely dry, again, probably due to the type of paint. I use Tamiya sprays which dry rather quickly anyway, but I usually remove the masking about 30 mins after the last coats and I've gotten good results.

And like Dave said, you will get cleaner lines if your edge has been cut with an Xacto knife. I also use Tamiya masking tape and it has some damn straight edges to begin with and is a lot better quality than regular "home painting" tape.

Just my 2 pennies...

hogjowlz · Post by **hogjowlz** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:08 pm

ya ive been getting good results with "tartan" auto masking tape lately.

TheEvo · Post by **TheEvo** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 4:23 pm

Tamiya is damn nice yes.

Im using "home masking tape" and so far is works great. The edges seems to be very "straight".

But i will, of course, let any of you guys know if i screw up, acquire new skills, etc. etc. etc.

crazydave · Post by **crazydave** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 6:33 pm

Yeah Ahh5hit is right on 2 accounts. I'm sorry I should have been more clear. I was in kinda a hurry ya know.

1. Yes absolutely it depends on the brand of paint, I forgot not everyone uses the same stuff as me.

2. This is the part where I wasn't clear, by dry I meant not wet. While I have never really had a problem, you can have issues if it sits there for a day or 2.

...and when I talked of tracing around it with the exacto, I meant after I paint it, right before I peel the tape off. You don't want to go all the way through the paint, just give it a nice line to break off cleanly at.