Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I took the plunge today and airbrushed up a power sword using the standard youtube technique. Worked absolutely great.

Except.

When I ripped the masking tape off side 1 when side 2 was complete, it brought the paint with it. Argh! So I was wondering if there's any tips here that help avoid this. Should I varnish the painted side before applying tape? Is there any special tape to use? I'm just using plain scotch masking tape. Should I wait 24 hours to let the pain cure before taping it up?

Thanks!

I've always found that using regular masking tape works just fine.

I'd suggest really letting the paint dry fully before putting tape to it; sounds like that's what happened. The paint was still a little wet and the tape took it right off. I always allow 12-24 hours for paint to dry before doing anything to include applying tape (for hazard striepes), writing with a micron pen onto a model or applying a varnish. Even though something may LOOK dry, if it's not (looks can be deceiving) then any additional liquid or texture application of any sort will cause problems. Micron pen ink is notorious for this; it appears dry after a few hours but never is. Takes a solid 12 before varnishing over it.

Applying a coat of matte varnish first would be fine, I imagine. You'll just increase the amount of time to allow for drying due to the layer of varnish.

I typically even allow 6-12 hours between layering coats, depending on the humidity levels.

Good luck!

Or try running a very sharp knife along the edge of the tape?

Yeah, the paint wasn't dry yet. OIF Knight has good advice, but I don't wait nearly as long as he does and have had zero problems, acrylic dries pretty fast and I only wait overnight for Vallejo Surface Primer and varnish to dry.

Just remember, when you're watching video tutorials, most of the time things like drying time and model prep are edited out for sake of keeping the video simple and short.

I suggest using blue painters tape.

I have used it to paint multiple layers of paint on my stealth suits I never had a problem with any paint pulling off with the tape.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-74685-36012_Stealth%20Suit%20Camo%20Wip.html

The only other thing I can think of is that the paint was too thick and dried over/on the edge of the tape.

If you find it still happens when your base coat is dry you could also try sticking the masking tape to something else before you stick it to the model. The tape should still have enough grip to hold down but not so much that it pulls the paint up.

 bantha_beast wrote:
If you find it still happens when your base coat is dry you could also try sticking the masking tape to something else before you stick it to the model. The tape should still have enough grip to hold down but not so much that it pulls the paint up.

I agree, I've used regular masking tape applied to the back of my hand first just to reduce the grip as well. Easy done!

Try leaving the paint to completaly dry, maybe being giving it a varnish before putting the tape on.

The trick in the spray industry is to 'de-tack' your tape.

By that i mean to stick it to your tee shirt and pull it off, and restick it a few times, untill its just about tacky enough to do your line, but no more.

Secondly, be very careful when removing masking, its best done while the paint is still wet to save on ripping up the paint film at the edges where it runs onto the tape.

When actually peeling it back, go slow, and pull it back along itself rather than directly away from the surface its stuck to.