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.

I have questions about using tape to mask a mini to help with straight lines. Is it possible? If so what kind of tape is best? Regular masking tape cut with a knife?

I want to paint the company markings on the knee pads of my space marines, but I don't trust my ability to paint a straight line...any other ideas you folks may have I'm open to!

Tamiya masking tape, beware of any tape used: always put it on a shirt or pants before onto a model to remove some of its tac.

If you're going to use masking tape, get painter's tape. It's usually blue or green, and it's very low tack so it won't pull paint off when you remove it. I would practice painting a straight line, it's not that hard and doesn't take a lot of practice, and it's less time consuming than masking off such a small area. A good brush helps as well.

This is what you want:

It is very low-tack and comes a variety of sizes, with 6mm being the smallest I believe. If you look at the Grey Knight terminators in my gallery, I used it to make the heraldry on their tilt-shields and shoulder pads.

You can use regular painter's tape (the blue kind) or even standard masking tape (the beige kind) for large areas. I'm not a fan of putting on your shirt before putting it on the model as it can lead to fuzzies from the shirt or animal fur getting stuck on the tape. If the model is primed properly and the underlying layer of paint is completely dry, you shouldn't pull anything off using regular painter's tape or the Tamiya tape. You can also use silly putty and poster-tac for masking as well.

Keep in mind that masking areas with tape and poster-tac is more for airbrushing versus brush painting.

I will third the recommendation for Tamiya's masking tape for small work. Blue painters tape is good for larger work.

I like using "Frog Tape" painters tape:


Works like a charm for me, whether it's on the wall, or on a model. I find that having to reduce the tack on it (sticking to your pants or shirt to pick up a bit of lint) is unnecessary, just ensure that the paints are well cured on a primed surface. If I'm ever nervous about it, I seal the model first with clearcoat then go to town, as it only adds another layer of defense against wear and tear.

I use a mix of Tamiya and blue painters tape. The Tamiya is great for the smaller areas and when you only need a little tape. It has the perfect amount of tack and pulls up very easily after use.

Eclipseone wrote:
Tamiya masking tape, beware of any tape used: always put it on a shirt or pants before onto a model to remove some of its tac.

I agree but not on clothing, they can pick up fine hair and such and leave some annoying textures on your mini. I just use my thumb and dab it on a few times over. Works like a charm


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh forgot to tell you a tip.

Once the tape is applied, and you start to paint, dry brush lightly the color youre about to use starting from the tape, and going outward to the mini in question. That way you dont get seepage under the tape. Drybrush first, blow dry and then paint like a mad man

My best masking advice is to allow the undercoat(s) and primer dry completely prior to applying the tape or you will peel off these coats with the tape. Don't leave the tape on too long either. But the drying prior is key.

Not a great painter but here are my experiements for salamanders:











Automatically Appended Next Post:

Tamiya hobby tape. Excellent and comes in the narrow widths you want for hazard stripes, checker patterns, etc.

If the tamiya tape only comes dwn to 6mm width, check 3M fineline tape (it might be cheaper and equal if not better tbh)
they go down to 3mm, and then if you need less that that, theres pin striping tape too.

Aizu micron masking tape goes down as far as 0.4mm if you really want to mask something that small. Extremely low tack as well.

I had problems with regular masking tape on resin mini's taking off paint, so probably avoid that on resin or metal