Need some suggestions

[Younger]

For the model i'm building I need to paint a wall (styrene) white and red, half and half. What tape or whatefer do you guys use to mask the line, and do you spray a little clear on the seam to prevent bleedthrough?
-Younger

[Ray Dunakin]

Personally I like to use a good quality vinyl electrical tape.

Never heard of anyone spraying clear over it to eliminate bleed-under, but I have heard of people doing a light spray of the base color before applying the second color.

[DaKra]

These days, unless the 1/1 scale prototype was spray painted, I brush paint.   One of the benefits of switching from ships and armor to civilian modeling is I don't have to clean the airbrush as much.        So, no need for a mask if you're following the line of clapboard or brick.   Brushed results have a realistic "patina" for want of a better word.     

On the issue of spray paint "creep" its really only a problem if you go on thick and wet, as from a rattle can.  Then a clear coat can help.  With an airbrush, thin, light passes angled slightly away from the underside of the tape should not require the additional clear coat.

Dave   

[marc_reusser]

I agree with Dave on the airbrush application approach. If you use a clear coat or any heavy coat along the tape, you will end up with a thick edge/lip between the two colors....very unrealistic and unnatural.

As par as the tape is concerned, I really like the Tamiya masking tape, however, it has pretty strong tack, and on wood, this might cause it to pull up some slivers if not careful. I also like to use the "Friskit" sheets available at art stores.  I just cut the shape or strip I need....these are lower tack, but hold a nice clean edge if used as described by Dave, the drawback is because of the lower tack, they are difficult to work with and get into corners on things like clapboard.

M

[JohnP]

It also helps not to spray directly at the tape edge but spray from the side the tape is on.

John

[gin sot]

I really like the Tamiya masking tape, however, it has pretty strong tack, and on wood, this might cause it to pull up some slivers if not careful.

I reduce the tack on overly sticky tape by sticking it to my forehead before putting it on the model.

Seriously.

[Younger]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys, I'll play with a few, and let you know the results.
-Younger