What is the best masking tape?

[Rocky]

I recently painted a model, using blue tape to mask, and I had a lot of paint bleed under the tape. A few days ago I was in a hardware store, and I saw two brands of tape that advertised that their tape did not allow paint to bleed under it, leaving a sharper edge than a competitor. One was a 3M blue tape, and I forget the other. It was green, and had a frog pictured on it. What masking tape do you use, and have any of you tried these better masking tapes? Is there really a difference?

[huntermountain]

I painted our bedroom a few months back, and used the low tack masking tape the paint store sold. I've been using that same tape for masking models since then, and I'm very happy with it. When burnished down properly, there's no bleed under, and I haven't had any problems with glue residue or paint lifting when removing the tape. As for price, it's expensive compared to other painters tape. It's dirt cheap compared to Tamiya tape. The name on the purple tape is 'Storch'(probably a German company).

[nerdling]

The green tape you mentioned is actually called Frog Tape. They also market a lower tack version that is much like Tamiya tape. I've been using both kinds for awhile now and have had no major issues with paint bleed. Walmart sells both types for fairly cheap. Just make sure the edges are burnished down. The only time I'v had issues was when I forgot to do that.

[Air-Craft]

Tamiya tape is definitely one of the better & more available for general model masking, there are several other brands that are comparable though, Kamoi (who possibly manufacture for Tamiya), micron & Stuk coming to mind. These tapes can be expensive, so in-filling with cheaper low tack tape can save.

Other than going to ridiculously thin tape sizes or cutting existing tape down, these tapes will only turn on curves so far without wrinkling or lifting - a good alternative for tight curves / corners is automotive PVC "fineline" tape.

[ChippyWho]

If a masking medium works, fine -but it is one area you really need to avoid financial corner-cutting! Yellow Tamiya tape is still #1 in my book; you can get it to follow curves better by cutting slits in the concave side, almost right through, then daubing Liquid Mask over the middle areas.

For other, low-tack or reverse-masking applications (wing walkways, etc.) try the range of ultra-narrow tapes (regular and PVC) by Jammydog.

Edited May 2, 2014 by ChippyWho

[k5ikl]

Tamiya tape all the way. I use nothing else...

Cheers,

Jerry

[balls47]

Yessir, The probable reason that the paint bled under the tape was that it wasn't burnished well enough. Continuing on, I use different tapes for different tasks. However, if I was told that I could only have one brand of masking tape in my arsenal that had to be used for every masking duty, it would be Tamiya, hands down. I have actually used Tamiya for just about everything. So, unless otherwise stated, Tamiya goes with everything below. Here we go:

1. Canopies - Parafilm "M

- 3M first aid tape called "Blenderm" This stuff is flexible and waterproof. I don't know what they

call it now. I bought several rolls of it a few years ago, so I have no need to buy more.

- green and yellow Frogtape

- generic, very low tack masking tape that I bought at Hobby Lobby.

- Bare Metal Foil

- This isn't a tape, but I use liquid masking agents from Micro Mark and Microscale. I usually let

the first coat dry, then put down a second and sometimes a third coat. If you put down just one

coat, the stuff can be a bear to get off.

- If I have a "greenhouse canopy" or something with a lot of masking, I'll buy the Eduard Masks

that go with the specific kit that I am building. I have found that they work great if you take

your time putting them in place and burnish them down well.

2. General - All of the above, except for Bare Metal Foil. I guess I haven't found a reason to use Bare Metal

Foil for anything other than canopies. And, the stuff is expensive, but worth the $$$.

- Roll of good, qualitypaper mask that they use at body shops. Mask the edges with a good product

like Tamiya. Cut out paper from your roll so that it will fit the unmasked area. At this point, you

can use some cheaper type of masking tape to tape the paper onto your area that needs to be masked.

Make sure that you don't soak the paper when painting. Use misty coats of paint until you are happy

with your paint job.

ChippyWho gives great advice on financial corner-cutting. In other words, you get what you pay for. It has also

been mentioned several times. Make sure that your masking tape, whatever brand, it well burnished down. Good Luck!

[RichardL]

A good burnisher and a roll of Tamiya.

[balls47]

Hey Rocky, Richard L. is absolutely right. I should have been a little bit more specific. I use Tamiya tape about

95% of the time. All of the other "stuff" that I listed was just that, stuff. I have it in case I need it, but, again, Tamiya tape is your best friend when it comes to masking.

[Joel_W]

I'll just chime in with another vote for Tamiya tape. Never had any issues with paint bleeding under it. And I even detack the tape by 1st applying it to my skin when I mask on top of raw paint or Allcads. I do tend to seal major layers of paint with Glosscoat, so then detacking isn't necessary. I do fill in larger areas with regular masking tape that is also detacked but only lightly touching the painted surface.

Joel

[Netz]

I see allot of modelers refer to "Hardware Store" brand tapes such as Blue Tape and Frog, note these are made for Household use and not modeling,you really can't compare them to Hobby produced products.

So my thumbs up for Tamiya tape, as there aren't too many other readily available products made specifically for the scale modeler.

With that, this is my method of masking areas off, the picture is pretty self explanatory, the only thing touching the painted surface is the Tamiya tape.

Another good product to use for masking as mentioned above is Para Film M, I like to use it on NMF as you can cover a panel and cut it along the panel line with a sharp "Curved" blade, it's very quick and easy.

Curt

[RichardL]

I do fill in larger areas with regular masking tape

I fill in larger areas with either post-it notes or plastic food wrap.

[RichardL]

I also use Tamiya masking sheets. No paint bleeding here:

[Mike C]

Tamiya tape for me. As long as it's applied properly, no bleed at all. It's also very easy to cut using new #11 X-acto blade.

[scotthldr]

Tamiya tape all the way except for when I'm masking off radomes for which I use automotive 2mm pin stripe pvc tape.

I think the bigger issue with paint bleed is down to the wrong paint mixture and wrong method of application. Get the paint mixture right, get the spraying pressure down as far as you can(10psi, if you can spray at this pressure then you have the correct mixture)and mist the first couple of coats on at 90 degrees to the tape edge.

[nerdling]

I see allot of modelers refer to "Hardware Store" brand tapes such as Blue Tape and Frog, note these are made for Household use and not modeling,you really can't compare them to Hobby produced products.

So my thumbs up for Tamiya tape, as there aren't too many other readily available products made specifically for the scale modeler.

With that, this is my method of masking areas off, the picture is pretty self explanatory, the only thing touching the painted surface is the Tamiya tape.

Another good product to use for masking as mentioned above is Para Film M, I like to use it on NMF as you can cover a panel and cut it along the panel line with a sharp "Curved" blade, it's very quick and easy.

Curt

Have you tried the Yellow Frog tape though? It is literally the same thing. You also get quite a bit more of it for a cheaper price.

[Shaka HI]

Have you tried the Yellow Frog tape though? It is literally the same thing. You also get quite a bit more of it for a cheaper price.

Really?

I've got the green stuff, but it's bit stiff. I'll look for the yellow stuff. I love the Tamiya tape, but it's pretty expensive for the amount you get. But if the Yellow Frog is as "malleable" as Tamiya's stuff -- it would be awesome.

[dnl42]

Another vote for Tamiya! I find it very easy to get crisp bleed-less edges. A technique you could try with Some Other Tape would be to spray the current color to seal the edge (bleed doesn't matter here) and then spray the next color once the sealing color dries. Have never had to do that with Tamiya, but have used it in the past.

For canopies or places where I need intricate cuts, I also use 3M Parafilm. You've got to use it correctly, but it's great stuff for those special jobs.

[RichardL]

I love the Tamiya tape, but it's pretty expensive for the amount you get.

You get what you pay for. Cheap out, and you'll get less than satisfactory results.

[Shaka HI]

You get what you pay for. Cheap out, and you'll get less than satisfactory results.

Have you even tried the Yellow Frog tape? Can you share your experience? I don't like paying more for items that perform equally with competing products. I can afford Tamiya tape and prefer to use it exclusively (cheap masking tape is way too tacky and inflexible).

I can't seem to source this locally and ordered it online and will report back.

I love the Tamiya tape and use it to get very sharp lines, but it is expensive and I am no way saying that it's not cost-effective -- Yet. We will see.

[nerdling]

Have you even tried the Yellow Frog tape? Can you share your experience? I don't like paying more for items that perform equally with competing products. I can afford Tamiya tape and prefer to use it exclusively (cheap masking tape is way too tacky and inflexible).

I can't seem to source this locally and ordered it online and will report back.

I love the Tamiya tape and use it to get very sharp lines, but it is expensive and I am no way saying that it's not cost-effective -- Yet. We will see.

I just finished this build up a few weeks ago and used yellow Frog Tape to paint the tail stripes. Worked great for me.

[Joel_W]

Nerdling,

That's a really nicely done F4F. It that the Tamiya 1/48 F4F ?

Joel

[nerdling]

Nerdling,

That's a really nicely done F4F. It that the Tamiya 1/48 F4F ?

Joel

Yes it is. I'll post some photos of it over in the Display section today.

[Shaka HI]

Well..tried a fairly out of way Walmart for me...Cost is under $7 (that Tamiya roll in the pict cost me $6 locally!!!!). Slightly thinner and seems a little less flexible than Tamiya's tape, but I highly doubt that the Tamiya tape would perform any better. Thanks Nerdling!

Now I can mask with abandon!

[RichardL]

Have you even tried the Yellow Frog tape? Can you share your experience?

Sure did last Winter and was not impressed. I can get a huge roll of Tamiya masking tape refill from my hobby shop for $3.90, so there is no reason for me to take a risk.