I'm having an AWFUL time with masking tape pulling off paint. I've primed the surface first, I'm airbrushing acrylics on and letting them dry.

I started out using regular masking tape, and I've tried the blue painter's tape, but I'm still having problems.

One thought I had was to use my hands to take some of the "sticky" off the tape so it isn't so strong before I put it on.

I'm trying to do the hull on Tamiya's 1/350 Missouri, so I've got LONG straight stretches of tape.


Any suggestions?

I had the same problem and decided to suck it up and use the expensive Tamiya tape. I use Tamiya tape for the hard edge and then a very light adhesive painters tape (purple color and can't remember the brand) for everything else. I always prime now and make sure to seal with a coat of future before I mask. This usually does the trick.

I second that on the Tamiya Tape! Haven't had any problems with it. Four different sizes, you can't go wrong.

I buy my masking tape from an art shop - low tack and good straight edges. Never had much problem with paint bleeding under the tape and no pulling paint off of the model. Cheaper than Tamiya tape in the UK too. The last reel was branded as '3m'.

I use Tamiya masking tape. Never caused me any problems.

I have a solid answer for you. I was an automotive painter for years. First I assume that the paint your pulling off is just the paint and not the primer. Probally because the paint adheres to plastic that is scuffed up better than primer. If your going to use primer, scuff up the plastic first, apply primer, scuff primer, and apply paint. Personally I do not use primer. Second, I only use blue tape, if your still have a problem with it. Try a couple of different things. All blue tapes have different adhension rates. If you by Scotch brand it is rated for different holding rates. You want to keep an eye out for that. You can also use thinner tape. If your uing 3/4 inch tape, try using 1/4 inch wide. This usually can be removed easier. Then you can apply 3/4 inch to the 1/4.

Hope this helps,
Jay

Thanks for all the tips!

One of the problems was that I hadn't scuffed the surface before applying the primer, so the adhesion of the tape was evidently greater than that of the primer to plastic.

I've been using some 3-M "painter's tape", and because of the fact I'm doing the hull of a battleship, the width of the tape is about 2 inches, which helps cover larger areas but does seem pretty sticky. I'd call it more of a "blue" color rather than a purple, and if there are different colors for different strengths of adhesive, I need the less sticky stuff.

I was doing some more work last night, and as a "workaround" I simply used my hands on the sticky side to take some of the adhesive off before I applied it to the model and that seems to work. I do seem to need to be a bit more careful with the edge when there's less adhesive, but at least it's not pulling off the paint that's already on there!

Thanks!!!

Tom