Gday All,
I am interested to hear about the different methods people use to mask models when using an airbrush. Specifically with regards to camouflage patterns on German Armour. I wish to end up with a soft edge but want to avoid overspray in between.
I am only new to airbrushing and for my first attempt I simply freehand sprayed the cam pattern with no masking using acrylics. I may have used the wrong spray head or just haven't practiced enough but I found I had overspray in between which detracted from the overall effect. The soft edge was, I suppose, too soft.
I use an Aztec 470 and had the tan nozzle on.

Any hints would be appreciated.

Regards
Alex H

Hi Alex... I guess like what most will say, practice makes perfect. Get some cheap kit, build it up and practice spraying. You can also get a piece of plastic sheet and practice on it...

As for masking, one method would be to use "Blue-Tac" (don't know if it's the same in Australia). All you got to do is stick them onto your model, leaving kind of like a gap where the paint is going to be sprayed on. Then continue until you're satisfied with your paint job.

You can reuse the blue-tac too! Nothing's wasted.

HTH..

G'day Alex,

Was the spray uniformly too soft (Bleeding into the other colours) or was it irregular splattering?


P.S I'll pop those DVD's in the post tomorrow

Blu-tak is the winner - you can do some great patterns with it and masking tape. Just remember to mask off EVERYTHING. I've tried to cut corners in the past by just masking around the area, but no matter how careful I am or how low I set the compressor, I end up with random spray where it should not be!!

I can’t help with German WW2 camo but for Nato 3 colour camo I spray grey black first. Then mask with just blu-tak (to leave the black strips) and spray green over the model. Then using paper, blu-tak and masking tape I mask the whole model for the final touch of brown. I’ve found this is the best method for me.

If I were to model a WW2 German tank I would start with brown, mask off with blue-tac and then spray dark yellow, then mask off the whole thing for the final green. This may or may not be the best way and I’m sure others will have a view.

Andy,
Mate I think it was a technique problem more than anything. Firstly I need more practice with the brush but also I would like some idea on when where and how people use masking on camouflage etc.

Alex

PS Yours is in the post too.

Saw an article in FSM a little while ago about using silly putty.. Yes, the stuff that comes in an egg..Roll it out and put it on where you want your edges, and spray away..

Dave

Try PVA glue as mask.

Really.. The white glue is removable when dry??

Dave

Yup, you can peel them off...try it on any platic first just to be sure...

I read an article in FSM where the author used post-it notes.... He cut them to the pattern he wanted, then placed then on the plane. He did the camo scheme on a Spitfire with this method.... I tryed it on a 1/72 scale Spitfire and it DID work as far as a soft edge.

HTH.......



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