AK Interactive now has available a full line of various sizes of masking tape for use in many different modelling applications. AK currently has available 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 12mm, and 18mm wide paper masking tape rolls. According to the AK website all the rolls are 20m (65ish feet)in length.
Review
The roll I was provided with for purposes of the review was the 18mm roll. The tape comes on a plastic roller and is m=packed in a fairly sturdy little box. As far as I know AK does not yet offer any kind of dispenser, but at the rate they come out with new products and tools it may not be much longer before they rectify that issue.
Most modellers probably have just a few concerns with paper modelling tape:
1.Does it stick well?
2.Does it seal well and prevent paint from bleeding under?
3.Does it lift-off paint that has already been laid down?
I did a quick test to see how this tape did with these three questions.
The tape was sticky enough to adhere to a small piece of plastic sheet with no problems at all. I did not try to burnish it down in any special way beyond finger pressure along the length of tape that was laid down.
For the second test I used some Tamiya XF-63 German Gray thinned 50/50 with Tamiya lacquer thinner and sprayed through my airbrush. I gave the paint about five minutes to dry before removing the tape and checking for any bleeding under the tape. As you can see, there was no bleeding at all.
For the third and final test I used the previously painted plasticard to see if the tape wouldn't liftoff the paint. As a control I laid down some Tamiya tape (also 18mm as it turned out) just in case there was some unknown issus with the paint. As can see the tape pulled off without issue and left the painted surface completely intact (as did the Tamiya tape as well)
Conclusion
So, there you have it. As far as I can see it does every basic job a modeller may need masking tape to do without any problems at all. Prices that I have seen online vary pretty wildly but AK's website has the largest roll at 4 Euros ($4.50 US) and the 2mm smallest at only 1.30 Euros so it seems very affordable. Providing another choice for modellers is always a good thing
SUMMARY
Highs: Passes all the typical tests; no bleeding paint, doesn't liftoff previously painted layers, and sticks pretty well. Price is right as well. Lows: None that I could find. Verdict: Quality product that I would easily recommend.
Our Thanks to AK Interactive! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
About Rick Cooper (clovis899) FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
I have been modeling for about 30 years now. Once upon a time in another century I owned my own hobby shop; way more work than it was worth. I tip my opti-visor to those who make a real living at it. Mainly build armor these days but I keep working at figures, planes and the occasional ship.
Frank,
Pretty much like you would expect; about the same. I didn't want to do a comparison review but as you can see I did use both tapes for the liftoff test and the results were identical. If I noted any difference it was that the AK was a bit sturdier but that is due to the hard plastic axle they use to wind the tape on whereas Tamiya uses a thick paper axle. If the price is the same I'm guessing most will just opt for whichever brand has built the most loyalty with the consumer.
Cheers,
Rick
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