A couple of basic questions for the paint masters

[orangemazda]

I absolutely hate painting bodys because I suck at it...especially the masking part.

Does anyone out there offer precut window mask sticker/tape for the Turbo Mirage and the Protech Buggy body?

Poorly masked windows is one of my biggest pet peeves, and again, I'm terrible at it!

My second question is, what is the best cleaner to use to remove Sharpie? Rubbing alcohol?

Thanks

[R Cane]

Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol is indeed a great remover for permanent markers.

[TRX-1-3]

Scotch tape. I've had luck with fine point sharpie outlining the windows on the outside and then cover the windows on the inside with scotch tape strips and then exact-o knife the tape on the sharpie lines and remove the excess. Press the edges and seams down real good with a fingernail or a Q-tip and you are golden. Overall paint scheme aside these windows were masked using the above "technique".

file.jpeg (31.75 KiB) Viewed 1571 times

file.jpeg (31.75 KiB) Viewed 1571 times

And props to SMOKE-DOG for introducing me to scotch tape for masking on lexan.

[lmw94002]

i used to trace windows from the outside of the body on paper and then lay a nice wide piece of masking tape on waxed paper. transfer the outline, cut w/ scissors, and then use a small flathead i had to help me lineup and place the mask on the inside of the body on the window. Used a little rubber spatula type thing to press down the edges to help make a good seal.

Best tips I have from my own poor tape edges... 1) make sure the inside is clean and free of oils... 2) make the first few coats of spray very very light.

Another trick i learned...
Working around the curves is tough, so i often used a narrow striping tape (or even thin strips of vinyl decal material) for the edge w/ a #2 pencil eraser to help run the edge over the non-flat surface. The striping tape/vinyl is a little more ductile than masking tape and can stretch a little. Then came back w/ my regular masking tape

[orangemazda]

Thanks for the tips guys

[rctenracer]

Have you tried liquid mask? If not I lay the masking tape inside on the windows and trace out with a pen . Holding the body up to a light when tracing helps to.