Masking the edge of an aircraft's wing

[Looks ABitSquint]

Hi,

My son and I are painting a Spitfire with an air brush. The top and bottom of the wing are different colours. We're using water-based acryllic paints

Given that the wing isn't straight, what's the best way to get a sharp line between the two colours of paint, on the very edge of the wing?

Any tips much appreciated.

Thanks!

[peebeep]

Use masking tape, personally I prefer the yellow Kabuki type. Cut a thinnish strip to make it easier to conform to the curved surfaces and burnish it at the edges. Spray the colour being masked to seal the edge, then the top colour.

[Ratch]

The only thing I'd add to Paul's advice is that it only needs to stick along the demarcation line. If you spray the underside first (usually the lighter colour), then mask and spray from above. If you're careful you won't put any paint where it's not wanted.

[Looks ABitSquint]

Use masking tape, personally I prefer the yellow Kabuki type. Cut a thinnish strip to make it easier to conform to the curved surfaces and burnish it at the edges. Spray the colour being masked to seal the edge, then the top colour.

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

Apologies for being dim. But do I just get the masking tape, lay the wing onto it and cut the excess away until it follows the curve of the wing?

[Looks ABitSquint]

Thank you! I will do exactly this on an old model plane I have that I am using as a test bed. Hopefully I can make my mistakes on that first!

[Darren-345957]

Another alternative is masking putty or blue tack. Generally only the leading edge needs masking as the back is thin and can just be sprayed from above/below.