Im looking to paint a new case and hoping to do some fairly intricate designs this is going ot require painting different colors of paint in different ares. Im going to put down a primer on the whole case. THen im going to paint the main color. after that im going to paint some detail work in an area that the main color didnt go on. So i was wondering what you guys think of masking over the primary color. Im going to clear coat when all the other colors are down. The main question really is will putting the masking tape on the primary areas before i clear coat effect the final finish. This finish needs to be PERFECTLY smooth. Someone mentioned to me a trick about using vaseline instead of mask but im not sure how well this will work. also do you have any good tips/cleaning solutions for getting off any residue left by the mask
if i really confused you just say so ill try to clarify things

i have been wondering the same thing. i wanted to make a big intricate art on my panel and using a small stencils like in insom's guide would definitely not be practical. i wasnt sure if it would be better to instead use the stencil idea with like a huge posterboard or something and tape that to the side

edit: if using a stencil would the stencil soak up the paint and ruin the detail?

If you shop around you can find a tape that is less sensitive, less sticky, for just that purpose.
I have rubbed the masking tape across my pantleg and got good results that way too...
Just remember to remove it before the paint completely dries to avoid chipping at the edges...
less paint you use the easier it will be to get smooth and the better the paint-job IMO.
...there will be some Paint-Pimps that will be here soon to fill in the blanks...

Hey Sum, make sure you sand the case very well and make sure the paint you will be taping to is very dry and you will be ok.

If you do not sand it well it will peel when you pull the tape off.
If you out tape on wet paint it will do a thing us painter call "Tracking",it will leave a track like a foot print in the sand wherever the tape was at.


Zenz is also correct, if you dont want the tape to be as tacky you can run it on you pant leg or stick it to your shirt a few times.

Quote: Originally Posted by AltoNova1 i have been wondering the same thing. i wanted to make a big intricate art on my panel and using a small stencils like in insom's guide would definitely not be practical. i wasnt sure if it would be better to instead use the stencil idea with like a huge posterboard or something and tape that to the side edit: if using a stencil would the stencil soak up the paint and ruin the detail?

It depens on the material of the stencil,most paper will soak right through ruining your paint job. Some cardboards will soak through also. If you use paper or cardboard get some that has a glossy side,it generally does not soak as bad.

Also if you plan on cutting the desigm out of the stencil while it is on the case,be very careful not to cut into the underlying paint as this will likely cause it to peel when the tape is lifted.

Some mistakes like this are fixed fairly easily but its generally better to avoid them.