Fine lines around windows

[Scratch2k]

Quick question, the standard window masks are one piece and allow you to (well duh) mask of the window areas but I often see bodies painted with a fine coloured outline around the window, like this:

[url=https://skitch.com/scratch2k/f1pfy/proline-mbx-6t-shift-body-s.jpg-400x300][/url][url=https://skitch.com/scratch2k/f1pfy/proline-mbx-6t-shift-body-s.jpg-400x300]Click for large view[/url] - Uploaded with [url=http://skitch.com]Skitch[/url]

I was going to attempt this by using an exacto to cut the thin line around the mask once I had finished all other painting, remove the thin section then paint the colour around the windows and finally remove the remaining window mask but this would require VERY exact work with the knife (to keep the lines straight and parallel with the window edges).

Is this the best way to do this or am I missing something obvious or easier?

[suburban_hooligan]

the way you described is the way iv always done it. and if there's a better, faster, easier way i don't know about it.

iv also tried doing them first by masking off the outer edges with 1/8 fine line tape. then masking off the body and painting the trim. for some of the higher detailed tamiya body's you almost have do it that way because the window mask just doesn't cut it. but on 99% of the body's out there it's not necessary. and doing it that way on say something like an truggy or buggy body wouldn't get you any better results, it would just be a waste of tape and time.

do it last like your planing on trying. it's a lot easier than you think it is and the margin for error is greater than you think. a line has to be pretty far off to be noticeable. your biggest fear is cutting through the body or the paint bleeding. using a new sharp blade is the secret. makes the job a lot easier. and feel free to take a sharpe or pencil and draw your line on the window mask so you've got a line to follow. that also makes it easier because you're tracing a line rather than having to eyeball freehand it on the fly

[andersonwal]

You can try kind of like a pin striping method using a small paint brush.

[Scratch2k]

I decided it looks fine without the pinstripping so left it off, even after custom making some masks, I'll use them next time

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrishore/6078286630/][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrishore/6078286630/]IMG_1457[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/chrishore/]Chris Hore (Scratch2k)[/url], on Flickr

[chickenhawklnc]

can u say VH fan? Sweet looking paint Chris

[Scratch2k]

can u say VH fan? Sweet looking paint Chris

Yep! The finishing touch will be 5150 on the sides of the rear wing.