Masking

Masking is how a builder keeps one color of paint from landing where it is not wanted, whether that means protecting a clear canopy while the surrounding fuselage is airbrushed, or creating a crisp line between two colors on a camouflage scheme. It sits between painting stages rather than being a finishing step, since most multi-color builds mask and unmask several times before every color is down.

Tape is the most common masking method, cut into strips or pre-shaped kits for canopies, and pressed down firmly along the edge to stop paint creeping underneath. Liquid mask is an alternative applied by brush over irregular shapes, like canopy framing or curved details, then peeled away once painting is done, which suits shapes that are awkward to cut tape for by hand.

A frequent mistake is applying paint too heavily right at a masked edge, which can push paint under even a well-applied tape line, or pulling tape off before paint has fully dried, tearing the fresh finish along with it. Removing tape at a shallow angle, slowly, and only once the paint has properly cured gives a cleaner line than pulling it straight up while still impatient to see the result.