1:32 Gloster Gladiator Paint Mask (ICM) Pt.1

1:32 Gloster Gladiator Paint Mask, part one — SX-Art spray stencils

An accessory, not a model. It is a set of self-adhesive die-cut stencils intended for spray painting a model of the Gloster Gladiator biplane in 1:32 scale. These are not canopy masks: the stencils are there so that the color markings on the surface of the model can be sprayed instead of being applied as a decal. The set is cut to fit a particular kit in this scale. The target kit is the one from ICM.

Why spraying instead of a decal

A sprayed marking has no carrier film, so no glossy outline or step appears along its edge. That shows most of all on a biplane with fabric covering, where a decal would have to settle over ribs and unevenness and would easily wrinkle or silver. A sprayed area also reacts to weathering and matte clear coat in the same way as the paint around it, so the result looks uniform. In 1:32 scale the difference is visible at first glance, because the areas are large and the viewer looks at them from close up.

How to use the set

The surface must be smooth, well cured and free of grease. Lift the mask off the backing film, place it in position and press the edge down firmly with a soft tool so that paint cannot creep underneath. Spray several very thin coats rather than one heavy one, otherwise a ridge will form along the edge. Remove the mask while the paint is not yet fully dry, and do it slowly, pulling it back over itself at a sharp angle.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the Gloster Gladiator in 1:32 scale
• Anyone interested in sprayed markings without the edges of a carrier film
• Builders who work with an airbrush and can handle thin coats
• Modelers who are bothered by decals silvering on fabric covering

The set is a painting accessory, not a kit. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package.