1:48 F-86A Sabre pre-cut patterns for numbers and lettering painting mask on yellow kabuki paper for CP4825 kit

What the mask is for

The stencils make it possible to spray the numbers and lettering instead of applying decals. Sprayed lettering has no carrier film, so no glossy edge or clouding appears under it and the surface stays uniform. It also lasts longer than a decal: it cannot be peeled off with the edge of a fingernail and it does not shift during the final varnishing. On the smooth areas of a fuselage, where a large number is immediately visible, the difference between sprayed and applied lettering is apparent at first glance.

What the set contains

Pre-cut stencils of yellow kabuki paper for a model of the F-86A Sabre in 1:48 scale. According to the name they are cut for the kit designated CP4825. Kabuki paper is pliable and sticks only slightly, so it seats even on a curved surface and does not pull the paint off when removed.

How to work with the masks

• Apply the masks only to perfectly dry base paint, otherwise that will peel off too when they are removed.
• Carry the stencil with tweezers or the point of a knife and press the edges down carefully, especially on curves.
• Spray perpendicular to the surface and in several thin coats; a heavy application runs under the edge.
• First lay on a thin coat of the base shade, which seals the edge of the mask, and only then the color of the lettering.
• Remove the masks shortly after the paint has set, not days later, and pull them away at an angle over the edge.
• Do not forget to apply the remaining small inner pieces of the numbers as well, otherwise the number will stay filled in.

Who it is for

For modelers who want their markings sprayed and are tired of fighting with the thin film of decals. The work is slower than applying decals, but the result stands up to a close look and to a macro photograph. The kit itself, paints and glue are not part of the package, unless stated otherwise.