Stripes of yellow paper 1,5mm

Between a hairline and a band

A width of one and a half millimeters is a compromise that builders come back to more often than they would expect. One millimeter already looks fragile on some dividing lines, while two outgrow in the small scales what they are only meant to suggest. This intermediate value suits the outline line of a fuselage in 1:72 scale, the edge of the anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit, or the framing of an insignia that is not meant to steal attention.

It takes curves better than wide tape

A simple rule applies: the narrower the strip, the smaller the radius it will turn without a fold. The outer edge stretches slightly, the inner one compresses and the paper stays smooth. When masking a rounded fuselage side, therefore, take a piece with some to spare, fix it in three places first and only then tap down the area between them. If a crease does appear, do not try to smooth it out: peel the section back and lay it again, as a wavy edge will let the paint through.

Before you reach for the airbrush

The base must be dry and free of dust, or the edge will not take hold along its whole length. It also pays to let the lower coat cure properly; masking over fresh varnish is possible, but during removal there is a risk that the paper will take a piece of the paint with it. Set a lower pressure and hold the airbrush so that the stream goes across the edge, not under it: most oversprays arise from spraying at an angle, not from a badly stuck mask.

Keep the rest of the sheet in an envelope out of direct light. A paper carrier curls in warmth and the adhesive then holds unevenly, so after a few months an originally accurate edge turns into an unusable wavy line.