"Digital camo mask idea." Topic

I've been considering giving a few of my latest 15mm sci-fi armor acquisitions a digital camouflage scheme. I know that they do make vinyl masks for airbrushing, but since I'm only a poor cubicle drudge I'm trying to be frugal. I've got some printable letter-sized adhesive labels. I've been thinking of printing a grid pattern (there are some web pages that will generate square or hex grids the size you need) on the label, cut out what I need along the lines, then peel off the backing and sticking them on the model as needed.

Any comments, ideas, constructive critiques?

That might work.

You can also use painter's tape, which is designed to keep paint from getting under the edges.

Not sure how easily it cuts with a scalpel, but be sure to clean the blade regularly with alcohol, as you work.

I bought the critical mass games maskfx product about a year ago…they closed shop recently. I found it tough on 15mm vehicles… plus I used spray can…. I haven't bought an airgun yet.

I've seen stencils aplenty….I think the advantage of those is that you can reuse them….up front investment but that's it.

Hobby railroad shop might be cheaper to find stencils?

Just some thoughts and ideas. Good luck.

The issue I worry about is that stenciles sound fine on flat surfaces, but how the heck do you deal with all the little bits and bobs that stick up? Panel lines?

Use regular masking tape, and go for large basic shapes, not small complicated ones.

I used some anarchy ones in an article I did for MW with a spray can. I chose some large, quite flat, AFVs from Darkest Star.

Tony at Brigade games saw the article, bought some of the digital camo ones from Anarchy and did a better job than me using an airbrush (check the Terminator on the home page).

We both found the stencils hard work to use – tamiya masking tape might well be easier to use and work around vehicles with lots of surface details.

But you can't beat having the patterns already pre cut for you. If I had to do it by hand with tape I'd go (more) bonkers.

John T

What about spraying through netting?

Interesting, Andy…

The hair-nets we use out in the Plant have a hexagonal pattern to the netting…and it's pretty dense…

How to make it stay in place…?

I think you could cut the netting to a size that would wrap all the way around the model, except for a narrow strip, which will be on the underside. Use tape to tape the edges of the netting to the unwrapped strip. Take a picture and post it here!

The netting works pretty well with a rattlecan or airbrush, seen it done on some Eldar vehicles.

Hello,
here's what I had done on one of my Vtol's, so yes, the net is effective.

castrarunis.blogspot.com.mt/2014/04/scratchbuilt-vtols.html

This should help
Z