How do I create masks?

[skydbe76]

I have this jet I am painting and I want it to look like this, how do I get the blue and orange masks? So I just try to draw them on vinyl and cut them out or is there a way to scan this and have them made at shop?

Not too worried bout the checker bu the striping on the side and the nose would be nice.

 

[Kingpin]

Could You not just mask them off with tape and paint them on? They look as though they would be easy enough to do, even the chequering!

What is the size of the plane?

 

[skydbe76]

Could You not just mask them off with tape and paint them on? They look as though they would be easy enough to do, even the chequering!

What is the size of the plane?

its about 1x1 meter. My issue is how do I ensure it is symmetrical on both sides?

 

[2Diverse]

Eyeball.

You could try putting masking tape ahead and behind the stripes and use measurements.

If you plan to use vinyl it should have some type of backer. I've had success (with styrene) sticking two pieces back to back and using a glue stick to hold them in place. I have also used spray contact cement. You have to ensure the vinyl doesn't shift as you are cutting. The good thing with the glue stick is you can put them in water and they should come apart. Or leave them together and peel them off when you are ready to apply them. Putting them back to back will give you the same positive.

From your picture the blue nose stripe will probably be a bit more difficult as there is a pretty good taper to the nose and you have to account for that taper so the vinyl does not wrinkle. Curved surfaces are a different animal.

I'm also guessing that it would be difficult to get the white outline of the jet in the V on the tail.

You could cut out the blue of the checkers and apply them the same as the stripes. You need to be more careful of their location as they look to be on the flat parts of the rear wings. You could design your own orange and blue stripes to go in that location. Might be a bit easier.

Not sure this helps or doesn't.

 

[skydbe76]

It does help but I plan to pain these.
Can I use vinyl to create a paint mask? Could I put this into a computer program and create something to send somwhere where they will cut the mask with a cutter?

I emailed the company to see if they will provide masks. The problem is my jet is from 1998 and the photo is about 7 versions later than mine so things have changed.

So I may have no choice. Honestly the V in the tail and the lettering dont matter I just want the stripes.

 

[tatocorvette]

I'm cheap. If you can print it in cheap sticker paper and cut it, that can be your mask. You can also print in regular paper, cut it, slightly wet it and use as a guide for masking tape. Of course you need to make sure it is clean and dry before painting.

Thanks,
Ismael

 

[SiRoxx]

It does help but I plan to pain these.
Can I use vinyl to create a paint mask? Could I put this into a computer program and create something to send somwhere where they will cut the mask with a cutter?

I emailed the company to see if they will provide masks. The problem is my jet is from 1998 and the photo is about 7 versions later than mine so things have changed.

So I may have no choice. Honestly the V in the tail and the lettering dont matter I just want the stripes.

You absolutely can create them in a programme and have a company cut the vinyl. The programmes themselves need a little learning, but if you have experience with any graphics programme then the basic functions don’t take long to figure out. Incscape is a solid programme that’s used by a ton of people and is free to download.

 

[RK Ink and Focus]

I would potentially use this method,

Tape a datum line on both sides of the plane to work from, how ever that is easiest, tip to front edge of wing rear edge to front edge of horizontal tail wing etc.

Then mock your pattern up on one side with masking tape until it is how you like the look of it

Then line tracing sheet up to your datum and trace out patterns for stencils.

Cut out stencils and second of each in mirror image.

Then apply using the datum line on both sides to get each side to match.

Regards

Richard