More than just stickers!

I have been using Mark over at Stickershock for some time now. All of his work has been flawless! He has bent over backwards sending me proofs to view, different sizes, different fonts, and so on. But this last one I am doing I wanted to paint the fins to match, so I asked Mark if he did paint masks. Yup, I carry that in stock he replied. So after many emails we settled a on a size to use. They arrived quickly and I went to work. Peeled them off last night, still need to add clear over them, but you can see his quality of the mask that he provided. So if you are considering using paint masks, there are none better.
Mark, thank you. Dave.

Forgot the pics.

Mark is aces, no doubt about it.

The metallic green + flat black looks amazing, I'm gonna have to remember that one. Which is the base coat?

Black went down first. Hopefully will look even better after the cleat. Thanks.

Is there any difference between a vinyl decals and paint masks? I have some vinyl lettering that I was planning to use as a mask to create an effect like in the original post.

BDB said:

Is there any difference between a vinyl decals and paint masks? I have some vinyl lettering that I was planning to use as a mask to create an effect like in the original post.

Click to expand...

Yes, it is different... but I'm not quite sure what the difference is. My intuition would have been that the mask has a less powerful adhesive, so you could pull it off without lifting paint. However, in my first experience with it, it did a pretty good job of lifting paint (although the paint was metallic, which in theory pulls up easier than normal stuff).

I would think that regular vinyl would work fine as paint mask, as long as it'll lift afterwards. In my subsequent uses of vinyl paint mask I attempted to weaken the adhesive a bit by applying to my pant legs first, but I think I was a little too successful, and it didn't adhere very well. I might be inclined to do at least *something* to weaken the final adhesive before using as mask. I think.

(And needless to say, wait until the base coat is pretty solidly cured before attempting).

Masks are thicker so that they may be pulled in one piece. Vinyl is thin so they do not stick up through the clear as much. When a mask is cut it is usually larger so less taping and paper is needed. It is of a different material, paint sticks to it so when you pull it it gives a nice crisp line. I used to use my "T" shirt like Neil did, but got fuzz in the paint that way. With that all said, I have used vinyl, monokote, and just plain clear tape. It will all work.

PS Frisket paper also.

Mark is the most patient man I have ever worked with. Even to the point I feel almost guilty when I use my CriCut to cut my own vinyl, or decide to go a different direction halfway through a project.