I have a tamiya tt01 body shell that I'm going to paint, the main question that I want to ask is, how do I mask the light's areas(headlight,turning signal lights etc.) so after painting it's still clear and I can put some LED unit in it?

Hum, or maybe use some liquid masking products?

Update: more questions!

So today I finally get to use the Tamiya spray paint. I decided to do it outdoor, up in the mountain...I guess it wasn't a smart choice, those random wind didn't go to one direction, but rather going random directions =.= so basically some paint was coming to my face, and apparently my 3M face mask couldn't do much about it. Those horrible sharp smell is killing me>.<

Any ideal location for doing the paint job you guys would recommend? Garage? Open space with no crazy wind?

Also and alternative way to protect me? A wet towel?
PS: I wear normal contact glasses, is that enough protecting for my eyes? or I should probably use goggle?

For most headlights/taillights, masking tape are fine.

For some curved headlights though, you can brush on a coat of plastidip.
Just make sure it is fully cured before you start spraying paint on it.

Originally Posted by SporadicIdiocy

For most headlights/taillights, masking tape are fine.

For some curved headlights though, you can brush on a coat of plastidip.
Just make sure it is fully cured before you start spraying paint on it.

I'm planning to buy this- Parma PSE FasMask Liquid Body Paint Mask (4oz)

o.o any thoughts?

Yea that will work. Probably better than plastidip lol. From what I read, you need to apply a few coats before they'll peel off clean and smooth.

FasMask works very well, just follow the directions and you'll be in good shape.

Bob Dively's liquid mask works better and lasts longer unused.

If it's just the lights and glass areas a good quality painters tape will be fine. The better stuff will stretch a bit. Make sure you burnish the edges well before painting. Light coats won't bleed like heavy coats.

Originally Posted by AirBoston

If it's just the lights and glass areas a good quality painters tape will be fine. The better stuff will stretch a bit. Make sure you burnish the edges well before painting. Light coats won't bleed like heavy coats.

Thank you for your advise. Hummm. I already cover the glass area, but I think putting the mask tape over the tiny/curved/awkward lights' area is a painful/impossible stuff for me to do... I think the liquid mask will save my time xD

And I did use sandpaper to burnish the edges, is it ok/normal to use sandpaper?

Today I saw two dudes playing RC cars in my school's parking lot. They both have real BMW, I think one of them is M3 coupe. And the owner of M3 coupe has a rc drift car with M3 coupe body, wiht light kits. God, me so jealous!

By burnish he meant to rub it down really well to make sure it's a good sealed edge. The M3 drift car sounds like the same kit I have.

So today I finally get to use the Tamiya spray paint. I decided to do it outdoor, up in the mountain...I guess it wasn't a smart choice, those random wind didn't go to one direction, but rather going random directions =.= so basically some paint was coming to my face, and apparently my 3M face mask couldn't do much about it. Those horrible sharp smell is killing me>.<

Any ideal location for doing the paint job you guys would recommend? Garage? Open space with no crazy wind?

Also and alternative way to protect me? A wet towel?
PS: I wear normal contact glasses, is that enough protecting for my eyes? or I should probably use goggle?

Originally Posted by lawjie

So today I finally get to use the Tamiya spray paint. I decided to do it outdoor, up in the mountain...I guess it wasn't a smart choice, those random wind didn't go to one direction, but rather going random directions =.= so basically some paint was coming to my face, and apparently my 3M face mask couldn't do much about it. Those horrible sharp smell is killing me>.<

Any ideal location for doing the paint job you guys would recommend? Garage? Open space with no crazy wind?

Also and alternative way to protect me? A wet towel?
PS: I wear normal contact glasses, is that enough protecting for my eyes? or I should probably use goggle?

put a pair of sun glasses on