Frisket Film

[Piggy89373]

How well does this work for RC applications? Anyone have experience using frisket film on RC bodies?

[acidburn]

i tried it - once. it left sticky residues and hard to work with compared to masking tapes.

[Paintguy]

Tried it in the past....works ok with Faskolor....not with Pactra (the residue thing), but it will not stretch to the curves or body lines and a little hard to see. Never messed with it again.

[RidgewayBodies]

I got the same results as acidburn. It is a real pain to try and remove the sticky residue. It gets worse the longer you leave the film on and if you heat set your paint.

[MaxxThrasher]

I've seen a few people use it. Not sure as to what kind they used. I think Chris @ TeamDuze uses it. Can't remember the others.
There are different kinds from what I've read. Some don't work with laquer based paints. Some are designed with these paints in mind. As far as laying it down in corners, I think a heat gun is used.

To tell you the truth, I think masking tape or LM works about the best for RC applications. At least it's easier to come by and cheap.

If you take the plunge and try it out, please let us know what you find. ;)

[Piggy89373]

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to find an alternative masking means. I know that it can be placed on paper and run through a normal printer. This way, you can have a more customizeable mask made (as long as you're willing to cut it out).

If/when I use it, I'll post some feedback and results. Thanks again for the info.

[snifnfumes]

I use shelf paper from wal-mart.
I'll give you the name when I get home, but it's clear and hasn't left any residue yet.
It is a pain to try a get it in corners, but for side graphics along flat surfaces it works just fine

[kitty]

I asked CharlieB about something similar in a recent thread in regards to a clear, flexible film offered on a web site he linked to for an older article of his. His reply was basically that it's pretty good stuff, but he still prefers good ol' 3M blue tape for masking.

I like the idea of using the shelf paper. I use a few layers of the solid coloured version of the stuff for doing basic sandblast etching on glass. I don't know how well it would work for compound curves and I have had it leave residue on glass before, but I think that's mainly due to heat. It gets pretty hot here in Texas and when I was doing glass etching commercially, I did all my work outside in the heat. So I'm thinking that using heat to soften the material for going around curves probably would leave residue.

[snifnfumes]

OK all,
The shelf paper I use a lot of is made by Kittrich, it's clear, acts just like frisket and costs about $3.00 for a roll of I think 25 yds. Kitty is right, try not to get hot as it will leave residue. I spray very light coats to build color and use a fan to " heat set" the water-based paints. The clear paper allows you to see any graphics you have taped or drawn on the outside.
I like Charlie still prefer the 3m tape, except when I want to cut a graphic to wide for the tape and in one piece of mask.

[MaxxThrasher]

Glad press and seal also works well. :p

[gone_wheelin]

I've been interested in using AutoMask. It's liek a wide format tape that is very flexible. I've seen it used in auto paint applications but never heard of it being used for RC's yet. If I ever get a chance to order some up and try it I will post the results.

[McKB]

I use vinyl electricians tape. It's flexible and sticks quite well.

[kitty]

snifn, I'll have to check out that shelf paper. I used to buy Contact brand contact paper from WM for doing the sandblast etching. Maybe they switched vendors or there was a problem with using the same name as a cold remedy. Who cares. I think I'm gonna check the stuff out. Thanks for the update!

[Piggy89373]

Well, I decided to practice with frisket film over the weekend. For practice on a coke bottle, it's pretty straight forward and easy to use. I left a corner of the film lifted and folded to ease removal. When removed, I didn't notice any adhesive left behind.

For complex curves, I can see where this stuff would be too much of a PITA. For relatively flat or slightly curved areas, I think this stuff would be good. I didn't notice any bleeds and designs cut just like LM. If nothing else, it's good for practicing if you don't want to wait for LM to dry.

[kitty]

I wouldn't have thought that frisket film would work. I've seen guys use it on motorcycle helmets and they had to be extra careful when cutting over overlapped areas. :/

Glad press and seal also works well.
I'd like to see pictures of a shell done using that stuff. It's WAY too tacky.

[charlieB]

Im surprised frisket paper did not leave residue. Especially when u put a heat gun to it. Well..who would have known...

[Piggy89373]

Charlie, still good to see you pop in now and again. I didn't use a heat gun, don't think I would either. If I had to absolutely use it for corners, I'd load the inside of the shell with alcohol and slide it into place (like window tint film).

[charlieB]

good idea..maybe the frisket paper that i used was too thick..i know i couldnt get it to form to teh body unless i used a hairdryer. in anyrate, until there will be a way to mask that adhere's perfectly with out wrinkles and folds and will not bleed though and not leave residue or shrinkage, just use what ever masking u feel most comfortabe with.