Montex masks

[Bomber_County]

Starting my Tamiya Mosquito very soon after having it languishing in the stash for seven years.

I was thinking about the markings, I know I have to build be it first, but with the skin being so uncluttered decals are may look intrusive. Apparently Montex do three sets of different markings. I never used masks before, that said would anyone recommend using them and are there are pitfalls……….thanks…..

[AlanG]

I think they are great. I've used them a few times. Some people say that they have problems using them on curved parts of canopies but i haven't come across that personally yet. For the insignia they have always performed as required. Like any other mask though. Make sure you press them into any panel lines 

[Bomber_County]

1 hour ago, AlanG said:

I think they are great. I've used them a few times. Some people say that they have problems using them on curved parts of canopies but i haven't come across that personally yet. For the insignia they have always performed as required. Like any other mask though. Make sure you press them into any panel lines 

Thanks Alan, one good thing is the Mossie has very few if any panels lines…….I’ll definitely give them a go…….

[BlrwestSiR]

I've used lots of Montex masks and they generally have worked very well and I've gotten great results with them. 

Masks are my preferred way to do markings in 1/32, especially things like roundels and large codes. I think I posted a how-to on here. If you have any questions about how to do them, just ask. 

This is my Tamiya Mossie with painted on roundels and fin flash. Code letters weren't available at the time so I had to use decals for those.

One thing though. Like all masks made from vinyl, they can deform with age. Mostly due to shrinkage after cutting. 

Here's a set of Montex masks for the Trumpeter P-40. I bought them for the Hobby craft boxing of the kit so they're fairly old, probably about 10 years.

I can probably make these work if I take my time to line things up carefully but they won't always fit together perfectly. 

Carl

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Here's the link to the how-to I did.

 

[GusMac]

If Maketar have a set I'd recommend them as an alternative. 

I've only used Montex once, recently for my P-47D, and they left adhesive residue all over the NMF even although they were only in place for a couple of hours. Pretty much ruined the build for me. Also, they only do vinyl and it warps badly especially for things like stars'n'bars. Maketar give you a choice of vinyl or kabuki and I always go kabuki as it retains it's integrity far better. 

[Martinnfb]

Montex is a hit and miss deal, suffering from shrinkage distortion and insufficient research. I would say usable, but double check the shapes and sizes. 

[Landlubber Mike]

I used Montex masks for the insignia and numbers on my Buffalo build.  They worked great and I didn't have any warpage, residue, or other issues.  I'm a big fan having used them with similar great results on some F4F builds.

[Bomber_County]

12 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Here's the link to the how-to I did.

 

Thanks Carl, I understand a little more now…….

[Bomber_County]

12 hours ago, GusMac said:

If Maketar have a set I'd recommend them as an alternative. 

Thanks Gus, there are very few Maketar stockists in the UK and those have very little stock. Did look at getting directly from Maketar but the Airmail was the same as the item. Hannants have the Montex, hmmmm decisions….

[Bomber_County]

11 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

Montex is a hit and miss deal, suffering from shrinkage distortion and insufficient research. I would say usable, but double check the sales and sizes. 

Thanks Martin, I’ll do some more research…….the Montex set is literally the kit decals but as masks, if I go this route I’ll be able to cross reference the two…..

[Bomber_County]

10 hours ago, Landlubber Mike said:

used Montex masks for the insignia and numbers on my Buffalo build.  They worked great and I didn't have any warpage, residue, or other issues.  I'm a big fan having used them with similar great results on some F4F builds.

That looks amazing Mike, the masks certainly do make a difference……

[Daywalker]

13 hours ago, GusMac said:

If Maketar have a set I'd recommend them as an alternative. 

I've only used Montex once, recently for my P-47D, and they left adhesive residue all over the NMF even although they were only in place for a couple of hours. Pretty much ruined the build for me. Also, they only do vinyl and it warps badly especially for things like stars'n'bars. Maketar give you a choice of vinyl or kabuki and I always go kabuki as it retains it's integrity far better. 

I had the same experience with Montex masks, the residue left behind was very difficult to overcome.

[AlanG]

4 hours ago, Bomber_County said:

There are very few Maketar stockists in the UK and those have very little stock. Did look at getting directly from Maketar but the Airmail was the same as the item.

That's the exact reason why i went down the Montex route. I don't have money to burn so buying things that are just about as expensive as the kit i'm building (bit like 3d decals at the moment) , is just false economy to me.

[GusMac]

11 hours ago, Bomber_County said:

Thanks Gus, there are very few Maketar stockists in the UK and those have very little stock. Did look at getting directly from Maketar but the Airmail was the same as the item. Hannants have the Montex, hmmmm decisions….

Hi Phil, yes I've always bought direct from Maketar but I must admit the last ones I've ordered were all before postage costs went crazy. 

[Bomber_County]

21 hours ago, AlanG said:

That's the exact reason why i went down the Montex route. I don't have money to burn so buying things that are just about as expensive as the kit i'm building (bit like 3d decals at the moment) , is just false economy to me.

Totally agree Alan, I’ll only ever build one Mossie so I’m adding AM to make it the best I can…….

14 hours ago, GusMac said:

Hi Phil, yes I've always bought direct from Maketar but I must admit the last ones I've ordered were all before postage costs went crazy. 

thanks Gus, I am selective in using companies that have large delivery charges. One reason I rarely use Hannants as there minimum for free postage is now £100, bit much……

[DocRob]

Hi Phil, I generally avoid vinyl masks, wherever I can. Shrinking is an issue and Kabuki is easier to glue into tight cornered spots. It also helps, that they are less flexible. I never had issues with residues though with vinyl masks, maybe, because I never used lacquers on them. 

I like the products from Eduard, Maketar (you can choose between Kabuki and vinyl here) and 1ManArmy best. The latter produces a set for the Mossie, which includes the unbelievable fine cut stencils as well. They provide the basic markings and roundels, so you have to check if everything you need is there. They are generally sold by Hannants for example, but the Mossie set is out at the moment. 
I have some HGW transfers for my Mossie, a hit and miss product, but I will try them, when time comes. If they work, they look like tattooed on.

Cheers Rob

[Bomber_County]

Thanks Rob, I looked at the 1ManArmy stencils, absolutely amazing, I didn’t look at the Eduard. If I go the vinyl route because of availability (some cost as well) I’ll gloss the surfaces before applying the masks so in can clean up residue…I think…….

[Spitfire]

I nearly always use Montex, or Top Notch masks, the Montex have such a huge range of subjects and the Top Notch are good quality as well as the fact that they do custom masks.

Top Notch also do camouflage masks.

I have used Maketar Kabuki ones but had problems picking the masks out from the sheet as the cuts are so thin that you cannot see the outline, I did try sanded pencil lead to pick them out but it was not very good.

The other thing that I do is de tack the masks on my hand or a window to cut down on paint pull off the model.

Cheers

Dennis

[Peterpools]

Phil

Just to stray off topic a bit, you're going to love building the Tamiya Mossie: she and my Fisher Sea Fury are the Queens of my model display case. Just go slow, follow the instructions and you will have a gem at the end of your build. The Mossie isn't a difficult kit, just requires following the instructions and enjoying the journey. Looking forward to following your build and having a front row seat. 

[Bomber_County]

21 hours ago, Spitfire said:

I nearly always use Montex, or Top Notch masks, the Montex have such a

Thanks Dennis, just one question if I could, do you gloss coat or similar before applying the masks?

[Bomber_County]

18 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Phil

Just to stray off topic a bit, you're going to love building the Tamiya Mossie: she and my Fisher Sea Fury are the Queens of my model display case. Just go slow, follow the instructions and you will have a gem at the end of your build. The Mossie isn't a difficult kit, just requires following the instructions and enjoying the journey. Looking forward to following your build and having a front row seat. 

Thanks Peter, I must admit I’m a little wayward as far as following instructions, to many Dragon kits I guess. I found the sales receipt for the kit , 1st March 2016, seven years in the stash……..I’ve just ordered the last of the AM so any week soon and we will be off………

[Peterpools]

Phil

I haven't a kit in the stash that goes that far back but these days, it's like money in the bank. Looking forward to following your Mossie build. 

 

[Spitfire]

2 hours ago, Bomber_County said:

Thanks Dennis, just one question if I could, do you gloss coat or similar before applying the masks?

Normally I use either Xtracolor or Colourcoats so the finish is already glossy, but the times that I have used Modelmaster paints I did not use a gloss coat before using masks and it went well.

These are all masked on Modelmaster enamel (green) and Colourcoats (black).

Cheers

Dennis

[Peterpools]

3 hours ago, Spitfire said:

Normally I use either Xtracolor or Colourcoats so the finish is already glossy, but the times that I have used Modelmaster paints I did not use a gloss coat before using masks and it went well.

These are all masked on Modelmaster enamel (green) and Colourcoats (black).

Cheers

Dennis

Dennis 

Sure looks mighty nice.