Spraying a multi-colour fairing cleanly is the hardest thing most motorcycle builds ask of you, and a mask set removes most of the difficulty. Self-adhesive stencils cut to the shape of a particular kit's parts define each colour area precisely, with no bleed under the edge, so the scheme ends up looking as though it came out of a paint shop. The section is narrow: masks are made for selected machines at 1:12.
Below you will find when a mask beats a decal and how to work through a masked paint job without disappointment.
Large colour areas in a racing scheme always look better sprayed. Paint has a depth that no decal imitates, and there is no silvering at the edges. A mask cut from low-tack film follows the bodywork of a specific kit exactly, so the colour boundary sits where it should to within a fraction of a millimetre. Compared with laying out masking tape by hand, the measuring disappears and so does the risk of a crooked line; the stencil holds its shape even over a domed tank or a mudguard.
Use masks for large areas and geometric divisions, decals for small logos and complicated motifs. In practice the two are combined: a sprayed base scheme finished with carbon and graphic decals for numbers and lettering. A sprayed surface also takes a final clear coat better, because nothing stands proud of it.
Masking is a sequence rather than a single step, and rushing any part of it shows on the finished panel. Let the base coat harden properly first. Press the mask down firmly along its edges and spray thin coats aimed square at the boundary so nothing creeps underneath. Lift the film while the last coat is still fresh and the edge stays sharp. Work light colours before dark ones, and let each layer gas off before masking over it.
Masks are cut to one kit's parts, so confirm in the description which kit a set is made for. The film is usually semi-transparent, which lets you check the placement on the part before any paint goes near it. The selection is tied to 1:12 motorcycle kits.
Further ways to upgrade a machine are indexed in motorcycle model accessories.
