AVI Nike Tomahawk Build Part 21, Tomahawk Paint Masks

Here's one I started a long time ago and set it aside.
I had a hard time trying to mask the upper stage Tomahawk fins. The fins were a plastic MPC fin can. 
If you want to see the start of the build, CLICK HERE
This model was first shown in the 1973 AVI catalog - CLICK HERE
It's about time I finished it up . . .
Note: Some of these blog posts were written 2 1/2 years ago. I'm probably going to repeat things I've written about since then.

I know, others use Tamiya specialty masking tapes and get great results. I won't pay the high prices for the small roll of tape.

I've heard from a few that they've had good results with the Scotch tape masks.

Enlarge the picture and you can better see the piece of tape on the glass.

A black line is drawn down the center with a wide tip permanent marker. 

The tape is cut down the middle of the line with a metal straightedge and sharp knife.

Why not just mark and use the sides right off the roll? 

Typically the sides of a tape roll aren't clean. Cut the down the middle and you'll have two sharp, clean edges of tape for masking.

The black marking makes it easier to see against the rocket body.

The upper Tomahawk rocket has a red and silver body, the red mask is at the top.

TIP: Spray the red first and the silver second. The adhesive on the back of the tape will transfer onto most metallic spray paints. 

The picture shows the tape line after the Scotch tape mask was removed. You'll never get a clean mask line if the underlying surface isn't dried and smooth before the tape is set down. 

The Quest (AVI) nose cone is 2.50" tall.
The Tomahawk nose cone is scaled at 2.26" tall.

There is a Bakelite brown band below the nose cone. At scale, this band is .40" wide.
I'm making a compromise on this one, I'll paint the band on the low end of the nose cone. It won't be the full .40" wide, but closer to .25" wide.

The tape strip was cut thin to conform to the start of the nose cone curve.
The second inset picture shows the tape overlap. Be sure the overlap is pressed down and well sealed.

The upper white end of the nose cone was covered with masking tape.
The first picture shows the masking tape being pulled.

The inset picture shows how to pull back the Scotch tape mask.
When pulling the tape, fold it back over itself, not straight up but over and on top of the tape still on the nose cone.