How do you mask tiny/detailed parts when painting?

[Eddie Honda]

I am prepping an 870 for a Duracoat paint job.

I did a forum search and found many threads about painting a gun, but the discussions regarding the masking process were pretty minimal, and I need to know more before I attempt anything.

There are some pretty small aspects of the receiver that I'm unsure how to prep. For example, there are several tiny threaded holes along the top of the receiver, with screws in them. I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to just paint over them. How do you mask such a tiny hole? What about the holes for the two pins that hold the trigger group in place? What's the best way to mask these holes so that no paint gets in there when I'm spraying it? Also, I'm painting the bayonet lug/barrel clamp, and there's a screw that's used for tightening it up onto the barrel. Presumably I remove the screw and mask the threaded hole somehow. I just can't see masking tape working well in this situation.

A couple of weeks ago, I painted a Dead-On Annihilator wrecking bar with flat black Krylon. There's a little oval indentation on it with a rubber skull and crossbones logo in it. I wanted to mask it, so I tried to cut a tiny oval out of a piece of green masking tape with an exacto knife - which failed miserably. I ended up taking several very small pieces of tape and stuffing them into the indentation until it was covered, then I tidied up the edges with a fingernail. This worked okay, but the paint line around the perimeter of the indentation wasn't that clean. Good enough for a wrecking bar, but not for the shotgun. There's got to be a better way to mask detailed features of an object prior to painting...

Could somebody please give me some tips? The shotgun will be a Christmas gift and I want it to be perfect.

 

[shatthatkilledelvis]

Try "Plumber's Putty". You and buff it off level with the surface. It should work for the holes and you can scape it out with a pin or something tiny. It also gets stiffer if you leave to air out for a bit.

I've never tried it with paint but it has always worked for me when using it to plug holes in my rifle actions before bedding them.

 

[gasoperated]

There's also an art supply called frisket I think. It's a liquid that dries into a rubbery coating which can be peeled off easily.

Great idea with the plumber's putty

 

[sunray]

Plasticene will do it. You will want to paint the screw heads too.

 

[Eddie Honda]

Thanks for the great responses.

First-time projects like this can be daunting, it's good to know that you guys have got my back!

I'll post pics in the tactical shotguns thread when I'm done.

 

[pageophile]

Try using tape but rolled up. Roll whatever diameter you need and push it into the hole. Works like a charm and no need to clean/chase the threads afterward.

If it's a small area your trying to mask off +1 to the Frisket, just remember to use a few coats as it builds up. With one coat it can be a real bear to clean off, however, with a few coats it just peals off

 

[Ian Robertson]

Putty and plasticine contamination will prevent the paint from sticking.

 

[Striker]

if you are painting the screws for the holes on top of the receiver..tighten the screw all the way then back it out a couple of turns or til one or two threads are showing. Paint the receiver then tighten the screws.
This will prevent the paint from "cracking" around the holes when you remove them like it would if you painted the screws tightened all the way.
As for the holes for the trigger group pins..unless you plan on a heavy coat of paint I'd leave them alone.
I do that with gun kote.

 

[Goonsquad]

I've used lithium grease for "Masking" engine blocks, works well I find.

 

[broncoo]

cut little pieces of foam ear plugs they expand to fill the hole

 

[josquin]

There's also an art supply called frisket I think. It's a liquid that dries into a rubbery coating which can be peeled off easily. .../QUOTE]

It's basically liquid latex dissolved in an ammonia base. Grumbacher, Winsor & Newton and others make it. Artists use it for masking parts of artwork when airbrushing. A similar product is used in creating some kinds of theatrical makeup effects, such as scars and prostheses. Brushes on and can be rolled/rubbed off with a finger. IIRC, Brownell's Acraglas Release Agent is a kind of frisket.

Stuart

 

[OneBarfly]

I like that frisket idea better, but here's a thought: Easter egg decorators use a fine brush and melted wax to protect areas they dont want dyed. I little heat will melt it off