Masking tiny caboose windows

[Bill H]

Group;
Got my FVM B&O Wagontop Cabooses apart to start weathering. Lots of tiny, tiny windows, and the glazing is very firmly glued, so I have my doubts about popping them out without damage. Also have my doubts about cutting masking tape small enough. I seem to remember sometime ago there was a sort of masking paint that could then be removed? Any suggestions?

Kind regards,
Bill

[nickelplate759]

I've had bad luck removing glued in windows.

I've tried "Magic Masker" in the past - it's a brush-on latex product that can be rubbed off after painting.  The problem I had with it was that it was hard to get EXACTLY where you wanted it without bleeding over to where you don't want it - in other words, you need to mask off where you didn't want the masking... .

Next time I need to do this, I'm going to try putting thin masking tape over the windows, and carefully trimming around the window AFTER the tape goes on.

[eja]

I have had some degree of success by covering windows with a coat of Vaseline  (sp?).  Paint it then wipe the Vaseline off.

YMMV

[Bill H]

I've had bad luck removing glued in windows.

I've tried "Magic Masker" in the past - it's a brush-on latex product that can be rubbed off after painting.  The problem I had with it was that it was hard to get EXACTLY where you wanted it without bleeding over to where you don't want it - in other words, you need to mask off where you didn't want the masking... .

Next time I need to do this, I'm going to try putting thin masking tape over the windows, and carefully trimming around the window AFTER the tape goes on.

MicroMark's variant of that product is out of stock indefinitely online and Amazon. Magic Masker apparently is no longer in production, other ides?

[OldEastRR]

Change to HO and have larger caboose windows? 

[jpwisc]

Even on the smallest caboose windows I will use Tamiya masking tape. I cut intense and it comes off easily with a pair of tweezers

[craigolio1]

I also use Tamiya masking tape and for masking small things with square corners, I have had success by cutting 4 squares maybe 1/3 the size of the opening. Perfectly align a square in each corner and they’ll all over lap in the middle.

Just googled your caboose. If it’s the one with the windows divided into four, then I would still use Tamiya tape precision cut all the squares. Super fun!!

Craig

[bbussey]

Microscale makes a masking product similar to the Micro-Mark product. I think it’s called Micro Mask.

[Maletrain]

With the masking fluid, it seems necessary to cut the edges of the to-be-masked area and peel off the dried fluid that spread beyond those cuts before painting.  Then peel the masking off the surfaces that are not to be painted after the paint dries enough to not tear.  Maybe need to cut the edges again before pulling the masking off to avoid tearing paint of the surfaces that should be painted.

[MK]

What about using something like Aleene's Tacky glue?  It's thick enough to not run but you can spread it around with a toothpick.  Removal from plastic should be easy as it's PVA.

[Bill H]

Thanks for thinking outside the box, but I think the tacky glue is way too thick for some of the more tiny windows. The masking paint seems to be sold out everywhere. I think I might have to use Tamiya tape...

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Kind regards,
Bill

[Bendtracker1]

I've good results with this.

https://www.amazon.com/Humbrol-AC5217-Maskol-28ml-Bottle/dp/B006ZY3KZW