My way...not the only way!!!!
I have used many different brands of tape. Tamiya is the best IMHO only. It is made for model work and the very fine details therein. I had decent results with 3M and Shurtape.....but not as good as Tamiya. I keep 3 widths of Tamya on hand AND 3m Blue 1 inch masking.
I do not cut the tape, I use it right off the roll. I do burnish the tape as I lay it out. This needs to be done while laying it down AND after you have it applied.....right before paint application. I use a combo of my finger nail and a small hardwood stick to burnish the tape. The sticks are sold at WM and craft stores as coffee stir sticks but are more sturdy than coffee sticks. As I say....burnish as you apply and right before paint. If you burnish it and take your time you should get a line like this.
After the Tamiya tape is down I back fill with 3M Blue light tack 1 inch masking. Just seal the edges of the 3M do not burnish it.....let it kinda float as much as possible.
Removing tape is best done while paint is tacky not ddry and pull it back at a 180 degree.....back on itself as such. With care anyone can get a perfect edge when painting. Thanks
