lacro

Seeking help from experienced painters about masking lugs so I can paint a contrasting color on the head tube.



How do I get from here:





To here:

3alarmer 

...when masking complex lugs to paint, I usually just take blue low tack masking tape (3M), apply it so it covers the entire lug, outline the lug lines in pencil on the tape (it's easy with the tape on the lug), then pull it back up off the lug and trim the shape outline with scissors. Then carefully reapply your mask. With those holes in the Carlton Capella lugs, ignore them. Then repaint inside them with your head tube color after the mask is off.

randyjawa 

Talk about a timely thread. I just talked with the fellow who is going to paint my Rabeneick 120d. I strip the paint, clean the frame and fork, then mask the socks and head tube lugs, which will remain chrome plated...


Simply put, I am getting on in years and can't see all that well, to do the fine work. And, even if I could see, my hand tends to shake when I attempt precision executions. Poked myself in the eye, just yesterday, missing my nostril by more than an inch and a half:'( Anyway, all jesting aside, I am interested to see some answers and will add a bit of this and that, as I prepare the Rab...

jj1091

You might try a liquid mask. You brush it on over the whole head tube area, then use a razor knife to score the mask along the head tube (not the side of the lug, but against the head tube) then peel off the liquid mask that's on the head tube. Now the lugs are completely masked off including those inside edges, and you can spray paint the head tube color. After it dries, just peel the liquid mask off the lugs. When the mask dries, it's like a clear plastic wrap.

As an example, here's a video of it being used on windows:
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Salamandrine 

I guess you want to paint the head tube white? If it's brushed on enamel, you don't necessarily need to mask the lugs. Get the transition line where the lug lining goes, and the lug lining will cover it up.

If you plan to spray, I'd use masking tape in this case, cutting it to shape with a razor knife or scissors. There's really no point in wasting too much effort getting a perfect transition line. That's why lug lining was invented!

For best/smoothest results, wet sand the HT area with about P400, before you put the white on. Pointy sanding sticks will help.

Ex Pres 

I've found every method has been tedious, but I've not tried masking fluid.
I use green painters tape from an auto-supply store. You can buy it in very narrow widths that will curve. [And the blue tape is really for latex, not VOC solvent paint.]
Still tedious [for me, anyway] bending that tape around all those curves, then affixing wider tape next to it for the bulk of the mask. So,

I've also just taped a wide strip over the entire lug, and instead of marking, removing and scissoring like @3alarmer above, I use a very sharp exacto knife and cut while the tape is in place. You'll need to cut just off the edge of the lug, so you can fold it down.

Be prepared to spend some quality time no matter which tape option you choose.

(One of my projects - easier lugs, but more areas)

gugie 

Brian Chapman uses liquid masking. That's a "drop the mike" endorsement.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/chapmancycles/42918847430

Salamandrine 

Agree that IF you need a clean line that won't be covered up with lug lining, liquid mask is the way to go. ^^^

IME different brands liquid mask are very different to work with. I wonder what Brian Chapman uses?

3alarmer 

...I've experimented with liquid masking with a couple of different things, including just plain old rubber cement.
Because of its liquid nature, I've always had trouble getting clean lines in applying it. It might just be me.

The lug lining thing helps a lot when you do this. It covers up your little wiggles.

Salamandrine 

I don't think anyone can get clean lines applying it. The idea is to wait for it to dry, cut a line with an Xacto or Olfa knife, etc, and then peel off the part you don't need.

Hudson308 

A combination of these is what I've done. The green 3M automotive tape (may not be the same as the green tape at home improvement stores) won't bleed under. Bending the thin stuff around Capella lugs wouldn't work for me, I'd lay wide strips and use an X-acto knife. Leaving the "dots" for a later swipe of the brush is a great tip. Consider that trimming to be a separate project all its own! Careful trimming will really pay off here.
But you really should wet sand that head panel smooth before spraying the head tube. P400 paper or sanding sticks would work well.
And yes... you'll learn why every bike didn't come with Nervex (or Capella) lugs. Sanding and masking around those corners takes patience. The results however, will make all that work stand out.

Ex Pres 

He called his Frisket, which you'll find at art supply stores. My daughter has had Blick around. Think I'll try it next.

lacro

Thanks for the good ideas. I want to keep the inside edge of the lugs blue, and just paint the actual head tube white (ish) so covering the inside edge of the lug is critical. It just seems masking the inside edge of the lugs whether with tape, or liquid mask is going to be difficult. I do realize the HT must be sanded before painting.

Nguyen Dang

The simplest way to do is to apply grease on the lugs. After painting & paint is dry enough, use soft cloth to wipe off the grease. That's it.

randyjawa 

Well, I gave liquid mask a try and is it ever easy to use..!


This is what things looked like with masking tape. No chance that this would look good, once painted, and it is a pita to work with...


So, believe it or not, the liquid mask is already applied, however; it tends to dry absolutely clear, making it difficult to see what has been masked and what has not(this is the only problem). Trust me, I was not filled with confidence at this point in the procedure...


In the picture above, you can see the liquid mask wrinkles if you look closely. The green masking tape is in place to mask and reduce the amount of liquid mask that I needed to use. The liquid stuff is pricey, to say the least.

With great trepidation, I carefully removed the tape and liquid mask and, even though this is the first attempt, I am pleased with the result...


The liquid mask turns to rubber and is easy to carefully pull and or rub off...


I started with the fork only because it is smaller and easier to correct mistakes on...


Today, I will mask the frame and shoot the blue. Using acrylic lacquer speeds up drying time by a lot! If all goes well, with the frame, I will buy a can of clear and clear coat the whole works, chrome, art and all. Then I will rub the lacquer out and Bob's your uncle.

martl

masking such ornamental lugs with tape never really worked for me very well; i'm still searching for a masking tape that is easy to cut, and there's also always the issue about the edge areas, they never come out evenly.
I plan to try liquid masking on my next lug paintjob.

rootboy 

Winsor & Newton Liquid masking fluid. Available in small bottles. very handy.

https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/wi...SABEgK7YfD_BwE

Last ride 76 

Awesome Vid, results. (Just hope its not like those " vinyl patching ads on tv bitd. - No worries, I'm joking) Seriously, Beautiful results!

Last ride 76 

I get it. Great solution if masking fluid unavailable. Me, I'm a klutz. I will accidentally smear grease on... some part of me, transfer it to the bike, and contaminate the painting surface. The fluid seems cheap enough, and easier to paint the inside of the lug, without going over onto the painting surface than grease would be. The only trick is to have it around when I need it. Would definitely try grease, on a fork if no fluid on hand. Masking tape has been a huge PITA, with marginal results. Pun unintentional but that's the way my brain works- in puns

Mr. 66

To get that detail, I would have painted the white first then tape mask and paint the color. Realistically it, the detail, won't make a difference as long as it is done consistently even.

CV-6 

There is another reason for painting the lighter color first. The dark base coat is going to impact the appearance of the lighter color.

randyjawa 

Well, with very little practice, the liquid mask results are pretty darn good. Now, into the city tomorrow to get a can or two of clear coat. Then two coats followed by art, then three or more coats and a careful rubbing out...

noglider 

I am the worst painter. I painted my frame. It didn't come out well. But I used liquid latex to mask the lugs, and that aspect of the job came out great. People look at my bike and see the chrome lugs and don't even notice how bad the paint is. I might have used an x-acto™ knife to get the edges right, after the rubber dried. I left it on for months while the paint cured between many layers. Some parts were hard to get off, but I got it all off by rubbing.