Painting neat bands around the curved head of a projectile?

[peregrinvs]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any clever tips or tricks for painting neat bands around the curved head of a projectile? I have tried masking tape in the past around the head of a 2 Pounder AP shot, but the result wasn't very neat.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[M8owner]

Mount it in a lathe, rotate the piece slowly, then use a permanent marker and you will get perfect lines.

 

[BMG50]

Original the shell or the bomb was put on a dolly rotating table and the paint covered brush was applied as the table was rotated. There are pictures of this being done to 3" mortar bombs at the IWM. The other method was to roll the bomb or shell over inked rubber stamps laid out over a flat board, this also done the writing and the bands in one hit. Don't bother to make it perfect as markings were applied on mass, have a look at original markings and you will see.

 

[reccetrooper]

Possible items to use as a dolly rotating table are rotary cake stand, potters wheel, or even an old record player. Use blocks of wood as a rest for the paintbrush to get the correct height, and use brushes that are an appropriate width for the band you are painting remembering that when you put pressure on the brush it will spread the bristles wider.

If you do try masking method again, use a modellers masking tape that is narrow and flexible, not decorators tape. If you then lacquer over the entire projectile afterwards with clear lacquer (matt, satin or gloss) this will help smooth in the edge of the painted bands which otherwise may be quiet sharply edged.

 

[peregrinvs]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'll give modelling masking tape a try and see how it goes.