Aluminum kitchen foil is a useful masking medium that’s impermeable to most paint, flexible enough to mask complex curves, and rigid enough to hold its own shape. I have often used foil to mask the lower hull and tracks of armored vehicles while airbrushing the upper hull. I can even slide a piece of foil under equipment stowed on a vehicle, making it easy to brush-paint all those shovels and jacks. I use thin masking tape to hold the edge of the foil in place around the edges; the foil does its job without leaving adhesive residue, such as the sticky stuff masking tape can leave behind. Finally, aluminum foil is relatively inexpensive – just a dollar or two buys a 75-square-foot roll, making it ideal for budget-conscious modelers.

Tip submitted by:
Shawn MerrellAustin, Texas