Ameritowne buildings - window frame painting tips?

Dale -

I have had good results using masking tape.

Easier done before assembly, with the piece flat on the work bench.  Work each part of (all) the windows, example: left side first. Turn the piece, do the tops.  Turn the piece, do the right sides.  Turn the piece, and do the bottoms.  Take your time, I used  Polyscale Refer Grey (F414116), B&O Royal Blue (F414269),   Roof Brown (F414275), and a good brush.  Limit the amount of paint on the brush. Idea is rest you wrist and let the brush do the work.  Use the tip of the brush to fine line to the brick edge.

You want to wash the raw plastic first to remove any mold-release agents. Mild detergent, dish soap. Rinse and dry before painting.  Maybe even wash it twice.   These pieces were brick washed first with a diluted, almost milk consistancy, house latex grey for the mortar lines. The mortar line wash also removes the mold-release agents.



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Have fun with your project. 

 Frank's 119 windows would have caused "bug-eye" with my method.  Nice job Frank.   Also note that Frank worked the project flat on the work bench. 
Mike CT

Yep, but not the heavy-duty stuff you use for house painting.  Get the tape that's made for model work (another benefit of a well-stocked local hobby shop). 

Blue painters tape works fine

Just don't be lazy and go unpainted:

119 masked windows in this project and five sets of doors, and the divisions between sections and cornices.

I paint, as Mike CT suggests, before assembly, then touch up after.  I have not had good results with masking tape, but that may just be me.  I use a fine, very good quality brush, enamel paints (Testors, usually) . . . and yes, it gets tedious, but I have found no substitute for it. 

Thanks everyone. I'll have to pull these out of the workbench drawer (the "Disappointed Drawer") and see if masking tape helps to give better results. I think I'm also going to redo the windows with a dark paint that is more forgiving of errors; white likely is a mistake considering I obviously don't have steady enough hands for painting these with just a brush.