I really hate window trim stickers. They're difficult to apply sometimes - especially when it isn't a decal that covers the entire window, it's a just a strip of black decal. I like to paint my window trim on. It looks cleaner and it doesn't peel off. I've had several people ask me how I do my window trim so here's a quick tutorial on it. I like to use Pactra tape because it comes in various widths, sticks on well, comes off without leaving residue and is stretchable. The paint I use to brush on is Tamiya Acrylic Paint. I quickly found out that you just can't buy polycarbonate paint made to be sprayed and attempt to brush it on. I use Pactra Masking Tape No. MT108 1/8"x20'. to mask off the window trim.
Here's the shell without window trim:
What I like to do first is decide how wide the window trim will be. I'll put two small pieces on both ends as a guide. It is better, however, to take an entire piece and run it parallel to the window border. That way, when you apply the tape that marks off the inside border of the window trim, you get the correct window contour, not some straight line. You can cut up strips of the original window trim to use as a guide. That way, you get accurate width for your window trim. Tape Placed - Used as a Guide:
Second piece of tape placed used as the inner edge of the window trim:
Now, remove the first piece of tape you applied that will determine the width of your window trim.
Now, with a brush paint in the trim with black Tamiya Acrylic paint. Make sure to you apply it in thin layers to avoid the paint from seeping under the mask.
While you are waiting for that side to dry, repeat the same process on another window:
As you complete one side, go back and add another layer to the previous side. 4-5 layers is sufficient. Remove tape carefuly. What's nice about this paint is that if you screw up, you can carefully scratch off the mistake with a toothpick. This isn't a difficult process - just tedious. Here are some finished lines.
You've now completed some clean window trim for your shell that will last a long time. This shell I used as my main practice shell. The window trim is still there while many of the decals are starting to peal and the shell cracked in all four corners, held together with Shoe Goo. This really works well! I hope you've found this tutorial helpful.
