Making good Masking

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Hey guys,

I've been having trouble painting lately. Essentially, not matter how much i try to burnish the masking tape on, I continue to get bleed through. Its even harder to mask on a curve, like across the nose of an F unit or Geep. I also have a lot of models with fluting, which I am unsure of how to protect properly.

In particular, some of the paints I use (like the Alclad II paints) are very sensitive to defects, and i worry that masking tape or fluids might leave residues or get stuck in the fluting.

For example, the fluted areas of this PATCO car are mirror-metallic. The "smooth" areas are a also metallic but a different metal color. then there is a Black window band around the front windows. the little ridges seem like they would prevent me from getting the masking tape in properly. How would you mask across these surfaces?



Prototype photo for reference-



How would one replicate the nose of this E-unit? the only other way I can think is custom decals, but i don't know how i'd make those.