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Good update Russ, all of that prep work can only result in a better finish in the end.
Have you considered trying out some of the reusable masking putties rather than the one-shot like Maskol?
Looking forward to the next update.
Cheers, D
Thanks D
Haven't heard of re-usable masking putty per-se. But I've tried blu-tack once or twice but was never really convinced on it's re-usability as the overspray embedded into the blu-tack and then seemed to work its way back onto the model at the next use
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Russell,
Those off white bottles really look quite good, and certainly pop right out in that black engine compartment.
Like D said, just a perfect masking job. I've yet to try liquid masks, instead using Silly Putty and White tack which sometimes falls off or separates at the worst time.
Looking forward to seeing the shell in it's color coat.
Joel
Thanks Joel
There's still a little bit of tidying up around the bottles to do thanks to bleeding under the masking tape, and a wash to be applied as well, but I'll do that later on after top coats
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Good preparation, Russ!
Everyone hates molded in detail, except the model manufacturers! 
Have you got good results with that blue tape? in my climate at least have a tendency to un-stick itself and leave lots of "goo" behind. I have relegated it to stick the tiny parts for airbrushing on it.
Gabriel 
Thanks Gabriel
Agreed, manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut costs and it seems the engine bays are the number 1 target. Would be lovely to have separately molded battery, brake boosters, washer bottles and cabling, alas.... 'tis not so. (And I don't have the urge to scratch build them in
)
As for the blue tape, well, it's scotch blue. It's not the low tack stuff (i keep that for mounting sensitive PE for painting as as you suggested) but rather the medium tack. It does peel a little, but the cost advantage over say, Tamiya tape makes it worthwhile when blocking out these larger areas. Having said that, I do use Tamiya tape as well, when detail masking, for example, ship components, or in the case of the Trans Am here, the washer bottles. But as you can see, it still bled a bit and will need tidying up.
