Liquid Masking help

[PyroMike]

When you use liquid mask do you score it then remove what part of the paint job you are on, or do you cut your desing out when you get there?

[DerekB]

Liquid mask requires some extra thinking in the planning stages. You first get a good thick coat on there and cut the design out that you want to paint. You want to start with the drak colors and work to the light ones. It's simple but yet a pain to setup. It also depends on the design. If you have a tribal design you may want to peel all the main color off first then save that spot for last.

[PyroMike]

Liquid mask requires some extra thinking in the planning stages. You first get a good thick coat on there and cut the design out that you want to paint. You want to start with the drak colors and work to the light ones. It's simple but yet a pain to setup. It also depends on the design. If you have a tribal design you may want to peel all the main color off first then save that spot for last.
A little more help would be nice.

[DerekB]

I can't paint the thing for you :)

[PyroMike]

Just explane things a little more. I've never used liquid mask before.
I only want info on what to do after it is in the body, and if scoreing all of my desing will work before I paint it.

[DerekB]

When I used it alot I cut out the entire thing, because once you paint you can't see the lines well. So I put it on, cut it all out and peeled the sections I painted first off.

[Stan@1stPlaceRace]

Draw your whole design, apply 4-6 coats, let it dry overnight. Cut the whole thing out. Try to do your dark colors first, Get in a high light area when you start to remove your masking, the cut design gets hard to see after you start to paint. Dont sweat it, the stuff works awesome and will tack back down if you peel a little up you did not want.

[PyroMike]

When I used it alot I cut out the entire thing, because once you paint you can't see the lines well. So I put it on, cut it all out and peeled the sections I painted first off.


Draw your whole design, apply 4-6 coats, let it dry overnight. Cut the whole thing out. Try to do your dark colors first, Get in a high light area when you start to remove your masking, the cut design gets hard to see after you start to paint. Dont sweat it, the stuff works awesome and will tack back down if you peel a little up you did not want.
So cut it all out first, then peel up the area you want to paint.
That sounds easyer then it sounds.
Thanks for the help Derek & Stan. http://www.xtremerc.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif http://www.xtremerc.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif

[Stan@1stPlaceRace]

Yep, actually that "from start to finish" thread I did awhile back pretty much shows the liquid masking process. If you get stuck just post some pics of what you're working on and I will try to help.

[webmasher]

I too drew the design on the outside of the body and then put on 5 or 6 coats of mask. I cut out the entire design and then started to paint. For more complex designs, you could put a number on areas that of the same color so that you can tell which to peel. A little trick I use is to flip over the body after I have peeled the mask for a color and look at it from the outside. You may catch areas that you missed that way.
The mask you use also makes a difference. Myself, I only use Bob Divley mask. I occasionally is hard to get, but I bought big enough quanities that I am safe.
Good luck

[PyroMike]

I too drew the design on the outside of the body and then put on 5 or 6 coats of mask. I cut out the entire design and then started to paint. For more complex designs, you could put a number on areas that of the same color so that you can tell which to peel. A little trick I use is to flip over the body after I have peeled the mask for a color and look at it from the outside. You may catch areas that you missed that way.
The mask you use also makes a difference. Myself, I only use Bob Divley mask. I occasionally is hard to get, but I bought big enough quanities that I am safe.
Good luck
I was plannig on geting the Bob Divley line of mask. I read that it is the best one in the market. When you cut out the whole design it wont bleed like masking type along the score lines?
So liquid mask is easyer to use then masking type?

[davecnitrors4]

I have used Dively and Hobbico brand and I wonder if they aren't the same stuff? Look and smell (pew) about the same.

Way better than masking tape for intricate areas. Tape is still fine for large areas to cover (and cheaper).

[Dave]

I made the switch from masking tape to liquid mask and will never go back. It's much easier than tape.

If you use a decent 1" wide paint brush (the inexpensive ones at hardware stores) you can get away with three good coats of liquid mask. That's all I use. Anymore than that it it starts to get a little tough to cut and peel (especially if laid over window mask). Less than that and it tears when removing. Three good coats is all you really need. Just make sure you use a bristle brush and not a sponge.

I hope that helps.

By the way I use a liquid mask made by Spraylat called sign strip -blue. Most good airbrush stores and possibly sign shops will carry it. Or you can buy it online. Just Google "Spraylat sign strip" or call Coast Airbrush (714) 635-5557. You can buy it by the gallon if you do a lot of painting.

[nitroracerx7]

I made the switch from masking tape to liquid mask and will never go back. It's much easier than tape.

If you use a decent 1" wide paint brush (the inexpensive ones at hardware stores) you can get away with three good coats of liquid mask. That's all I use. Anymore than that it it starts to get a little tough to cut and peel (especially if laid over window mask). Less than that and it tears when removing. Three good coats is all you really need. Just make sure you use a bristle brush and not a sponge.

I hope that helps.

By the way I use a liquid mask made by Spraylat called sign strip -blue. Most good airbrush stores and possibly sign shops will carry it. Or you can buy it online. Just Google "Spraylat sign strip" or call Coast Airbrush (714) 635-5557. You can buy it by the gallon if you do a lot of painting.


Wow! Thank Y'all for sharing all of your great tips and tricks!
I too have made the switch from masking tape to Bob Dively's liquid mask. I have a Paasche "H" -Single Action- airbrush with a #5 tip -and other #5 related parts- dedicated to spraying nothing but liquid mask. I've found it to be a lot easier to cut accurately with the smooth finish the airbrush application provides v/s a bristle brush. I generally open the flow on the needle as heavy as it will go, and still work correctly. I use 50-60 psi, (listen closely to the flow, and watch for a nice wet, round, pattern) Using Bob Dively's liquid mask thinned with distilled water -until I can keep a nice wet coat-. Temp, pressure, and such will dictate the amount of water to thin it with. I try to watch as I stir in the cup...and check the flat stick I use frequently to see if the mix will begin to sag readily -and slowly drip from the tip of the stick- then I try it..and thin/add mask to suit.) I also employ a heat gun between coats to speed it along a little. How much/many coats? That depends... If your design is simple, three or four heavy -Till the body has a 'coke bottle green' look to it. If I know I'll be cutting out tiny stuff -Like the butterflies on my wife's HPI, PT Cruiser body, I laid 5-7 heavy coats down. *Note!* When cutting out your designs/graphics, be careful when peeling away -fresh- masking...as you may use it for a 'patch', if ever disaster finds it way into your paint work at some point. I keep a piece of wax paper from the kitchen handy to store them on as I'm working...just in case ;) I hope that will help...or at least add to your options when deciding which way is right for you :)
nx7

[MK_Arbiter]

Will it work if you thin out the liquid mask and airbrush it?

[davecnitrors4]

Yes, I've read that some guy shoot it thru an airbrush. Brushing is SO EASY though. Why mess up an airbrush? It doesn't have to go on super smooth/even. I say brush it.

[MK_Arbiter]

where would i get a wide brush?

[davecnitrors4]

where would i get a wide brush?
The Ace Hardware store.