Maskol....how to use it and where to get it?

I have used Maskol for many years now and have never had a problem with it on acrylics, which is my choice of paint for 99% of my modeling.

I also haven't had a problem with it on Future, but I don't leave it on for any more than a couple of days.
It dries to a rubbery finish, like latex, and paint won't bleed under, never has for me.
As for splatter effect, I use a small piece of foam, dip it LIGHTLY in Maskol, and gently dab it onto the model.
After a few minutes it has dried, then I spray as required and remove the Maskol with a latex glove.

Great stuff. and definately worth putting in the toolbox.

Sounds great guys.....

I'll give her a go

QUOTE: Originally posted by CrypticModel splatter effect?? thish shounds easier than the ole salt chipping. any comments???

Where I have seen this in magazine articles the modellers have used the more liquid Gunze product and either truly splattered the mask onto the model off a toothbrush, or applied it carefully but randomly with a small piece of sponge. The finished result has always looked excellent and I am eager to try it myself sometime.

QUOTE: Originally posted by cj95 Question just to clarify.......to remove, you wash it off with water? --Or did I misunderstand you? Also, I should not use it as at the edge of my paint pattern (or whatever) ie....I can't 'paint' a camo pattern over a basecoat and then overspray it, expecting to wash off a perfect camo pattern? Thanks for the tips.

Sorry if I mislead you: by cleanup I meant cleanup of the brush you use to apply the mask to the model!! For removal of the mask on the model you just peel it off and it doesn't leave any residue to my mind. You could use it to edge a camo pattern if you wish but I choose not to personally.

splatter effect?? thish shounds easier than the ole salt chipping. any comments???

QUOTE: Originally posted by cj95 Ok some good tips here...I think I definately need to add this to my toolkit. Question just to clarify.......to remove, you wash it off with water? --Or did I misunderstand you?

I think he meant that the eventuall residue could be cleaned with water. The maskol itself tries into a latex-like material and is easy to just peel off.

Ok some good tips here...I think I definately need to add this to my toolkit.

Question just to clarify.......to remove, you wash it off with water? --Or did I misunderstand you?

Also, I should not use it as at the edge of my paint pattern (or whatever) ie....I can't 'paint' a camo pattern over a basecoat and then overspray it, expecting to wash off a perfect camo pattern?


Thanks for the tips.

Thanks Remcogrob that's a lesson learnt - good job I use enamels then eh!! LOL. What about future over dried Maskol (I have done this without problems) - what are your thoughts?

A warning about maskol, you cannot use it on acrylics (or future). Maskol contains ammonia and this will damage the acrylic.
You can use is safely and easely on enamels.

Maskol is a liquid mask that should be readily available at any hobby store that stocks the Humbrol range of paints. There are others including Gunze masking Neo-Sol (I think that's correct) and some people choose to use artists liquid masks such as those made by Daler and Rowney. This later company make a liquid mask specifically for use with acryllic paints. I use the Maskol with enamels but see no reason why it couldn't be used with acryllic paints. I do not use it as a sole masking agent but rather to fill in areas already delineated by masking tape (Tamiya). In this regard it is easy to remove as the tape gives you something to grab on to. I haven't had paint bleed but do apply quite a thick layer. The instructions say remove within 3 days but it has been my experience that the "mask" can be left pretty much indefinitely. Clean up with water. One way to use liquid masks on armor is to flick a random pattern over a basecoat then apply the top coat (say winter finish) before removing the mask (use a latex glove to give some grip and "wipe" the mask off to reveal a chipped effect). The pic below doesn't show it very well as I have painted but the tape/blu tack masks on top of the forward fuselage have been sealed with Humbrol Maskol.