Best liquid mask?

I see no one's jumping in,I never use liquid masking.I only tried some stuff years ago on a canopy and it was a mess.So I have avoided it.I would be interested I hearing if the newer stuff works better also.

What are you trying to mask ?

TxAggie05

I primarily use Vallejo acrylics and was wondering which was the best liquid mask when using acrylics.

Be aware that certain latex-based liquid mask solutions aren't really acrylic friendly. Humbrol Maskol and Mr Hobby (Gunze) Mr Masking Sol Neo will eat through (Tamiya) acrylics if applied too heavily. I'd suggest that if you're using one of these over acrylics, test on a test mule, apply as thinly as you can, allow to dry and re-coat if required

Tojo72

I see no one's jumping in,I never use liquid masking.I only tried some stuff years ago on a canopy and it was a mess.So I have avoided it.I would be interested I hearing if the newer stuff works better also.

What are you trying to mask ?

 

my wife just got me Star Wars slave 1 from bandai. I wanted to do some chipping effects when painting. 

I have never found a liquid mask that was any good at all.  So I just don't use the stuff.

I tried liquid mask from " The Detailer" and had mixed results.  First I thought it was too thin and hard to remove in places that touched the painted canopy frames. It is a purple colored solution and actually died the interior clear plastic windows with a purple hue.  There is probably a better brand out there but that was the only one I tried using.

TxAggie05

 

Tojo72

I see no one's jumping in,I never use liquid masking.I only tried some stuff years ago on a canopy and it was a mess.So I have avoided it.I would be interested I hearing if the newer stuff works better also.

What are you trying to mask ?

 

 

 

 

my wife just got me Star Wars slave 1 from bandai. I wanted to do some chipping effects when painting. 

 

You could try dry brushing chips,or the "Salt Method" or the "Hairspray Technique" to simulate paint chipping.Just use the search feature and there should be a myriad of threads describing the process.

salt is pretty simple

Tojo72

 

 

TxAggie05

 

Tojo72

I see no one's jumping in,I never use liquid masking.I only tried some stuff years ago on a canopy and it was a mess.So I have avoided it.I would be interested I hearing if the newer stuff works better also.

What are you trying to mask ?

 

 

 

 

my wife just got me Star Wars slave 1 from bandai. I wanted to do some chipping effects when painting. 

 

 

 

 

 

You could try dry brushing chips,or the "Salt Method" or the "Hairspray Technique" to simulate paint chipping.Just use the search feature and there should be a myriad of threads describing the process.

salt is pretty simple

 

I just posted some shots of my Japanese Nell in the aircraft section.  I used the drybrush method for some of the missing paint, and a toothpick tip for some of the smaller chips.

My wife brought home some stuff called "Fineline Masking Fluid Pen" from one of her craft events.  It works about as well as others, but has the added feature of being dispensed from a fine nib:

http://www.ellenhutson.com/fineline-masking-fluid-pen/

As others have said, you HAVE to apply multiple coats before you paint, but it does okay.  Better than trying to cut masking tape around complex shapes.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

I hope nobody minds if I reply to this older thread but I just wanted to add my 2 cents, for what it's worth.  I've used liquid masking agents before but, as others had mentioned above, none of them ever worked to my satisfaction.  Instead, I kinda make my own now.

I use Elmer's white glue mixed with just a drop or two of water at the most.  Then I add just the smallest bit of liquid dish soap to break the surface tension.  After mixing it up, I use paint brushes and/or toothpicks to mask off those nasty canopies with all the framework.  B-36 and Avenger canopies are no longer a problem for me.  

Eric

Belueve it or not !

    I accidently used Elmers on a vehicle model .Didn't realize it till I pulled it off .Result ? One beautiful station Wagon . I next used it on the MONOGRAM B - 36 . Worked great !.

 I mostly don't mask something unless it requires a hard line .  T.B.

echolmberg

I hope nobody minds if I reply to this older thread but I just wanted to add my 2 cents, for what it's worth.  I've used liquid masking agents before but, as others had mentioned above, none of them ever worked to my satisfaction.  Instead, I kinda make my own now.

I use Elmer's white glue mixed with just a drop or two of water at the most.  Then I add just the smallest bit of liquid dish soap to break the surface tension.  After mixing it up, I use paint brushes and/or toothpicks to mask off those nasty canopies with all the framework.  B-36 and Avenger canopies are no longer a problem for me.  

Eric

 

Definitely going to try this.  On a scrap canopy to practice first of coarse. 

Like others, I've tried the Bob Dively stuff and it didn't work.  And yes, I applied multiple layers.

While this is not actually masking, per se, you did mention you were interested in using it for chipping...

I've actually used regular old silicone bathroom caulk for larger areas I wanted expose for a rust effect.  Worked fine.

You can see the blob here on therear of this strut.

I also ran a series of experiments with the AK chipping fluid.  I'd read that if you left it on for more than 20 minutes, the chips became very large.  Not so.  At 1.5 hours they were still very reasonable.  The bottom two are the 2 hr and 3 hr mark.

The finished product isn't very nuanced but it was my first build.  Both methods are used here.