Liquid mask questions

[gene465]

Hello all, I am trying the Bob Dively liquid mask and I had problems using my air brush even after thinning it. I wound up putting in on with a sponge brush. It coated it pretty good and I put three to four coats on using a hairdryer in between to expedite the drying process. Will this method work do I have enough mask on? As this is my first liquid mask I don't want to mess this up. I tried liquid mask years ago but it did not work out for me(think I had it on too thin) I have a Badger compressor and Paashce airbrush and it just does not put out the PSI. Its rated right at 35 PSI and works good as long as I am not doing a large area. I wish they made liquid mask in an Aerosol! :D Any way any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Gene

[Yendor]

Gene; Forget trying to spray the liquid mask. That is realy for those who are painting a large number of bodies at one time. Put on three coats of mask using a paintbrush and let each coat dry (you may use a hairdryer) before applying the next. That makes the masks thick enough to cut with an x-acto knife and easy to peal off.

[RidgewayBodies]

I spray every body that I paint. I use a Badger 200 with a large tip. I screw the needle out as far as possible. Crank the pressure up to about 80-90 psi and spray about 3-4 heavy coats. Sometimes I have problems with the tip clogging. To remedy that, I screw the needle back in and remove the build-up of masking on the tip. For the most part, I have great results using my method.

Since your air compressor does not go above 35psi, brushing it on might be the only solution for you.

[Greg15]

I tried liquid mask for the first time the other day as well. Same problem with the air brush getting cogged. I ended up brushing some on. When I went to cut it, where I cut it pulled apart, is this because its too thin?

[Piggy89373]

Greg, chances are, your problem was because the LM was on too thin. A couple more coats and you might have had no problems.

Gene, you can still spray LM on using 30 psi, but you'll have to do some serious thinning. I gave up spraying LM because I only do one body at a time and it saves me frustration when the brush clogs. Your best bet is to spend the 2 bucks (or less) for a 4" paint brush. LM will go on much easier and quicker, and there's a lot less hassle. The ridges that are left behind will allow more coats to go on smoother.

Lastly, when cutting LM, make sure you have a fresh unused and very sharp blade. When cutting LM, do not overdo the pressure applied to the blade, it'll still cut the masking and won't score the inside of the lexan.

[gene465]

Thanks for the responses guys, Unfortunately the air compressor is not that good and my air brush is about 15 years old but it does the trick for paints. The foam brush worked pretty good and when I cut it with a new hobby knife it peeled right off so I am good to go. Greg what do you mean it pulled apart. When you cut it, it is supposed to pull off. Do you mean it went past where you cut it at. If so then maybe you did not cut through the mask, carefull not to cut too deep though. How many coats did you put on? 3-4 would be good, and make sure you are not using the watered down stuff you tried to spray with.

[Greg15]

I sprayed a few coats and then brushed on one, thinking it was enough. When I cut it instead of having a straight cut the width of the blade, it cut, but pulled apart, so the cut line was alot wider than the blade. The mask was real rubbery, sort of like cutting rubber.

I'll wash the body again and brush some on. I may need another bottle as I wasted heaps trying to spray it on.

[RidgewayBodies]

I sprayed a few coats and then brushed on one, thinking it was enough. When I cut it instead of having a straight cut the width of the blade, it cut, but pulled apart, so the cut line was alot wider than the blade. The mask was real rubbery, sort of like cutting rubber.

I'll wash the body again and brush some on. I may need another bottle as I wasted heaps trying to spray it on.
Sounds like your blade is dull. Try a brand new blade.

[gene465]

Ridge has a point, I wound up using two blades on my body. It is finished but did not come out quite they way I wanted to. I liked using the liquid mask as it leaves alot of room to do what you want with it but it can be complicated depending on how intricate the paint job will be. About halfway through it started to tear instead of cut so I replaced the new blade again. It is alot easier to do straight lines rather than curves it is also hard to see your cut lines especially if you are not following your own marker lines! Overall I liked using it and can't wait until I get a few more bodies and paint. I intend to spend more time on planning and drawing the body out. Thanks all for your responses. I will be sure and post my picture once I am done cutting it out and decaling it. Gene

[Greg15]

That will be it, dull blade. Thanks.

[gene465]

Well it was a learning experience and now I can't wait to start another. Here is the link to the painted body I just got done. Thanks for the comments guys!
http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=183821