Thread: Liquid masking tape?

Originally Posted by neksmerj

My Hercus lathe restoration continues......stop yawning, it's important to me.

I am at the stage of applying primer to cast/machined parts.

In many cases, masking off castings that are curved, and have machined flat surfaces, is difficult.

Is there a paint on rubber type masking product that will enable me to mask off some of the intricate areas with a brush, something that when dry, will just peel off.

It's over to you, the experts.

Regards,

Ken

What about oil or wax?

Originally Posted by neksmerj

My Hercus lathe restoration continues......stop yawning, it's important to me.

I am at the stage of applying primer to cast/machined parts.

In many cases, masking off castings that are curved, and have machined flat surfaces, is difficult.

Is there a paint on rubber type masking product that will enable me to mask off some of the intricate areas with a brush, something that when dry, will just peel off.

It's over to you, the experts.

Regards,

Ken

Yes , go to an art supply store and get a bottle of artists liquid mask .
Its a water base liquid rubber ,when dry you can paint over it and it will just peel off. after the paint is dry
Alternatively,, I have used pva glue as a mask when airbrushing models ,let it dry ,paint over and then use a tooth pick to lift the edge ,then peel it off.

Blue tack also can be used as a masking media.

Kev

Hi Bobl,

Not quite what I had in mind.

When you sneek into your local newsagent, and hopefully the missus is up the street looking in the dress shop, you spy your favourite magazine with a CD attached to the back, with some sort of sticky, elastic material.

That's the sort of stuff I think I need. What is it?

Ken

Hi Woodlee,

Your answer came in as I was posting my next post.
Thanks mate, will check it out.

Ken

You can also get liquid masking fluid at larger hobby shops - some may still have 'Maskol' by Humbrol (Humbrol went bust a few months ago). There are other brands.

There are several liquid masking solution available for the auto trade. It will depend on what type of paint you are going to use whether they will work satisfactorly. If its water soluble it probably will be Ok to use with solvent based paints.

The ones ones for cars are sprayed on to all areas you want to keep overspray off after you run a strip of masking paper and tape around the perimiter of your paint area. As the solvents used in these paint is strong they have too work really well or they can cause big problems to the vehicle if they fail. Maybe overkill for your job hobby ones may be good enough.

Say you were spraying a front guard you would tape down the front door across the bonnet and then spray the solution over bonnet door windscreen,front wheel, grill and any other palce close to the areas being painted maybe even over the whole of the rest of the car. It not only masks off the area it also traps and pins down any dirt so it doesn't blow off into the paint while spraying. Once dry you finally wash and clean the area to be painted to remove any material that may have got on the surface.

You usually put on a thick layer which is easier to remove after the job is finished as it will peel off without tearing. You can also wash it off with water as its water soluble. I'de put a couple of coats on to gain extra protection and make it easier to peel or scrape off. You probably don't need to hose down the lathe.

Its often used in movies if they need to have a particular coloured car. Just spray it all over the car paint it the new colour and when finished hose it off, saves a lot of expense.

Suppliers of automotive paint equipment keep it. Most paint companies make a version, 3M also has one. One brand is called "mask and Spray" another "green slime" from memory.

As you are only doing a small lathe maybe you can get a small amount from a panel beater as its more than likely it will only be available in 4 litre size.

I presume you intend spraying the paint on your lathe, I always brush any paint I need to apply to my lathe ( no need for any masking) , more that good enough finish as most lathe bits are castings and a bit rough unless they are machined surfaces and they are usually left bare.

Originally Posted by neksmerj

Hi Woodlee,

Your answer came in as I was posting my next post.
Thanks mate, will check it out.

Ken

Windsor and Newton Water Colour Art Masking Fluid it's called, about $7.00 for a 75 ml bottle.
Bsrlee mentions Humbrol masking fluid which is a similar product , but in a much smaller bottle .
I found the Windsor and Newton stuff dosen't dry as fast as the Humbrol stuff which makes it easier to apply.It's a bugger when it dries on the brush before you get to apply it . Maybe it's just the higher temps here.
My bottle of Humbrol I have has gone off ,but the Windor and Newton is still liquid ,I've had it for about 4 years .
I have sprayed enamel , water based acrylic and laquer paints over it with no problems.

In another life as a Photographer we used a liquid rubber on those areas of black then selectively tone sepia for skin tones then when processed the liquid rubber peeled of to find top black. Then the print was hand coloured,this happened into the 70,s
Regards Peter

Solver Paints makes a waterbased strippable coating which can be brushed or sprayed.

It was developed for the sign writing industry, where they could spray this on perspex, polycarbonate or other surfaces and the cut out areas like a stencil.

After painting the strippable coating is then removed and the paint stays behind, simple. There is no bleeding under the strippable coating like you get with masking tape.

Can't remember the cost, but any Solver outlet will be able to help you.

Thank you all,

Woodlee,

Windsor and Newton masking fluid it is.

Durwood,

Sounds like you have painted a few cars in your time, and yes, I am going to spray my lathe. Well I have to now, having just purchased a compressor, an airbrush and spray gun. eBay would go broke if I stopped buying, or maybe I'll go broke.

Ken

Woodley,

As per your suggestion, I tried some pva glue. Reckon it had gone off, smelled like cats p.ss, and had thickened up.

The problem I had was removal, it peeled off ok, but tainted the polished metal underneath.

Not to worry, invested in some proper artist's masking liquid, same brand as you suggested at $10.50. Looks pretty thick, will do a trial run next up.

Ken