Trying my hand at using liquid masks(MicroMask) for camo patterns fo rthe first time tonight.
Overall I’m fairly pleased with the results, but I see needs for fine tuning.
Primarily, when I peeled th mask off (kinda fun actually [:D]) I took with it some very small bits of the underlying base coat. The way i see it I have two options in the future.
1…Either lay down a heavier basecoat…possibly a solution since mine tonight was a bit thin.
Or…seal the basecoat with something that will protect it from the mask., (future, or some dullcote or something else)
Anyway like I said, overall I call it a 80% successful experiment…just need a few tweaks to make it perfect.
Never used liquid mask for cammo, But… have heard & seen pix of one of us (can’t remember his name) using modeling clay, I think “Playdoh” is what it is, seems to be getting real nice results.
I thought the whole idea behind liquid masks was for complex curves and such. I seem to recall reading somewhere about ppl using it for camo.
In regards to playdoh…I’ve tried it with very messy results. It tends to dry onto the plastic needing to be chipped off. It also gets stuck in panel lines. Just my personal experience with it.[B)]
What kind of paint did you use for the base coat? Some (many / most?) of the liquid masks state on the container not to use them with aqueous (water-based) paints which would include most acrylics. Plus, if you used acrylic without any enamel or laquer primer that is could also be part of your problem.
Liquid mask shouldn’t have bothered enamel at all. For one reason or another the paint wasn’t adhereing properly because it should have come loose that easily. Could have been some oil or grease on the model (oil from hands, mold lubricant from the molding process; I always clean parts with alcohol) or it wasn’t completely cured. If you sprayed a heavy coat it can take a while to cure fully. When airbrushing I recommend several light coats as opposed to one heavy coat with sufficient drying time in between coats.
I don’t know what caused it, but with enamel it shouldn’t have happened. Maybe it will behave next time you use it.
Try “Sticky Tac” cj, it doesnt dry up whan painted over. Faber Castell makes these. it’s called tack-it if im correct. mold it in the shape you want.stick it,paint over it,then remove! it doesn’t harm the underlying paint job at all…
Did you prime before putting on your basecoat? I’ve found that priming the model first and letting the primer sit for a couple days before applying the basecoat works well…never had any paint pulling problems that way.
Also, just because the paint has “flashed” off on the surface and looks dried, it still takes 24hrs to cure , Prior to that it will peel with liquid mask.
Did you rush it ?
, also if you apply the mask before this drying has taken place, you will trp the solvent under it and it will take longer. .