Maskol's ruining my brushes!!!

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

Howdy,

I’ve posted something similar in this forum a while ago in respect of washing Maskol out of my brushes.

Last time I was advised Lacquer thinner would wash it out. I’ve bought some but it still doesn’t get rid of the maskol - my brushes are turning into purple rubber messes.

I thin the maskol with water, then apply, then wash my brush with Lacquer thinner. Is it the thinning with water that is causing me problems?

I’d like to get this sorted before i ruin another brush.

Thanks for you tips.

cml

2

I don’t use Maskol, but if it’s reduceable (thinned) with water it’s probably not compatible with one or more solvents in your lacquer thinner. Most people don’t seem to realize that the solvent blend in “lacquer thinner” varies considerably between brands.

If it’s thinned with water, it’s an aqueous system, probably a latex. Soap or detergent and water, or an ammonia cleaner, would be my suggestions.

3

It was probably me who said to use lacquer thinners.

The instructions on the side of the jar state that cellulose (lacquer) thinners should be used to clean brushes. However, when you use lacquer thinners, the dried maskol doesn’t dissolve. Rather, it breaks up into tiny chunks which, with a bit of effort, you can eventually get out of the brush.

Soap and water may work if the brush is still wet, but in my experience, Maskol skins over and dries very quickly. It does have a very pungent, almost offensive odour which suggests that it’s ammonia based, so as Ross has suggested above, try an ammonia based cleaner.

I rarely use brushes with Maskol, most of the time I use pointed toothpicks.

4

For the liquid masks I do use, I’ve found Phil’s method works well, as to “micro” brushes for larger areas.

5

There is always Acetone. If that does not work, nothing will !

6

Thanks for your responses everyone.

I understand Windex is ammonia based (please correct me if i’m wrong), so i’ll give that a go.

I think i’ll also start having a go with toothpicks to lay it down.

If i have any other q’s, i’ll be sure to post them here.

cml

7

Have you found anything better to apply Maskol than a toothpick?

8

Windex does contain ammonia, but be sure the label states that as some cleaners are billed as “Ammonia Free” as some multi-surface products are. The ammonia could damage some painted surfaces and etch aluminum.