Rob Phillips

iTrader: (6)

Well I decided to give liquid mask another shot. I tried it one time several years ago, but preferred using masking tape. This time around I really see the advantages of using it much more than I did before.

My biggest complaint this time is that I put on the masking way too thin. That made getting the masking off a bit difficult which cause issues with some of the parts I wanted to leave on there. Other than that, I liked it. It's also nice to be able to cut all the masking then just spray and peel.

So how do you tell if you sprayed the mask on thick enough? I used my Iwata CR airbrush and thinned it by about 30-40% with water and then sprayed about 5-6 coats. Then I tried spraying un-thinned LM, and I sprayed about 2 more coats. Overall I would say that it was only about half of the thickness that it needed to be. Does this sound right? Next time I'm thinking about trying a different airbrush, either an automotive type gravity fed that I have, or an old Badger 150 siphon fed and see if that works better.

Any tips or advice?

Rob Phillips

iTrader: (6)

Other thoughts: Damn a Durango body!

Colors_By_Dave

iTrader: (84)

I use a 2" paintbrush, and apply 5 thin coats. They dry quickly with a hairdryer/fan.
Minimal cleanup.

Bfutura15

iTrader: (8)

I use a HVLP spray gun and spray 3-4 medium coats. I personally would not use an airbrush to sray. When I did brush I followed Dave's instructions.

spdrac430

iTrader: (35)

I use a trim in gun 4 to 5 medium coats if im not rushed hair dryer or just som air flow and its ready I sometimes leave a spot for a test cut just to see if im thick enough

matt*strike

iTrader: (41)

I use a 1 inch foam brush and do three thick coats never fails

1tenner

iTrader: (37)

Thats what I do - buy the purple $15 HVLP gun from harbor freight, then one with the plastic paint feeder. It's awesome. 3 good coats, or 4 if you are having problems with thin mask. Hit it with the heat gun or hair dryer in between coats. Takes around an hour if you keep your coats thin enough to dry reasonably fast. I usually plan ahead so I can let the LMF cure overnight. I've only painted 3 bodies that way so far, but it was easy and effective.

Rob Phillips

iTrader: (6)

I have a Kolbalt HPLV Paint Gun and was thinking about giving it a try...looks like it should work just fine then.

Thanks for the tips!

JourneyMan

iTrader: (91)

anyone try the blue harbour freight airbrush?

KainK

iTrader: (25)

I use the $10 external mix airbrush from harbor freight. The one that comes with 5 cups. I mix the liquid mask to water about 60/40 and spray 4-5 solid coats. I like spraying it better because it makes the cut lines easier to see.

alex4r

iTrader: (12)

Masking is my least favorite part about the whole process of painting, after brushing two 32oz jugs of dively, I think I'm ready to make it easier on myself. But, I've always been under the impression that you have a lot of waste when you spray it. I would think a cheap airbrush from harbor freight like KainK would be the most efficient, right? Do you guys waste more than you did when brushing it on?

KainK

iTrader: (25)

It seems I use quite a bit less. There isnt much overspray. It is quite a bit more even rather than getting the thick spots were its hard to get the brush in there nice. With the little cups that come with this brush it takes 2/3 of one of the 3/4 oz cups to do one coat on a short course body. I usually do 4-5 coats so thats probably a little less that 2 oz. of the 60/40 mixture.

Flying Monkey

iTrader: (54)

I use a blush make up brush and place in front of a fan for about 5-10 min between coats and do 5 coats.

3D-Seth

iTrader: (36)

I normally take an epoxy brush (I buy them in bulk for the airplane stuff), and lay on 4 medium coats. If I have some intricate pin striping or something, I'll lay 2 coats, then my pin stripe tape (1/16", 1/8", etc.), and then lay on two more coats. The pin stripe tape acts like a guide to help cut a little nicer line. I'll also let each coat completely dry before I apply the next coat. I tried taping it off, but this is sooooo much easier. I'll also draw out the scheme on the outer protective film in sharpie, and that acts as a guide when I cut out the mask as well.

1967rs

iTrader: (56)

I use a cheap HVLV gun from HF with the 1.4mm tip. I do 4-5 bodies at a time using fasmask, I do not reduse the mask, the large tip lets me get away with this, with an airbrush I am guessing you will need to reduse. First I hit all the hard/tight areas then one heavy coat ofer the whole body, let it dry overnight and it is ready to start cutting. I don't know if I use more or less then with using a brush, but the time saved is worth more then any extra mask used