Airbrush masking

[Wasshead]

I've trotted out the old airbush and am looking to add some subtle detailing to my figures. I have used liquid friskett, but find it a pain in the butt to use, Plus it smells like rotting fish.
I thought it might be easier to use a putty as a mask material. Does anyone know of a putty that I can apply over a painted surface that will stick..but not harm the painted surface beneath when removed? Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[DangerAtom]

Silly Putty works great.

 

[Automata]

Hi Dave,

Another method is to use a product called parafilm. It is widely used in plastic modelling for masking. Testors used to sell it in small rolls that contained enough to last a figure modeller 3 lifetimes. It is a waxy film that when stretched becomes pliable and sticky. You can then apply it to the figure and manipulate it to whatever shape you want. I have never had it leave any residue and it comes off easily without lifting paint.

Barry

 

[Johan]

A wise man (you know who you are) once suggested to me that I should use blu-tack to mask - blu-tack is that blue stuff which you use to do a pre assembly or to hold figures into place during transport.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

For easier tasks a handheld papermask cut to the apropiate size or shape is to prefer.

You hold the mask in the lefthand and the airbrush in the right (if youre righthanded that is, otherwise just change) moving the mask around while airbrushing preventing overspray.

The piece being painted must be fixed though. I pick up this neat trick when I saw a nail-sculptor/painer working.

 

[quang]

Hello Dave,

I found Blu-Tack (Silly Putty in the US, Patafix in France) a very useful substitute to Maskol.

The BT is applied with a toothpick and can be removed after the spraying without adverse effect to the model surface. Just make sure that the paints are well dried before applying the BT for a new painting session.

You can also create irregular edges by teasing with the tip of the toothpick as can be seen on the pics below (Yellow Moon's pinto).

HTH

Q.

 

[y_wong]

Dear Quang,

I just came over from the Hair Advise thread. Like Gary, both of u tend to go that extra mile to illustrate with pictures the technique involved. As they said, a picture is worth a thousand words. It sure helps. Thanks for sharing.

regards

 

[quang]

Hello Wong,

No merit here. The pics are part of a s-b-s on the painting of the horse that I intended to post on the planet earlier on.

But as always, it was delayed because of lack of time. I hope I can post it soon (before boring the members to death with my promises )

Cheers,

Q.

I guess Yau is your family name, so I'd call you Wong. Please, correct me if I'm wrong.