Cleaning masking fluid from paint brushes.

[Gern]

https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/1628683735-76514100.jpg

How about this then

I got a couple of tins of Clever Putty which I think is the same. I'll see what PJ thinks.

[David Lovell]

Xylene (C8H10) cleans just about anything off anything. Very nasty stuff. Breathing in the fumes is not a wise idea. Insert "Warning of Death" here.!

Personally I would not use masking fluid to mask out camouflage areas but rather thin rolls of blue-tac then paper or tape over the larger areas.
there are also several "specialist" jobbies from the likes of AK that cost a fortune, Or silly putty that can the same but is a lot cheaper.

At the risk of repeating myself

[stillp]

Back again folks! I want to use some Vallejo masking fluid for fairly large areas. I assume I can use an ordinary paint brush to apply it, but how on Earth do I clean my brushes afterwards?

Cellulose thinners.
Pete

[boatman]

how about white spirt ?
chrisb

[Nicko]

I usually just use one of those throw-away micro brushes for masking fluid.....

Nick

[Gern]

I got a couple of tins of Clever Putty which I think is the same. I'll see what PJ thinks.

Poor kid nearly fainted when I told him it was £9 per tin!

[Gern]

I wet the brush with clean water before trying to apply the masking fluid, then immediately after finishing, clean the brush with washing up liquid, using your fingers to rub the soap well in & rinsing.
Having said that I only use nylon brushes - the really cheap ones - like kids' brushes 6 for a quid. That way I don't risk any of my expensive brushes!
Dave

I didn't wet the brush before applying the mask so I'll give that a go. And for sure I'll recommend that PJ gets some cheapo brushes.

[Gern]

I got two other suggestions - cellulose thinners and white spirit. I'll give both a try and let you guys know how I get on. Watch this space!

[Gern]

Think I may have the solution. I tried White Spirit and it didn't seem to have any effect. Next up was Cellulose Thinners. While it softened the masking fluid it didn't wash it away so I had to peel it from the bristles - with limited success.

However - neat Ammonia seems to do the trick just fine. I put a few drops into a plastic shot glass (plastic 'cos I read somewhere that Ammonia can affect either stainless steel or chrome - can't remember which) and gently stroked the brush across the bottom of the glass. Then a quick clean up with some liquid soap and job's a good 'un.

Edit: I forgot to suggest you should open a window. Ammonia stinks summat rotten! Anyone who's had babies grow up in their house will know that smell, but the undiluted stuff is really potent.

[BarryW]

I always use disposable micro brushes for liquid mask. Saves the problems of washing brushes.

For flowing camo such as the RAF had I really would recommend products like Panzer Putty. It looks like an expensive initial outlay but it is reusable again and again so it ends up better value than other methods. It also sinks into panel lines and detail preventing bleeding. It is brilliant stuff.

[rtfoe]

I always use disposable micro brushes for liquid mask. Saves the problems of washing brushes.

For flowing camo such as the RAF had I really would recommend products like Panzer Putty. It looks like an expensive initial outlay but it is reusable again and again so it ends up better value than other methods. It also sinks into panel lines and detail preventing bleeding. It is brilliant stuff.

DITTO.

Cheers,
Richard

[Ian M]

I purchased a pack of White tac about six or eight years ago. Still going strong. Still sticks well rolls well and still leaves no marks. I think I gave about a quid for it.
I have only ever used Humbrol liquid mask and Vallejo version. If I recall hot soapy water did the trick.

[zuludog]

I don't know if this will work for dried on masking fluid, but I have used this for the past couple of years to give my brushes a thorough clean now & again, between normal cleaning with white spirit, as I only use enamel paint, and it's excellent

Masters Brush Cleaning Soap -- find it on t'Net, Amazon, and so on, but make sure you get the brush cleaning soap in the fawn coloured plastic tub, and not the Hand Cleaning Soap which is a bar of soap

Search for videos on YouTube and you'll see that it cleans really stubborn dried on paint, so I'm guessing that it will clean up masking fluid as well
And whether it does or not, you'll still have it for your paint brushes anyway.

[Flip]

I've used cocktail sticks to apply it when masking canopies and have usually been successful, but I want to use it to help mark out camo patterns. I've looked at some videos but most of them are art based and they either use a different sort of masking fluid or rely on specific art special chemicals - or even waiting until the fluid dries and then pick it out of the brush using their fingernails! There's gotta be a better way.

Admittedly, the 1:72 Harrier is only a small kit but I used a cocktail stick to apply Maskol to cover the grey in readiness for the green. Load the stick and apply using the side of the stick rather than the point.



Regards,
John

[yak face]

Think I may have the solution. I tried White Spirit and it didn't seem to have any effect. Next up was Cellulose Thinners. While it softened the masking fluid it didn't wash it away so I had to peel it from the bristles - with limited success.

However - neat Ammonia seems to do the trick just fine. I put a few drops into a plastic shot glass (plastic 'cos I read somewhere that Ammonia can affect either stainless steel or chrome - can't remember which) and gently stroked the brush across the bottom of the glass. Then a quick clean up with some liquid soap and job's a good 'un.

Edit: I forgot to suggest you should open a window. Ammonia stinks summat rotten! Anyone who's had babies grow up in their house will know that smell, but the undiluted stuff is really potent.

Of course ! Youve hit the proverbial nail right on the head there dave , I recall using Humbrol maskol years ago and it having a distinct whiff of ammonia .