discussion Masking fluid, how to remove from brush?

[pjgtech]

I used Vallejo liquid mask on my current build, (Lynx chopper).
It seems to have worked fine o the cockpit canopy, but I applied it with one of my old paint brushes, and it sort of congeals on the base of the brush and some of the bristles have stuck together!
NB: the bottle does say its for both airbrush and paint brush use, but annoyingly it does advise how to clean up afterwards.
I have tried accrylic thinners, but that did not clean the brush, I have tried plain water and that did not work, I have tried soapy water and that did not work.
Does anyone have any ideas how to clean this stuff off the brush after use?
Cheers

 

[John Race]

Have you any Brush Cleaner ?

 

[pjgtech]

Have you any Brush Cleaner ?

Yes, the sort of cream one in a jar, looks a bit like Brylcream, I'll give it a go.
I have also not yet trued isopropyl alchohol, so will try that too if brush cleaner does not work.
Cheers

 

[pjgtech]

Hmm, ok so I've now tried brush cleaning fluid (Tamiya) with no joy.
Then I tried Isopropyl alcohol (sp?) with no joy.
Both brushes still have remnants of the dried masking fluid on the base of the brushes.
I used two brushes cos I did a little test go with one brush on a bit of scrap clear plastic, then I used a different brush to mask up the actual Lynx canopy, I should have used the same brush, but did not think [ Doh!]
So nothing so far has got rid of the gunk on the brushes, eg: acrylic thinners, alcohol, brush cleaner, water, soapy water, etc.
Anyone got any other ideas?

 

[Jim R]

Last chance saloon - lacquer thinner.

Could also try acetone - nail polish remover.

 

[pjgtech]

Last chance saloon - lacquer thinner.
Could also try acetone - nail polish remover.

Hmm, I do have some lacquer thinner, as I have a very few tins of Tamiya Lacquer, but TBH I never use them, so never use the thinners either, I'll give it a try, cheers.

 

[pjgtech]

I also have some oil paint thinners, not sure if that's the same as other thinners, but will give that a try also if nowt else works...

 

[Andy T]

Vallejo themselves say to clean up with soap & water after use, but do note that if you leave it to dry on a brush it will be very difficult to remove.

 

[Neil]

I use the Humbrol - now I find that use of a cocktail stick and one crappy brush that I only use for masking is the way to go. I just consider the brush a lost cause.

 

[flyjoe180]

I also use Humbrol Maskol. Agree with Neil, if it's not removed immediately afterwards then throw the brush out.

 

[Geoffers]

I’ve never found a good way to clean brushes after applying masking fluid.

Nowadays I use disposable micro brushes like these.



You can pick them up relatively cheaply from various online sites and they save a lot of hassle.

Geoff.


Geoff.

 

[Tim Marlow]

I’d say that brush is dead. Anything able to redissolve latex rubber is going to seriously damage the bristles as well.

 

[wasdale32]

you could try dipping the brush into the masking fluid for a few seconds - I've found that (with Maskol) this will soften the latex and then hot water and soap will remove most of the residue - however the gunk that has got into the ferrule at the base of the bristles will be impossible to remove. One option is to buy a couple of nylon brushes - I find these don't grip the latex in the same way as natural bristles

 

[pjgtech]

I’ve never found a good way to clean brushes after applying masking fluid.
Nowadays I use disposable micro brushes like these.
You can pick them up relatively cheaply from various online sites and they save a lot of hassle.
Geoff.

No! now that's summit else I've gotta buy, Lol......

 

[pjgtech]

So I tried acetone last night and this did seem to get rid of most of it, still bits round the ferrule though.
I think I left it on the brush for too long. Luckily these were not expensive brushes, and I have lots of brushes anyway.
I'll just have to scratch this one up to experience and learn from it.
Don't leave the masking fluid on the brushes too long.
Maybe have one or a couple of sacrificial brushes just for this job.
Maybe invest in some cheap micro brushes.
But overall I was impressed with the masking fluid itself, seemed to do a good job and once painted and left to dry, it easily peeled off the model ok, with no residue.

 

[Ian M]

xylene will remove anything. Its not nice stuff but works on pretty much any and everything.
The best though is to wash the brush i warm soapy water while the masking fluid is still wet.