A paint sprayer is a tool used for a number of painting needs. A paint sprayer can spray thick paints, sealers, stains, and a number of other liquids. When it comes to the RC painting world, the most of us use spray cans or airbrushes to paint our RC bodies. Lately, I have been doing a good amount of painting and found myself tiring of using masking tape to mask off my bodies.
Liquid mask is another option that gives you a bit more control over the detail you can accomplish over regular masking tape. For some, liquid mask is a favored product for pulling off intricate paint schemes easily. Today, I would like to talk about the application of liquid mask and how I use a paint sprayer to accomplish the task.
What is Liquid Mask?
Liquid mask is a liquid masking film that can be brushed or sprayed onto a surface. Once liquid mask dries, it can be cut and peeled away for painting the surface. Liquid mask works like masking tape but it flows into corners and crevices much better, making it easier to prevent the paint from running under the mask. Brushing liquid mask onto the surface works fine. The liquid mask self levels as it dries and will still give you a smooth finish. Sometimes you will still get lines from the brush strokes in the final texture of the mask. Spraying liquid mask prevents the imperfections you may find with using a brush. Spraying liquid mask also makes for a very smooth surface and great coverage in no time.
There are several brands of Liquid Mask and I have been using Bob Dively brand for a long time. Bob Dively has never let me down and the product works like a charm. Bob Dively also dries in 24 hours and is ready for use. This brand of liquid mask dries to a clear finish with a blue tint. I have heard that the business is currently experiences troubles due to a fire. There are other brands that work similar to his product, but Bob Dively is the one I tested.
: 
Fully cured liquid mask on RC body. Bob Dively
What Paint Sprayer was used for these RC bodies?
Yes, it is possible to spray liquid mask with a number of airbrushes and paint sprayers. I recently used a sprayer from Amazon that worked out great. The results were more than satisfactory and the sprayer was easy to clean as well by detaching the front nozzle portion of the unit and using the supplied wired brush with soap and water I was able to easily clean the paint sprayer after use.
Here is a link to the Paint Sprayer on Amazon : Paint Sprayer Yattich
Above, we can see the contents of the Yattich Paint Sprayer. Everything feels nice and sturdy as well as simple enough for a beginner to use. I like the added lid for the paint bottle in case you would like to store your paint for later use. The nozzle comes apart from the unit for easy cleaning. The measuring cup lets you test the viscosity of the medium you will be spraying. The cleaning brush is a nice addition as well for final cleanup or if you experience any clogging. I did not experience any clogging when using the spray gun straight out of the box.
Yattich Paint Sprayer comes with additional nozzles for larger and finer spray patterns. Installed from the factory, it features the 2.5mm nozzle. I used the 2.5mm nozzle to spray my liquid mask with no problems at all. It did spray a bit thick and I feel as though a 2mm or 1.8 may be a better choice for a lighter even coat.
The included wrench helps with nozzle changes. Changing a nozzle is as simple as using the wrench to loosen and then replacing with the new nozzle. I made sure not to tighten the nozzle too much as I did not want to strip the fitting.
- To use the Yattich Paint Sprayer is simple and easy
- Fill the bottle with liquid mask
- Screw bottle onto spray head/trigger assembly
- Insert trigger assemble into handle
- Plug in the sprayer
- Squeeze the trigger and watch it work
Spraying liquid mask on the RC bodies
You can adjust the spray pattern on the Yattich Paint Sprayer by adjusting the nozzle cap on the front of the unit. (It is the piece right around the nozzle behind the red retainer cap.) I found that using a vertical spray pattern worked good for getting down in the corners of the body. The horizontal spray pattern works just as well when used in a fanning motion from side to side.
I applied one nice wet light coat then used a heat gun to dry the mask a bit before sitting it outside on the front deck to dry for about an hour. The liquid mask will look white at first, but as it dries, it turns clear.
The second coat I applied a lot thicker and wet. Made sure I covered all the body areas and hard to reach corners. I didn’t make the liquid mask run but applied several slow passes equally over the bodies. I did use the window mask for one of the bodies since it was already applied, but they are not necessary when using liquid mask. You can easily let the liquid mask act as a window mask.
I laid down a final third coat after the second round had dried for another hour. This last coat I went heavy again as I was aiming for a nice smooth and thick mask on my bodies. It is not necessary to go as thick as I did, you will be best to find what works for you. Experiment and find the best nozzle and spray pattern project.
With the vertical spray pattern I went with up and down strokes at a moderate speed and full trigger pressed. I would alternate and turn the body on it side and apply left to right strokes with the Yattich Paint Sprayer
How long does it take liquid mask to fully dry?
After the last coat of liquid mask, I let the bodies dry for about 5 hours outdoors in fresh air. The heat gun was used after 5 hours to heat the bodies again and then they were returned outside for 5 more hours. Because I sprayed the mask on so thick it took a while for all of it to turn clear. I used heat 3 times and then let the bodies sit for the rest of 24 hours. The next day the bodies and the mask looked just as planned. Smooth, thick, and clear is how the mask felt to touch.
What are the benefits of a Paint Sprayer and Liquid Mask?
Most times I use masking tape and vinyl cut from a vinyl cutter to mask my RC bodies. Tape takes a lot of work applying and cutting. Liquid mask does take some time, but it is easy to use and makes for excellent details. You must have a good steady hand with a blade for both methods but in my opinion you can do a bit more with liquid mask.
The main difference between liquid mask and masking tape is the way one handles seams and creases compared to the other. Liquid masks flows into crevices and over seams without a problem. Masking tape has to be checked over and over to make sure it does not come up in an area before you spray or you will get paint bleeding under that area that came up. Some areas are almost impossible to mask off with masking tape while liquid mask can flow into those areas and make a nice mask.
Which is better? Liquid mask or masking tape?
At the end of the day… both liquid mask and masking tape can make for a nice paint job. I do not favor one over the other because they both have their place in my arsenal of techniques. If I want to get real funky with a paint scheme, I will go for liquid mask and an airbrush. If I just want to pull of a nice clean paint job with some logos and maybe a two tone, I use masking tape.
That is not to say you cannot pull off a nice paint job with masking tape. I have used masking tape to pull off a number of paint jobs that I think looked good and were pretty complex to complete.
Here is my latest work with masking tape and an airbrush. Arrma Senton with a Pro-Line Racing Flo-Tek body.
So, as you see… masking tape works well. We shall see what liquid mask allows me to unfold… stay tuned!
Final thoughts…
A paint sprayer and liquid mask can make for an easy masking solution. It is easy to clean up with soap and water after you’re done and keeps you from having to use your airbrush for such a thick medium. These paint sprays work great with thick mediums and provide an all in one package for spraying. No compressor needed and no expensive airbrush, just a plug and your medium. I find it to be a perfect solution for those that have a low pressure compressor that may not be able to handle the psi required to spray liquid mask through an airbrush. HVLP spray guns do work well (High volume low pressure), but you still need a compressor to use them with decent psi. The Yattich Paint Sprayer worked will for me and got the job done with ease. I would recommend this product for those looking for an easy solution for spraying liquid mask on RC bodies.
Well, that will wrap things up for this post. I thank all who took the time to read this content and visit the site. Stayed tuned for more Radio Control Patrol content.
Have fun and be safe!
Follow us on
Pintrest
Youtube