Camo Masking with Latex

Tools 'n' Tips Article by Andres Acuña

 

Hello everyone,

I want to share you my technique to paint camo schemes. Recently I was working on an Airfix 1/24 scale Hurricane model.  Last weekend I painted the dark green color and I thought it would make a good "Tool N Tips" article.    Notice the technique I used for masking...  I cut thin strips of masking tape to outline the contour of the camo pattern...  and then I applied the liquid latex.  When latex dries, I paint... and when paint is dry, I take off the latex with the masking tape...  It´s the easy way to mask complicated camo schemes...

 

 
Applying the mask: Thin masking tape strips drawing the contour plus latex
 Masking all the pattern...
Airbrushing the darkgreen color.  

You must be careful not to get any overspray on any areas not covered in the latex. 


 Taking off the mask it is very easy...
and clean 
And finally...  you get it!  The easy way!
 

Regards from Cali, Colombia, and Happy Modeling!  

 
Andrés Acuña

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Additional info and WARNING

A word of caution about liquid latex

I enjoyed ready Andres' Tools n Tips article about using liquid latex as a masking agent. I have used a liquid latex product called Mold Builder which I purchased from Micromark. It works extremely well and is very easy to remove. My only caution in using this stuff, and it is a big caution, is that if you apply it over acrylic paints, it will dissolve the paint! This happens because one of the main ingredients is ammonia.

For enamel and lacquer based paints, it works extremely well and does not harm the paint.

Lee

Photos and text © by Andres Acuña