Airbrush help...

[Simpo]

Hi guys, did my first touring shell last night, I'm pleased with it but I think I am still missing something!?

After the liquid mask has a couple of layers of paint on it, when I try to peel it, it's starts to lift the paint that is already on the shell. And then ultimately I got paint creeping under.

Does this mean I am laying the paint on too thick? Or do I just have to cut again once I have a couple of layers on top!?

Any help appreciated

Thanks
Simpl

[jonmiller]

firstly, shell looks good. secondly, you shouldn't need to rescore any cut lines. could be applying the paint too thickly or just aren't drying it fully.

[eyeayen]

You could try scuffing the inside of the shell with an old piece of scotch brite or something similar, don't do the windows though. It should make the paint grip better.

Also you might not need to put the paint on as thick as you think. Keeping holding a piece of white paper behind so you can see how dense you've made the colour.

[Simpo]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I do lay it on quite thick, always worried that ill have show through. Will try laying it on thinner. And defiantly try the slight scuffing of the shell. Are we talking, rough side of a scouring pad, or full on wire wool?

[GrahamH7060]

Just out of curiosity , how many coats of liquid mask do you use ? and how many do the pro painters on here recommend ?

[Simpo]

I use 2 heavy coats, the liquid mask itself comes off great, in one piece even into tricky areas, it's just the paint lifting I'm having trouble with.

[gainsy]

I used to brush my lm on but now airbrush it on as i find it gives a great smooth finish & doesn't build up in the cracks of the shell, i use about 5-6 light coats allowed to dry inbetween in the airing cupboard, it can be speeded up using a hair dryer but i dont like doing that
Use a scotch pad for roughing up the shell

[AndyG]

I do 4 light coats with a brush, never tried it with an airbrush .... deffo the most boring part of the process!

[MrMagoo]

Three heavyish coats of LM brushed on for me, and then let it dry naturally. I have sprayed it in the past, it's certainly quicker, goes on more evenly and uses less material - now I'm spraying more again I'm thinking about a small HPLV touch up gun for the mask to speed things up a bit lol.

You're shell looks great mate, I'd have been well chuffed if my first attempt came out like that! As for the paint lifting with the mask, assuming it's water based, my guess would be either grease on the shell, or paint going on too thick and not drying well enough. I always heat my shells slightly before laying down a lot of very thin coats, and using a hot hairdryer between coats to set them.