WHAT? Elmer’s glue as a paint mask?

I did a little Scale Model Experiment while working on the Tamiya Subaru Impreza WRC 2002 car. I tried using Elmer’s school glue as a paint mask. Watch the video and see how it works… this was not my original idea. My friend Brandon at Mile High Scale Modeler told me about the process. Check out his channel here:
/ @milehighscalemodeler
Thanks for all of your support of the channel. We are growing into a sizable channel now. I really appreciate all of you!
James
Model car club AMT Revell Round2 Tamiya hasegawa fujimi Johan scale model car 1/24 1/25 plastic ford Plymouth dodge mopar Chevy fun plastic modeling

[@paolocapecchi5182]

Great video. I learned with other modelers that mixing white glue and dishwash soap (50% - 50%) works very well for masking, and it's easier to remove. The dishwash soap adds some color to the mix and makes it more visible.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

That’s a great tip! I’ll pin it to the top for others to see. I’ll give it a shot next time I mask something! I appreciate you watching and supporting the channel. Thanks!

[@paulsmessybenchmodels2602]

Cool tip James! Sometimes when I am using a masking fluid I’ll put a small piece of tape on first to make removing the mask easier.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks a great point Paul. Next time o try the technique I’ll make a hard line with tape and fill in the rest with glue. I appreciate your support bud!

[@petermerz2704]

Hey James, cool tip! Thanks for sharing. Happy days and model on! 😎🇨🇦

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Peter for watching, I appreciate your support.

[@PlasticImaginationWorkshop]

Great tip, thanks for sharing. I've used this technique before but since I use acrylics, I always shoot a coat of clear (non acrylic) before masking with the glue. For the most part, works great and definitely easier than tape and cheaper than liquid mask. Thanks again, have a great day. -David

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks David, that’s a good point when using acrylics to shoot a coat of sealer clear over them. I appreciate you watching bud.

[@seanh2390]

hi James - very interesting video. thanks for posting it.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Sean for watching. I appreciate your support.

[@neilreddick3062]

Nice idea and demo James! TY!

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thank you Neil for watching and supporting the channel. I really appreciate it!

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Nice tip. Thanks for sharing.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Big Charlie for watching! I appreciate your support.

[@thescalemodelcarguychannel8681]

Great idea James!

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Shawn for watching bud. I appreciate your support bud 😀

[@michaelcooke2559]

Very nice tutorial. This is something I have thought about doing. Thanks for trying and showing us the results.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thank you Michael for your continued support of the channel. I really appreciate it.

[@theintake8961]

Great idea! Thanks for the tip. I will be trying this. Thanks for the video 😎👍

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Mike, I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@Swamp-Fox]

Another great tutorial!

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Swamp Fox for watching! I appreciate your support.

[@kenmorris2858]

Interesting tip, many thanks from Nova Scotia....

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Welcome to the channel Ken. Glad that you found the video useful.

[@twistedplasticfanatic9534]

Awesome tip!! Thanks for sharing 😎👍🏻

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Sure thing twisted! Let me know how it goes when you try it. Thanks for watching!

[@twistedplasticfanatic9534]

@@ScaleModelExperiment will do 😎👍🏻

[@deenjoan9938]

What a good idea 👍👍👍👍 now you know and looks like an easy touch up to fix, has to be easyer then taping it all that's for sure , the things we come up with when we have some time to think a bit , Vary Cool idea

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Deen, you’re right masking sucks so I wanted to give it a shot😀 I appreciate your support, thanks for watching.

[@larrydelaruelle5778]

Excellent idea. Thanks

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Hi Larry, thanks for watching. I think it worked pretty good for the first time I tried it. I overdid it with 4 layers but I think it would work better for masking just one coat.

[@jeffyoung8726]

Cool stuff James. "Like I always say," I learn something new with every video!

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Jeff for watching. I appreciate your support.

[@martycoffel8795]

Interesting just might have to give that a try sometime thanks James

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks for watching Marty! I appreciate your support.

[@travisweeks7819]

Awesome video Good alternative to Liquid masking

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Travis for watching! I appreciate your support.

[@garyparker2969]

HHHMMM,,,, VEERRRRRYY INTERESTINK 🤔🤔‼️ I'LL Have To Remember This. Thanks For Sharing James and God Bless All 👍👍 Gary.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Gary for watching! I appreciate your support bud 😀

[@garyparker2969]

You're Very Welcome Brother 🤗🤗

[@michaelhintzmikesminiature1812]

Great tutorial. I've done this a couple of times with great success. I tried it after I had 2 horrible experiences with " Liquid Mask"!!!!! Thanks for sharing James

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks for watching and supporting the channel Mike. Elmer’s glue is CHEAP! I guess that was my point in the video. You don’t have to buy little bottles of liquid mask when Elmer’s works well.

[@JohnPol]

Great tip

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks John for watching! I appreciate your support.

[@KarlScaleModeling]

Nice tutorial there James, well explained. I did try the white glue masking a couple times before and paint always lifted for me. But I never inserted the subject in water, so that may explain why I was experiencing this problem. Thanks for highlighting that. Nowadays I use Humbrol Liquid Mask and it's great. But PVA glue is much more easily purchased, so I'll definitely try it again after seeing your video. Thanks for the share.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Karl for watching bud. I think the best way to use the white glue as a mask is to lay down a border with tape. Just a thin piece for a straight line then fill the rest with glue. I’ll keep experimenting and show the results in future videos. Thanks again my friend for your support.

[@mysticmodelerships-bruceke4056]

Great tip thanks 👍😎⛱️

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

You’re very welcome Bruce. Thanks for watching!

[@stuartaaron613]

I just found your video in my feed. Very interesting concept. I model mostly trains, and have used Microscale Magic Mask to mask windows and headlights, but that then requires peeling off the Magic Mask after painting. When I first starting watching your video I wasn't sure that the Elmer's glue was dissolve in water with the coat of lacquer paint, but I was obviously wrong. I could see this technique being useful for painting camouflage on military models, and multiple colors on trains (if you use a decal stripe over the joint between them).

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks for clicking and watching. Just a few caveats: I used lacquer paints and let them dry for a few days except the black which failed when I removed the glue in water. If I were to do it again, I would define lines with tape and use the glue for the big areas. Thanks again for the support.

[@raymondblasee1048]

Very cool tip James! I never thought of this before but I've used Silly Putty as a masking source in the past. Such intricate details such as your chassis you were working on wouldn't work with Silly Putty so it seems like Elmers Glue is the best for situations like yours. Seems like its really worth a try on engine compartments on some monogram and revell kits where every component is molded on the wheelwells and firewall and they are in all different colors like the heater core the washer fluid bottle and wiper motor to name a few. Thanks again for this tip! 👍🏁

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Hi Ray, yes you are right this isn’t just a race car tip. Masking an engine bay for detail painting would be easier and faster using glue instead of tape and more precise than sticky tack. I appreciate you watching and supporting the channel. Thanks again my friend.

[@jonathangodwin9410]

I have sometimes used white school/PVA glue as masking agent in pass for those hard to get to spots..

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks for watching and commenting Jonathan! I appreciate your support.

[@davidduval8681]

I’m trying it with clear, small scale, complex aircraft canopies. I think it’s gonna work!

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Make sure to let me know how it works for you. Thanks for watching 👍

[@dalekloka7069]

Great idea, thank you for sharing. Why is the blue paint cracked?

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Thanks Dale for watching. The crack was a reaction of the lacquer from not allowing it to dry enough before putting it in water. I recommend 24 hours not 8.😜. I appreciate your support.

[@johnnymayo8534]

I shoot mainly acrylic (Tamiya). I'm gonna have to experiment w/ this.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

I do too Johnny, but I use Mr Hobby Leveling thinner which is a lacquer thinner. It transforms the acrylic paint to a lacquer. Try mixing it 1:1 and see if you like it.

[@johnnymayo8534]

@@ScaleModelExperiment Tks!! I'll give it a try!

[@Bob0sModelFabWorx]

It's always nice to try new things. Thanks for showing this experiment too. So...........if we know lacquer isn't effected by water, what about fully cured acrylic paint? Would it be effected by water if the only part of the part is the hard paint molicules? Now that's a great test to do!

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Hi Bob, thanks for watching. I’ll throw you a curve ball now. I thin Tamiya Acrylic paints with Mr Hobby Leveling Thinner which makes the acrylic paint into a lacquer hybrid. It doesn’t come off fully cured (24 hours) in water. But I did encounter a problem with the blue paint cracking because I dunked it after 8 hours and that is a hobby lacquer over a hybrid acrylic base silver. Hmmm

[@Bob0sModelFabWorx]

@@ScaleModelExperiment. Interesting. I know the Tamiya lacquer is a synthetic lacquer so not really a true lacquer. I wonder if that the "hobby lacquer" you mentioned?

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Yes I think that the Tamiya lacquer sold in the small bottles is the same as what they sell in their rattle cans just not thinned and mixed with a propellant.

[@steelcityrailroad5095]

The clear glue supposed to be water clean up. I wonder if it will wash off easier?

[@johnmajane3731]

Actually works well.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

I agree, but you still have to mask edges with tape and then you can use Elmer’s for fill in between.

[@johnmajane3731]

@@ScaleModelExperiment I have done whole Canopies with it

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Awesome!

[@raytheron]

Great tip, James! Did you dunk the part in warm or cold water? Would be interesting to know whether the water temperature makes a difference.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Hi Ray, thanks for watching. The water I used was room temperature so I would say more cold than hot. My only advice is to make sure your paint is cured before coating and dunking it. I think that’s why my black came off a little. Let me know your experiments result.

[@raytheron]

@@ScaleModelExperiment I will do! Probably not a bad idea to give the paint a coat of lacquer varnish before masking. I'm in the middle of building the Airfix 1/48 Hunter f.6 -- what a beauty of a kit! -- but will try your technique as soon as possible.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Send me a link to pictures when you finish it!

[@stevepaine8113]

you can also use silly putty to do some masking.

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Hi Steve, thanks for watching. I’ve used silly putty for masking as well. In the situation I was in, I don’t think that the putty would be able to get into the tight areas. It is useful in some situations though. I appreciate your support and input to the conversation.

[@stevepaine8113]

i understand what you are saying for sure. silly putty does not in a lot of places, just wanted to pipe in.

[@stevepaine8113]

that glue thing looks darn nice, thanks for the tip.

[@1diotwithideas]

I'm doing my car and using clear Amazon prime or Amazon basic glue clear and then I'm going to paint my car real car

[@ScaleModelExperiment]

Make sure to film it… before and after. Sounds like a viral video to me! Thanks for watching👍