Recently I’ve been getting into rehauling masks for buyers on Ebay and I’ve wanted to get better at it and do things properly. So far what I’ve been doing is spray painting the masks white with spray paint like done in the original. After that though the paint tends to crack which I’m hoping to fix. The paint jobs look very great though. I’ve also been having a little trouble with the darkening the hair with spray paint and it hardening too much even with a light mist. If I’m gonna start doing this more often I realize I need a better painting process. If anyone has any tips or suggestions for painting procedures they would be very helpful. I’ve attached a TOTS Kirk that I’ve rehauled for reference.
Did you use the appliance white by Krylon? Plus most spray paints are gonna harden
I used some kind of Krylon white, from what I hear you gotta airbrush with a bit of liquid latex. I don’t own one or have ever done it before.
you dont need an airbrush to paint a rubber mask you can use paintbrushes/sponges I never use an airbush.
you just mix everything 50/50 half liquid latex, half acryllic paint.
I use acryllic paint from the dollar store, i do 70% latex %30 paint ive never had it crack
I used to do that but it always took awhile to not have brush marks.
Ok if you want it to look good you need to airbrush it, plain and simple. Spray paint is the absolute worst choice if you want it to last and look good. I know the hero was spray painted but it wasn’t meant to be a historical artifact, and the spray paint had detrimental effects on the mask. And if you brush the paint on I promise you it will have brush marks, it will look bad, and isn’t accurate. Airbrushing is simply the best way to properly mimic spray paint, while still having control of the quality of product you are putting through the brush. You will need a basic airbrush, SINGLE ACTION. Don’t spend a lot because the paint is really hard on the airbrush and requires a lot of extra cleaning and eventually is often just a lost cause. You will need to use some liquid latex, and I’m talking about the thin stuff…balloon latex. Don’t use the same latex that masks are cast with. From there you will mix in some thinned acrylic paint to create a consistency like skim milk, and then go to work. Always practice on a piece of poster board first to get the spray pattern set right.
I’m just chiming in to say FineArts above is correct. Use something of thinner consistency than spraypaint in the hair. The only other advice I’d give is consider cutting the eyes smaller. Really put a lot of time and effort into honing your technique and really studying the hero mask before charging people money for your work. It’s tempting to just jump in and start overhauling and selling your work, but remember that as well as selling a service you are also building your reputation as an artist. This is all my opinion, so please don’t think I’m telling you what to do. Keep up the work and good luck!
Thanks these are very great tips. The only liquid latex I currently have is this stuff used for halloween makeup prosthetics like zombie skin. I’m gonna take a guess that it isn’t something that should be used on masks. This will be my first time air brushing. Again thanks for the tips, they really help.
No problems man. Just order some balloon latex. It is used to make bald caps and such. The single action airbrush that works best is the Paasche H model. These are cheaper, more simply designed, and easier to clean than a double action, and are suited just fine for relatively simple paintwork like a mask.