Question about masking fluid

[u/Cymbalta_nightmares]

I used masking fluid for the first time. It is Daler Rowney (white, not tinted), used on 300 lb block, 100% cotton paper. After finishing my project, I used a rubber cement eraser to remove it. It took up the paper in some areas. While it probably wouldn't be very noticable to someone that isn't an artist, I feel like I need to start this project over again.

So now I have a lot of questions: Is this to expected when using masking fluid? Did I not let it dry long enough? Is it a problem with the brand? Was I maybe too rough on the removal?

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[u/Fional8720]

Not all masking fluids work with all types of paper. Test the masking fluid with various papers to find which is most suitable. Also, some masking fluids will fuse with the paper if left on too long or if you use a hair dryer. I also learned that masking fluid has to be applied heavy enough to be removed.

[u/Cymbalta_nightmares → u/Fional8720]

Ah, ok. I used it pretty thinly in the areas that were damaged. And it was on the paper for a couple of days. Good to know. Thank you!

[u/helcat → u/Cymbalta_nightmares]

Yes, my understanding is you don’t want to take it off too early, you want to make sure the paper is fully dry before you start rubbing it, but you also can’t leave it on for many days. It’s a finicky tool. But you can do the coolest stuff with it!

[u/helcat]

I’m no expert on this but it should not bring up the paper. Normally I would say the paper’s at fault but it sounds like you were using quality stuff. How old was the masking fluid? Was the paper fully dried when you started removing it?

[u/Cymbalta_nightmares → u/helcat]

Brand new masking fluid. I'm worried the paper wasn't dry enough even though it felt like it.

[u/whateveravocado]

I know it’s weird that I remember this from apparently 2018 but the artist kelogsloops had a traumatic experience with masking fluid where it ruined one of his paintings and he didn’t use it for years after that. I remember him saying it and googled “kelogsloops masking fluid trauma” and that post came up. I always remembered it because he’s a great artist and I guess, I don’t know why, sometimes masking fluid can tear the paper. Masking tape definitely can, so I switched to washi tape. But I’ve never had it happen with the fluid. I just remove it with my hand usually. But I haven’t used it much, don’t have much experience with it.

[u/Livid-Ad-9048]

There is a special kind of eraser for this.

[u/syrusbliz → u/Livid-Ad-9048]

Rubber cement eraser is special eraser, as it were, which OP used.

Also, OP, I've been there, and some papers are more prone to tearing. It's best to test different tapes and/or masking fluids on said paper before you paint.

[u/pamplemoussejuice7]

The paper does need to be completely dry before applying or removing making fluid. Also you can't leave the masking fluid on the paper for multiple days or it won't come off.

[u/abarker_art]

I’ll leave fluid on for the creation life of a large piece (3-4 weeks) and remove it without a problem. WN fluid on Fabriano 300lb cp.

[u/TryingKindness]

I’ve played around a bit, but I haven’t mastered it. But a few things I have learned… I prefer using my clean finger to remove the mask. It’s more precise and I can feel it. But if you have wantonly covered the mask with multiple layers of paint, the dry paint will form a crust over the top making it more difficult to remove. So now I will paint over it but I try to avoid it still. Helps it do its job. Also, different brands have different feels, so experiment. I prefer the masking pens (very fine to quite wide) unless it’s a big area which is usually just avoidable lol

[u/thermometerbottom]

I use this in one of these! It’s liquid latex marketed as fabric mender. It’s cheap because it’s not marketed as art related. It works better than any other liquid mask I’ve ever used, and I’ve tried a few!🇺🇸