Expert: Ellen Choate - 12/3/2007

Question
i want to spray paint body of my mobile instrument. there are few areas on the body in center of the body which i want to protect from the paint [ like camera eye etc ]. i am looking for some material which i can apply on such sensitive part of body and do the painting. once i am done i should be able to remove the material easily and cleanly.
preferable i would like to have it in liquid form so that i can paint one color on uneven part of body, then apply the material and then paint another color. after removing the coat upper part of the body will have one color and lower part will have different color.
let me know if any such affordable material is available in the market easily.

thanks

-keval


Answer
By "mobile instrument" I'm guessing you mean a cell phone-type device, right?  For the ones I've painted, I have taken them apart and carefully set the innards aside, but if that's not an option here, you have a few choices for safe, effective masking.
When I do a more detailed design, I like to pre cut the mask from tracing paper with an X-Acto knife and adhere it to the surface with a thin coat of good spray adhesive such as 3M. You don't really want something that you have to cut on the surface of what you're painting as you would have to with clear Contact paper or masking tape, to minimize the risk of damaging the faceplate. I think you're right to choose a liquid.  
You can use plain old rubber cement, but I don't think you can get a real straight line with it.  There is a product called Liquid Frisket that I think would work for you.  It should be available at a local art supply if you are near a good one, or online at BearAir, Dixie Arts or any number of airbrush supply places.  
I hope this answers your question, Keval.  If you need more information, feel free to contact me again.
Ellen