What do you use to "rub" away paint, when using the hairspray technique?

Plenty of water and a stiff (ish) brush. I sometimes go with a cocktail stick aswell but I find it is very easy to cut right through to the primer with the stick.

I use a stiff brush and at times a toothpick point to make marks in specific areas. As you use the toothpick it will tend to get wet and not retain the point. Useful for other markings but one must pay attention as to how much pressure your using to keep from damaging the paint layer below the hairspray.

Thank you. I should have been more specific. What type of stiff brush do you use?

I use a tooth brush and stiff "straw like" paint brush.

This is what I used on my build for the Dragoon OOB build going on right now. I cut the bristles down to half size.

http://www.dickblick.com/brushes/stencilbrushes/

I've also just used a old beaten brush.

That's what I was looking for. The toothbrush method doesn't work for me.

I am wondering, are you using lots of water? For me the toothbush work almost to well, I had to be careful with it. Now I started to remove paint within 15 minutes of airbrushing the color on.

Also there are two new products from AK Interactive Worn Effects and Heavy Chipping, a liquid you use like hairspray, airbrush on prior to paint. And I find it works alot better then hairspray.

Kevin

I mostly use an old 4 round brush that is kind of stiff. I recently just used AK's chipping fluid and I used a small, not so stiff brush to create a more subtle effect and a couple of times the steel bristle clamp brushed the surface and scratched the paint right back to the primer so I reckon a toothbrush might be too harsh.

i use an old no. 0 brush that was very frayed which i trimmed the bristles down using an x-acto knife so the bristles are about 4-5 mm long.

this makes a nice tool that is precise and stays stiff even when wet as the bristles are so short that they allows perform the same way.

i find that a toothpick can be nice for fine scratches but can take off too much paint for larger work.

here's a pick of my first whitewash attempt using this type of customized brush:



hope this helps. cheers, bd.

I've tried an eraser, brush and super fine emery, but my Wife gave me a MR Clean Magic Eraser pad to try and it worked better than anything yet. I did add a slight amount of water to the pad and object and it gave me quicker, and more controlled results .

For me, the toothbrush did work too well. It went right throught the topcoat, basecoat and primer to bare plastic. This was with light brushing.
I have a few, large old brushes to try.