I spray painted a latex rubber mask lightly and it's not drying. What's best way to get to dry? I tried a fan.

Question

Would using a blow dryer or putting mask under a heat lamp help it dry? I need mask for tomm. night Halloween party.

Answer 1

Uh-oh. It's probably not going to dry. Some paints and plastics just can't be used together. The result is often a massive "melt-down" of the plastic. Sounds like that's what happened in your case.

Better head out to the costume shop for a new mask.

And sometime when you want to have little chemical fun, try spray paint and styro balls! Great fun!

Answer 2

What did you use for spray paint? If it was regular 'aerosal paint can' chances are it is enamel or solvent based...and is reacting with the latex, which may be waterbased or ammonia based. I have made maskes, face molds, prosthetics, etc. for local theater and halloween-and the 'rule of thumb' is if you can put it on your own face, it will stick to latex. If it is a latex mask you BOUGHT premade and adding to for effect, it probably has a 'sealer' or clear coat on it-and your spray paint is reacting against that.
Heat lamp could shrink or even destroy the latex mask, blow dryer is best bet. Do not concentrate on it-don't let it get too hot to touch with a finger. Also, try setting it out in direct sunlight-that will help warm it up and might cure the ink. What you may be feeling is not wet paint but if the mask is a VINYL based 'latex' (can't always trust the labels) then you are feeling the compound of the vinyl dissolving in your paint and I"m sorry-that will never dry or cure-it is destroyed. Been there, done that!
If you can get some-try 'invisible' or 'clear' face powder from the costume/theatrical supplier-that may 'dry' it and not show.

Answer 3

Could just be the temp or high humidity. try the blow dryer but not too close or the mask may melt.

Answer 4

Try a hair dryer. Not too close or too hot.