Method for masking glass, glass-ceramic and ceramic surfaces

A method for masking selected areas of a glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic surface against coating compositions which comprises the steps of:

• (a) applying a thermoplastic molten masking coating consisting essentially, in weight percent, of about 10-60% bentonite clay, 0-40% of a refractory metal oxide, and 40-80% thermoplastic organic medium from a heated surface onto the surface of an elastomeric or silicone-coated body;
• (b) cooling said masking coating on said elastomer or silicone-coated body to a temperature at which said coating exhibits sufficient tack and cohesiveness to enable transfer of the resultant coating from the elastomeric or silicone-coated body to the surface to be masked;
• (c) bringing said elastomeric or silicone-coated body into contact with the surface of a glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic article to transfer said coating to said article surface in said selected areas.