A method includes masking at least one hole of an article with a paste, wherein the hole opens onto a surface of the article, applying a coating to the surface of the article, and removing the paste including contacting the paste with a water containing liquid/environment to dissolve or re-disperse the paste, leaving at least one open hole in the surface of the coated article. The paste includes about 20-80 wt % of a filler material, about 0.5-20 wt % of a hydrogen phosphate compound, about 0.5-15 wt % of a polyhydroxy compound and about 5-25 wt % of water. The filler material has an average particle size in a range of about 0.1-100 microns, and includes a first material which includes alkali metal doped alumina, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide or a combination thereof and a second material which includes a silicate. A weight ratio between the first and second materials is in a range of about 1-10.