A method comprising: masking, with a water-soluble plug paste, at least one hole of an article, wherein the hole opens onto a surface of the article (100, 200); applying at least one coating to the surface of the article; and removing the paste comprising contacting the paste with water, a water containing liquid or water containing environment to dissolve or re-disperse the paste, leaving at least one open hole in the surface of the coated article, wherein the water-soluble plug paste comprises: from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of a high temperature resistant filler material comprising a first material and a second material and having an average particle size in a range from about 0.1 micron to about 100 microns, wherein the first material comprises alkali metal doped alumina, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or a combination thereof, the second material comprises a silicate, and a weight ratio between the first material and the second material is in a range from about 1 to about 10; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a hydrogen phosphate compound; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound; and from about 5 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of water. masking, with a water-soluble plug paste, at least one hole of an article, wherein the hole opens onto a surface of the article (100, 200); applying at least one coating to the surface of the article; and removing the paste comprising contacting the paste with water, a water containing liquid or water containing environment to dissolve or re-disperse the paste, leaving at least one open hole in the surface of the coated article, wherein the water-soluble plug paste comprises: from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of a high temperature resistant filler material comprising a first material and a second material and having an average particle size in a range from about 0.1 micron to about 100 microns, wherein the first material comprises alkali metal doped alumina, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or a combination thereof, the second material comprises a silicate, and a weight ratio between the first material and the second material is in a range from about 1 to about 10; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a hydrogen phosphate compound; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound; and from about 5 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of water. from about 20 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of a high temperature resistant filler material comprising a first material and a second material and having an average particle size in a range from about 0.1 micron to about 100 microns, wherein the first material comprises alkali metal doped alumina, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, or a combination thereof, the second material comprises a silicate, and a weight ratio between the first material and the second material is in a range from about 1 to about 10; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of a hydrogen phosphate compound; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound; and from about 5 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of water.