Can't weight paint because mesh is covered (image included)

Support Animation and Rigging
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I can’t weight paint because the part i need to paint is covered by another mesh. What i want to know how to do is hide that part of the mesh. (it’s all one object) I hide it in edit mode (the shell of the turtle) but when i go into weight paint mode or object mode or any other mode, the shell is no longer hidden. How to i keep the shell hidden in other modes while keeping it part of the same object?

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https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/48178/how-can-i-hide-part-of-a-mesh-in-edit-mode-and-let-it-hidden-in-object-mode/48200

is using the mask modifier really the only option?