masking tape

[shaunthebadboy]

next week i will be doing an interior/exterior detail on a white clk 230. since this is a nice car and the owner has deep pockets, im going to tape off all trim so that no polish or wax will get on it and possibly discolor it. i am pretty good at keeping polish and wax off the trim without taping it up but this time i want to go the extra mile for this lady. my question is: what is the best way to remove any tape glue/tape lines left over after removing the tape from the surface?

any suggestions/comments greatly appreciated

 

[the other pc]

.. what is the best way to remove any tape glue/tape lines left over after removing the tape from the surface?

The best way is to avoid them in the first place by using a fresh roll of high quality painter's tape instead of old or cheap masking tape.





PC.

 

[Eliot Ness]

The best way is to avoid them in the first place by using a fresh roll of high quality painter's tape instead of old or cheap masking tape.......

Very good tip! I like 3M brand blue painters tape..... the cheap and off-brand blue painters tape doesn't work as well for me.

 

[gto78]

at work we use this blue tape they call "fine line" which is excellent at preventing anything from getting under it. we use it for painting stripes on top of new paint. it comes in several widths. Its also very good at peeling off without leaving a mark, which is important on paint that is barely dry.

 

[TW85 HHI]

What products are you using? Many of us, myself included, carry certain paint products onto the trim for cleaning and protection. Not only do you get excellent results but you will not be dealing with dressings that may run or risk getting the dressings on the paint.



Otherwise, use QUALITY painters tape (3M). There are less expensive brands of painter tape and they are equivalent to masking tape in that they leave behind residue, do not release, etc.

 

[togwt]

Masking Tape:

Mask-off around windows, badges, and door handles and any bodywork vinyl trim, using 3M's Scotch® Safe-Release TM Painters' Masking Tape, this tape removes cleanly from a paint film or glass surface without adhesive transfer or surface damage for up to 14 days - even when exposed to direct sunlight. It is a medium adhesion tape with a flexible crepe backing allows for exceptional conformability to semi-smooth surfaces. When removing masking tape pull the tape close to and horizontal to the surface. Avoid pulling the tape in an upward direction as it possible to lift paint (especially on re-painted finishes)

 

[sQuashed]

Always use the Blue stuff when needed .

 

[wash-girl]

Apparently, there have been some problems reported with the 3M blue tape. I've not experienced any problems, or read this entire article, but here's what I came across:

http://www.practical-sailor.com/pub/30_23/features/5044-1.html

 

[Sveta]

3M Blue painter's tape but I have NO problems with the "Blue Duck" brand from Wal-Mart. A little cheaper and works exactly like it should. I stopped buying the 3m. Buy various widths. 3/4" and 1" mostly.

 

[shaunthebadboy]

thank you guys for all of the help, i went today to lowes and purchased the 3M all surface masking tape. ill try it out and see what happens.

 

[Bill D]

Anybody know the smallest ( thinnest) width available? Often I'm finding the "common" size to be a bit too wide

 

[the other pc]

Anybody know the smallest ( thinnest) width available? Often I'm finding the "common" size to be a bit too wide

I think Scotch-Blue goes down to ¾". Some of there other stuff goes down to 12mm. Here's 3M's tape page If you're interested in digging through it.





PC.