[rod kent]

I would like to seek a little assistance from the experts. I have been painting my own race car for years, but have yet to get a clean dividing line between colors when pulling off the tape. I use the thin plastic 3m blue tape, maybe I don't pull it off at the proper time? I always have to use some pinstriping tape to make the job look decent. I see everyone else getting the good results, what am I doing wrong. Thanks for any help.

[jcclark]

One of the tricks I learned is to pull it off as soon as possible after
the last coat and to pull it off low,back over itself.
If I mask off a panel, I tape to within a half inch of the blue line tape
then cover the gap with 1" tape very last.
That way, when finished spraying my clear I can pull the 1" masking tape
off and get access to pull the blue line quickly without disturbing the
rest of the overall masking that remains in place.
I hope that makes sense.

[jcclark]

Another way, that I don't use, is to cut with a razor
(like an Ex-Acto knife) between the tape and the paint before pulling
the tape. This is good for paint that has dried and hardened already.

[Bee4Me]

jc has you going in the right direction.
Pulling the tape soon as you can is important as well as the PREP UNDER THE PAINT. If your lifting chunks off with the tape. You need a little better prep under the base. Proper cleaning and sanding techniques are critical to a clean tape line also. You can lay the best paint possiable but if it's sprayed over residue or improper scratch,it WILL lift off.

[baddbob]

And to add, Make sure your tape is stuck good before you shoot, sometimes the fineline will lift up some before you have a chance to pull the trigger leaving some bleedthrough at the tape edge-especially on curves. I usually run my fingernail flat against the tape one last time before I shoot. Also pull the tape off so it folds against itself when removing-this way it cuts a clean line if the paint has setup.

[sha_ba_do_bang]

what do you do when there will be more than one coat of paint over the tape line? pull it off and retape every time you paint?


Brendan

[Bee4Me]

Hope your prep work is up to par and you have laid your paint right. Pull the tape slow and carefull. Don't just go in a rip & tear it off.
I've actually stacked TAPE with additional coats to give me a different "edge" with different layers so you don't have just 1 edge to deal with. You progressivly remove tape when you pull it off.
Using an exacto or razor blade does help if it's been on awhile but you stand a chance of cutting thru as well. A VERY light touch is needed.
If your going with spraying different layers such as a graphic,Shoot a coat of your base,single color, or the masked base,2 tone, first around the tape line.
This way,if you have bleeds,it's the same color and the tape edge showing,will be the same as the one next to it.

[1939d2/s10]

I was taught to put the tape down,then using a bondo spreader again go over the tape one more time.Then take the foldd edge of your sandpaper and follow the tape line and sand just using that edge kinda like a knife.Then do your painting,last when removing the tape,pull it back over itself and down at an angle so it has a sharp edge at the paint helping to cut the paint so to speak,hope this helps.This has worked for me.Good luck Johnny

[shine]

lay your tape line and press it down evenly before rubbing. it will wave on you. once it is "touched down " simply run your finger down it. excessive rubbing or pressure will press glue to the edge and give you a ragged line. after you tear down run a razor blade back wards on your pains leg. this will curl the edge. with a gentle touch you can shave the line down nice and smooth. if you drop the blade toss it. this is how i taught my van painters to do it.

[MARTINSR]

I am with Jcclark on this one, that and be sure it is prepped properly. I must be scuffed well up to where the tape is breaking the two colors or it will lift a little.

If you set it up as JC says and then pull the fine line off while your paint or clear is still wet it will leave you with a beautiful soft line because the paint will flow a little back onto the line.

Brian

[rod kent]

Thanks for all the great advice, I'll give it another shot this weekend. I appeciate everyone's time. rod

[kenseth17]

If you get a clean crisp line this time, stay out of the fence and in front of the other cars. LOL.

[rod kent]

thats probably the best advice yet. thx

[35WINDOW]

I was watching Overhaulin' last week (?), and I watched as Foose was pulling the tape off of some stripes he made on the front Fender of a 442 Olds-as he was pulling the tape over itself, I saw him twisting the tape also- I think he was doing this because he had paint on both side of the tape (1 strip). I had never thought of that-