What time frame to pull masking tape
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Just recently sprayed the car with Base/Clear. I applied 4 coats of clear. Waited two days before I pulled the tape. Slightly lifted some of the clear where it had puddled over some of the masking tape. No signs of adhesion problems. After realizing this may be a problem in some other areas, I took a razor blade and lightly scored the masking line to get the tape off with lifting other areas.
When do you guys pull tape? I’m thinking I should have waited a few hours and then pulled it after my final coat of clear instead of waiting two days..
[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b11/ChuckVR6/DSC05843.jpg[/IMG]
I would pull as soon as its dry enough. Depending on the clear and the temp maybe a couple hours to overnight would be good. I would not wait days.
Agree with Ryan, depends on the clear. Usually for me when it’s safe to touch. We bake ours for 25 mins and then unmask right away. Previously in my last shop without a bake we’d give it a few hours.
avoid that sort of masking , but when unavoidable , I mask not right up to those areas (stay back an 1/8 inch) and then add a final 1/4 inch fine line , all in one piece (that I call my pull off) and leave one end easy to grab.
Then as soon as I hang up my gun after clearing I go back in and pull off the pull offs , this will stop the bridging and lifting.
little tricky removing the fine line without letting it touch the wet clear ,but I have no problems :pcorn:
[b]Stone wrote:[/b]
[quote]avoid that sort of masking , but when unavoidable , I mask not right up to those areas (stay back an 1/8 inch) and then add a final 1/4 inch fine line , all in one piece (that I call my pull off) and leave one end easy to grab.Then as soon as I hang up my gun after clearing I go back in and pull off the pull offs , this will stop the bridging and lifting.
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That’s how I do it if I absolutely have to paint right up to a masked edge (a trim that won’t come off etc.). I tend to wait 5 or 10 minutes first though to let the clear flash a little, just in case I disturb any dust when removing the fine line.I wouldn’t wait days to remove any kind of masking though. As soon as it can be touched lightly without marking (even if it isn’t fully cured) would be my advice. Just be careful not to lean on the soft paint whilst de-masking!
Thanks guys. Great advice. I think I knew better than to let it sit on there for two days but was so excited about finally getting the color on that I totally forgot about this detail. I have learned so much through the process.
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