Any Luck Using Painters Tape?

[Kearns892]

I've done a few attempts at spray painting aluminum enclosures using painters tape masks. I've only met mixed success. My last attempt was supposed to be simple, a solid coat with two "racing stripes". The tape was flat and straight and had some major bleeding. Any one have any tips for using painters tape successfully or a method for similar type results?

[.Mike]

I've never used it on an enclosure, but one trick with painters tape is to apply your base color and let it dry Then, apply the tape. Apply more base color to the seam where the tape meets the area where the next coat will be applied. The base color bleeds under the tape and seals the edge. You then put the secondary color on, and in theory it does not bleed under the tape. You then peel the tape, and hopefully leave a nice clean line without removing any paint.

Mike

[chi_boy]

I've never used it on an enclosure, but one trick with painters tape is to apply your base color and let it dry Then, apply the tape. Apply more base color to the seam where the tape meets the area where the next coat will be applied. The base color bleeds under the tape and seals the edge. You then put the secondary color on, and in theory it does not bleed under the tape. You then peel the tape, and hopefully leave a nice clean line without removing any paint.

Mike

I've heard of the same tip, but using clear instead of base color.  Six of one......


This may be a little goofy, but I've actually used electrical tape in the past.  The flat edge worked really well as I recall.  I don't remember if there was a problem with the adhesive or not, but I would be a little concerned.  Then again, that stuff comes of pretty easily.

[davent]

I've done the clear or basecoat after taping and it does help a lot. Also different tapes work better then others, i used to be able to get a brand called Kleen Edge (blue roll ,light adhesive) but i can't find it around here anymore, was the best tape i've ever used, stayed stuck really well and released great.

dave

[robmdall]

If you're using the Blue painters tape they sell at all of the hardware stores, you will be hard pressed to achieve clean parting lines.

You need to seek out an Automotive masking tape, check out some of the GREEN 3M tapes. I cant remember what number we used but it works a heck of a lot better then the Blue tape.

[Kearns892]

Thanks for the tips. I think I will sand down, buy some better tape and try the additional coat technique. I'll be out of town for a while, but whenever I get around to repainting this I will try to post what I did and how well it worked incase anyone is interested. Thanks again.

[modsquad]

Problem with painters tape is that the adhesive is not strong so that you can peal it off and not pull undercoat paint off.  Therefore you can get bleeding under it.  When I used build airplane models, I used the pinstriping tape for automotive detailing stripes.