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Masking Techniques

Tech Tips

Masking Techniques

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Masking Paper

• Masking Paper comes in a variety of sizesincluding 6, 12, 18 and 36 inches.

• Masking paper can be applied by hand orwith a Masking Machine.

• A good quality Masking paper will have acoating like Poly Gold masking paper (picturedright) that prevents the bleed through ofsolvents or water (water borne coatings).

• Removing solvents from a finish that havebled through cheap masking paper (ornewspaper) can be time consuming andexpensive.

General Definitions

TRM 17612

Please Note: Using cheap masking paper can lead to bleed thru of paint, solvents,

and water (if using waterborne basecoats).

Masking Techniques

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Masking Machines

• Masking Machines offer a convenient way todispense Masking Paper.

• One of the more popular ones is called atree, and it dispenses three or four sizes ofpaper.

• The machine dispenses both paper and tapetogether. The tape is half on the paper andthe other half off, so it can be applied withease to the vehicle.

AST ASMS2

General Definitions

Masking Techniques

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Plastic Covers

• Plastic Covers, also referred to as PlasticSheeting, or Bags, are a relatively inexpensiveand quick way to protect surrounding vehiclesurfaces from paint overspray.

General Definitions

Plastic Covers

Plastic Machine Masker3M-06780

16 feet x 350 feet, 3M-06724

12 feet x 400 feet, 3M-06723

Plastic Hand MaskerRBL-101

Masking Techniques

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Plastic Covers for Wheels & Rims

• Plastic Covers are also available to bothmask off tires to quickly paint rims, and tomask off tires to avoid having overspray landon the tire or rim.

General Definitions

Wheel Masker for Painting RimsJTA-0980

Wheel Masker for Protecting Rims from OversprayMAR-30202

Masking Techniques

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Liquid Masking

• Liquid Mask is a liquid that is sprayed on thearea to be protected and allowed to dry.

• Typically, masking tape & paper are used tomask off the immediate area surrounding therepair, and then masking liquid is sprayed onthe rest of the vehicle to protect surfacesfrom overspray.

• When the painting is completed, it is washedoff.

• If you don’t have a dedicated spray gun tospray Liquid Mask, you can always use plasticsheeting.

Liquid Mask

General Definitions

Overspray Masking Liquid3M-06847

Spray GunCPN-69708

Masking Techniques

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Crepe Masking Tape

• Automotive Refinish Masking Tape is a yellowcrepe paper tape designed specifically for thecritical paint masking processes used in thecollision repair industry.

• Proprietary rubber-based adhesive deliversinstant adhesion to all vehicle surfaces, hasgood holding power that allows for fast andefficient application.

• The specially-treated paper backing offerssolvent and moisture resistance that minimizesbleed through.

• The semi-smooth backing is thin andconformable so it produces sharp, clean, qualitypaint jobs.

General Definitions

Please Note: Using cheap masking tape can lead to adhesive transfer (adhesive sticking

to paint finish).

3M-0665218mm x 55m (3/4” applications)

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Crepe Masking Tape

• Scotch® Performance Green Masking Tape233+, 26334 is a highly-conformable tape thatprovides the best adhesive transfer resistance,hugs curves, contours and provides outstandingpaint lines.

• Goes on quickly and easily, sticks at a touchand stays put. Perfectly balanced to giveoutstanding masking results.

• The specially-treated paper backing offerssolvent and moisture resistance that minimizesbleed through.

• Clean removal. Helps minimize labor requiredto remove transferred adhesive.

General Definitions

3M-2633418mm x 55m (3/4” applications)

Please Note: Using cheap masking tape can lead to edge creep of paint or solvents.

Masking Techniques

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Fine Line Tape

• Fine Line tapes have thin, smooth backingsdesigned to create low-profile paint edges.

• Sharp paint lines are achieved by using fine-line tapes with smooth backings coated withspecialty adhesives to prevent paint edgebleed.

• Scotch Fine Line 218 is designed for straightline application, and is available in nine (9)narrow widths for a variety of paint stripingoptions.

• 3M Vinyl Tapes 471 and 471+ are designedfor custom paint designs. Conformability andadhesion levels make this tape perfect forcustom graphic masking.

General Definitions

3M Line 218

3M Line 471+

Masking Techniques

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Aperture (Foam) Tape

• Aperture Tape is a soft foam tape that has anadhesive on one side and is used to fill bodyopenings such as the gap between the fenderand door, and for door jambs.• Foam tape is a very quick and effective wayto make sure you don’t have paint oversprayblowing onto door jambs or other areas of thevehicle that are difficult to mask.• Foam tape also minimizes any hard edges orpaint lines left behind from traditionalmasking techniques.

General Definitions

Soft Foam Masking Tape3M-06293

Foam Masking Tape in Cracks & Door Jambs

Masking Techniques

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Smooth down with finger or

Bondo Spreader to set to desired

depth.

How to apply 3M™ Foam Tape

Masking Techniques

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Trim Masking Tape

• Designed to lift molding away from thevehicle allowing paint coverage under themolding.

• Works particularly well on flush mountwindshield, sidelight and back glass moldings.

• Saves time, labor, and the cost of removingand installing new moldings.

General Definitions

3M-06345 (2” x 10.94 yds. / 5mm hard band)




Masking Techniques

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Smooth Transition Tape (STT)

• With Smooth Transition Tape, the adhesive isconfined to the center part of the tape, whichallows the paint to feather in, leaving avirtually invisible paint line.

• Eliminating hard paint lines has oftenrequired re-shooting, sanding, buffing orother time consuming rework.

• Smooth Transition Tape eliminates hardpaint lines anywhere you transition paint orcoatings: door jambs, hood and fender jambs,quarter panels and trunks.

• Smooth Transition Tape also works wellwhen applying Stone Chip coating to Rockerpanels.

General Definitions

Smooth Transition Tape3M-06800

Masking Techniques

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Apply the first strip, following and aligning the outside body line of the door jamb with the outer edge of the tape.

Extend tape onto adjacent masking.

Apply a second strip of tape that overlaps the inner edge of the first strip.

Apply additional material behind the strips to prevent overspray.

Apply coating. After initial coatings have dried, grip the tab and remove the outer strip of tape. Pull back on itself and directly out of door jamb.

How to apply 3M™ Smooth Transition Tape

Masking Techniques / General Masking

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The following guidelines are designed to provide information on General Masking Techniques.

WGR-PB4 Wax & Grease Remover

Soap & Water

Clean TowelsKIM 33944

• If vehicle is dirty, wash with soap & water. Dry thoroughly.

• After vehicle is clean, wipe the repair areas with Wax & Grease Remover to remove any silicone or other contaminants that may affect masking adhesion.

1. Clean Surface before applying Masking


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• Mask the areas that require Fine Line Tapefirst (e.g. 3M-06305 ¾ Inch). The Fine Linetape will prevent paint bleed thru on criticaledges.

• After the Fine Line tape has been placed,mask the rest of the repair and backup theFine Line tape with Creped tape (e.g. 3M-26334).

• Protect any nearby moldings with TrimMasking Tape (e.g. 3M-06348).

2. Critical Edge Masking


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• Ensure that the car is completely dry prior toapplying plastic sheeting (e.g. 3M-06724).

• Mask entire vehicle with plastic sheeting.

• Cut out the repair area with a razor blade.

• Tape the plastic sheeting directly to criticalmasking edge.

3. Overspray Masking

3M Plastic Sheeting / Film16 feet x 350 feet, 3M-06724


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• After painting, remove the masking tape at a90-degree angle to the vehicle’s surface.

• Peel tape back slowly, so that you don’t pullpaint with it.

Please Note: Scotch® Performance GreenMasking Tape 233+ is better than mostconventional masking tapes for sunlightresistance. However, it is still advised that itnot be subjected to outdoor exposure orprolonged periods of sunlight. The tape maybecome difficult to remove.

4. Remove Tape after Painting

Masking Techniques / Door Jambs & Gaps

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The following guidelines are designed to provide information on Door Jamb & Gap Masking Techniques.


Soap & Water






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• Apply outermost strip of Smooth TransitionTape (STT).

• Leave a tab available for easy removal aftersealer application and basecoat coveragecoats.

2. Apply Outer Strip Smooth Transition Tape

Smooth Transition Tape3M-06800


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• Apply inner strip of Smooth Transition Tapeif the jamb size allows.

• Overlap the leading wing of the tape withthe back wing of the first strip of SmoothTransition Tape.

3. Apply Inner Strip Smooth Transition Tape


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• Apply 3M™ Soft Edge Foam Masking TapePLUS to the moving part of the repair area.

• Position foam tape overlap as necessary tocompletely seal the jamb against the 3M™Smooth Transition Tape.

• Close the moving part.

4. Seal the Door Jamb

Soft Foam Masking Tape3M-06293


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• Press foam into the jamb with fingers to setappropriate depth.

• In order to avoid sealer creep the foam canbe pressed further into the jamb with a BondoSpreader after the initial coats are applied.

5. Position Foam Tape

Plastic Bondo SpreaderEZM-51004


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• After applying any sealer and initial BaseColor, pull the tab created in Step 2 andremove the outermost strip of 3M™ SmoothTransition Tape.

• Careful attention should be used to avoidmaking contact with either of the adjacentpanels.

• Apply final coats of Clear Gloss.

6. Strip Removal


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• Remove the remaining strip of 3M™ SmoothTransition Tape at a 90-degree angle afterpainting is complete.

7. Masking Removal


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• Remove 3M™ Soft Edge Foam Masking Tapeby stretching the foam parallel to its direction.

8. Masking Removal

Masking Techniques / Openings

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The following guidelines are designed to provide information on Masking Techniques for openings.







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• Back Mask outer edge of door opening usingwide width tape, ensuring that half of tapewidth is exposed to the opening.

• With Back Masking, wide Crepe Tape (1 ½Inch to 2 Inch) is placed halfway, and paper isapplied to the tape that is sticking up.

• Alternately, in some cases, plastic maskingfilm is stuck to the exposed tape, protectingthe opening.

2. Back Masking


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• Cover opening with overspray masking film.

• Pull tight and adhere film to exposed edge ofback masking.

3. Over Spray Protection


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• Trim film around inner panel opening.

4. Trim Opening


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• Seal edge of masking film using wide widthmasking tape.

• Once sealed, you are now ready to paint.

5. Seal Edge

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Masking Techniques

Tech Tips

Please email any questions that you may have to [email protected]

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