What tape to use?

[brentvelo]

Just curious as to what tape everyone uses to tape off trim/panels, etc. when polishing? Is the blue 3M "home" tape okay?

[BobbyG]

I use either the blue or green painters tape, probably 3M...:props:

[Setec Astronomy]

The blue is ok, the 233+ (green) is a bit better. Or you can buy the Meg's tape from Autogeek. Hmm..they have another 3M one here, too:

3M Scotch 233+ Premium Automotive Masking Tape, scotch car tape, detailer masking tape, car masking tape (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-scotch-tape-18.html)
3M Scotch 233+ Premium Automotive Masking Tape 36 mm x 32 m - 03433 (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-scotch-tape-36.html)
3M Masking Tape, Scotch Masking Tapes, 3M green masking tape, auto masking tape (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-masking-tape.html)
3M Masking Tape, Scotch Masking Tapes, 3M green masking tape, auto masking tape (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-auto-masking-tapes.html)
Meguiars Professional Masking Tapes, auto masking tape, car masking tape (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-masking-tapes.html)
Meguiars Professional Masking Tape, auto masking tape, car masking tape, detailing tape (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-auto-masking-tape.html)
Meguiars Professional Masking Tape, auto masking tape, car masking tape (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-car-masking-tape.html)
Meguiars Professional Masking Tape, auto masking tape, car masking tape, detailing masking tape (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-pro-masking-tape.html)

PS Meguiar's is owned by 3M, so there is likely some overlap in those tapes

[Mike Phillips]

They will all work, I'm not sure as I haven't compared but I think the Meguiar's tape is a good value and specifically made for car detailing not house painting, I have the reasons why in an article somewhere, let me see if I can find it.

The important thing to remember when taping off a car to detail is to only leave it on long enough to get the job done and then remove it.

I was at a shop in SoCal once where someone had taped-off a car for painting and then for whatever their reasons never removed the tape, moved the car back onto the lot where it baked in the sun... it's going to take a lot of work now to remove all the adhesive that has pretty much become one with the paint.


I tend to use the 3M Painter's Tape in my project just because it provides better contrast than the brown Meguiar's tape. If the Meguiar's tape was a brighter color I would use it more often.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1261/CanAmCorvette038.jpg



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/870/1994BlackPorscheOC027.jpg



:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Here you go... from page 2 of this thread,

Tape it off and avoid a lifetime of ugly... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/29951-tape-off-avoid-lifetime-ugly.html)





I spoke with Mike Pennington, the Director of Training for Meguiar's about some of the cool features for the new Meguiar's Tape and have summarized our conversation below...

The new Meguiar's Masking is really designed to be a great general purpose tape which lends itself well to use in the detailing world.

Product Attributes:

Excellent handling
Instant adhesion and good holding power
Resists curling and lifting
Solvent and moisture resistant
Ideal for automotive detail application


Normal painter's tape, usually the blue or green tape we commonly see and use when taping-off a car, is a fantastic tape, it is really an overkill from a design perspective for the detailing market.

Normal painter's tape is purposefully constructed for application where a wet edge (critical edge) is present, that is where fresh paint is being applied and for this reason one of its main features is designed to prevent bleed-through. That is to say that painter’s tape is designed so that wet paint won't leak under it at the edges. This is an important feature when applying fresh paint.

When detailing cars, this is an unnecessary feature that affects price. The Meguiar's masking tape is more specific to the needs of detailing, it is safe enough to protect what you want to cover and protect from product residue but not over designed for its intended use. In addition, the Meguiar's tape has much improved adhesion performance over traditional painters tape when exposed to situations where water is present. (For example - Wet sanding)

Note that because Meguiar's tape is not designed for use where a critical edge is a factor, it is not recommended for use as an actual "Painter's Tape".

Painter's Tape and Detailing Masking Tape, different designs for different applications.

Hope this helps...





:xyxthumbs:

[lokerola]

Here's what DIDN'T work for me. I bought some super cheap rolls of masking tape at the local hardware store. Soooooo frustrating to use. As soon as you pull off about 2-3 inches of the stuff it just splits and breaks off. I ended up throwing it in the trash.

Basically everything Mike recommends above works. I now use Megs masking tape, blue painters tape, and I've even used green "frog" tape.

[brentvelo]

Ok. Thanks for all the info. Just making sure.

[Rav777]

I use 3M scotchblue painters tape with edge lock.

[flyinion]

I use 3M scotchblue painters tape with edge lock.

I used that last time I worked on my car. I don't know if it was the 90 degree days or the fact that I taped it off the night before, but never again. Nasty adhesive residue got left on all my rubber trim. When I mentioned it here somewhere else, someone replied that it's a common complaint with the edgelock stuff.

[tw33k2514]

I use the green 3M automotive tape. Works great, but I still hate taping.

[Rav777]

I used that last time I worked on my car. I don't know if it was the 90 degree days or the fact that I taped it off the night before, but never again. Nasty adhesive residue got left on all my rubber trim. When I mentioned it here somewhere else, someone replied that it's a common complaint with the edgelock stuff.

I think it might of been the heat as that same thing has happened to me before I had a garage to work on. I am sure there are much better tapes out there, but I bought these in a pack and I want to get my moneys worth too!

[Flyman63]

I use the green 3M automotive tape. Works great, but I still hate taping.
I recently bought and used Kamikaze’s detail tape.
It’s far and away the best detailing tape I’ve ever used..... bar none.

The drawback is it can be hard to find compared to some of the more readily available ones.
I bought mine from Esoteric Car Care.

[Rsurfer]

I recently bought and used Kamikaze’s detail tape.
It’s far and away the best detailing tape I’ve ever used..... bar none.

The drawback is it can be hard to find compared to some of the more readily available ones.
I bought mine from Esoteric Car Care.

You should post your experience on Esoteric Car Care FORUM.

[Epilogts]

You should post your experience on Esoteric Car Care FORUM.

The more experiences HERE the better! No need to run people off because they use ‘competing’ products. Information is power!

[Rsurfer]

The more experiences HERE the better! No need to run people off because they use ‘competing’ products. Information is power!

Hey, I don't make up the rules.