Application Techniques
Direct masking
Apply tape directly to a clean, dry surface
with or without gross masking paper
or film.
Do not tape over freshly painted
surfaces. This can trap solvents and
cause imprinting or ghosting.
Over tape masking for fine paint lines
When the finished job requires a very fine paint line, a 3M fine line masking tape is
first applied to the
surface.
3M crepe masking tape is then applied
over the fine line tape. The edge of the
crepe is set back from the paint line edge
of the fine line tape. The crepe holds gross
masking paper or film.
NOTE: Before applying the crepe tape
lightly scuff the back of the fine line tape
with a Scotch-Brite? Hand Pad to increase
the adhesion between the two tapes if
needed. This is particularly important if
the crepe tape is holding large gross masks.
Spiral or twist masking
This technique helps prevent paint blow-by into gaps such as door jambs.
With adhesive side out, twist the tape
back onto itself creating a cylinder with an
adhesive exterior. Press the cylinder into a
gap or close the door on it.
Double stick offset masking
Overlap two tapes adhesive side to adhesive
side with edges offset so that adhesive is
exposed on both sides. Tape can then be
applied first in production and then a gross
mask added later.
The technique can also fill gaps. For
example, tape is first applied to the edge
of a desk and hangs inside an opened
drawer. When the drawer is closed the
tape seals the gap.
Inside out masking
Apply tape to the inside of a frame such as
a window, leaving some of the adhesive side
overhanging into the opening. Apply
gross masking paper or film to the
exposed adhesive.
Feathered edge masking
A feathered paint edge provides a very
low profile that is usually covered with a
decorative tape. The tape after application
appears smooth with no visible ridge from
a paint edge.
To create a feathered edge, fold up one
tape edge. Spray paint from an angle that
does not allow the paint to go directly
under the folded edge.
Reverse masking for large areas
For two-tone applications over large areas,
this technique involves sealing the ends or
flaps of large masking bags or sheets.
1. Apply 3M fine line masking tape to the
painted surface to establish the break line
for the second color that will be added over
the first color.
2. Prepare a 6" high gross mask of paper
or film with 3M crepe masking tape
overhanging the top and bottom edges.
3. Apply one edge over the fine line tape.
The crepe edge is set back from the edge
of the fine line tape. The other edge of
the gross mask is an unattached flap at
this point.
NOTE: Before applying the crepe tape
lightly scuff the back of the fine line tape
with a Scotch-Brite? Hand Pad to
increase the adhesion between the two
tapes if needed.
4. The primary color will be protected
with a masking bag or large sheets of
gross masking paper or film. Tuck the bag
or sheet edges behind the flap of the 6"
mask and press the flap firmly in place.
5. Tape down all loose flaps.
