Paint preparation can be one of the most tedious parts of building a street rod. However, it doesn't have to be, thanks to the myriad of products out there designed for the professional body shops (but every bit as accessible to the homebuilder as well). The art of paint prep can be almost as much of a science as the actual paint job when taken into account the vast array of methods, applications, and time it takes to mask off an entire car-whether it's for a quick fix or an entire paint job. Thankfully, there are products out there that make life much easier for us one-time guys who aren't painting cars once a week. It's amazing the technology involved in tape designs; the same holds true with paint prep supplies as it does with just about anything else in our industry-if you can think of something that would make it easier or faster, chances are there's a product out there that will do just that.
We were nosing around recently at Creative Concepts to take a peek at what Zane Cullen and the crew had going on at their Santa Rosa, California, shop when the subject of a tape story came up. Zane mentioned that there was really only about a dozen different tapes they use on each job, but that they all serve a unique and different purpose. One type might be used to hold a patch panel in place while it's being tack welded. Another type might serve to protect a piece of chrome trim or glass while a panel is being welded or ground on. And then of course there is the wide assortment of sticky subjects that serve to protect certain surfaces from the whole paint and bodywork process.
Truth be told, there were more kinds of tape examples than I would have ever thought of purchasing. But by breaking down the difference between the green tape and the blue tape and the natural tape, and the film-backed tape and the vinyl-backed tape and the paper-backed tape, it all began to make sense; masking tape is not created equal. Like paints, primers, thinners, and sealers, all the different types of tape products had their own specific application. Some are designed for quick and indiscreet masking, while some are made to conform to very tight-radius contours inside door handles and around certain areas, where other tape types would stretch, lift, or tear.
While the type of tape and what it is used for is important, it's equally as important that the tape is applied right. The correct tape and the incorrect application method will not yield satisfactory results. The first and probably most important thing is to avoid stretching the tape. Pull a few feet off the roll at a time and press down a small area without stretching. The backing of the tape is designed to conform to curved surfaces and it's desirable to have as much stretch left in the tape as possible if any shrinking should occur during spraying or drying. Also avoid stretching the tape across surface depressions; instead, lay the tape down to avoid the tape lifting or ripping. It is also imperative that the edges of the tape be pressed down firmly. Don't rely on the tape to self-adhere itself to the surface.
Once the masking and paintwork is complete, there are a few removal methods that will decrease the chance of peeling the paint. The chance of adhesive or paint transfer depends on speed and angle of removal, and temperature. Removing tape on a cold day will increase the chance of clean removal because the adhesive is firm. The tape, however, can become brittle, causing it to tear and break. A hot day, on the other hand, or a car fresh out of the oven increases adhesive transfer possibilities but less effort is required to remove the tape. When removing tape, always move at a moderate speed and at a 45-degree angle from the tapeline. Excessive rate of removal may cause tearing, while a very slow rate increases the tendency to transfer adhesive. Remove tape at a 90-degree angle if adhesive begins to transfer.
Zane laid out a dozen or so basic tapes used in Creative Concepts' paint and body department and showed examples of how each was used and for what application. We then got on the horn to 3M to find out the technical aspects of each different design. This month, we're covering the common masking tapes, from 36-inch-wide masking paper to 1/8-inch-wide plastic tape, while next month we've got a couple of pretty neat examples that branch out a little bit into the protection and paint trick aspects. For now, check out the handful of different tape products used in the typical hot rod garage.
Here's a great assortment of tape products that the body shop crew over at Creative Concepts put together showcasing seven of the most commonly used masking tapes in their shop. Everything from fine-line tapes to 2-inch-wide duct tape gets used in their shop, and then some!
The Highland 2727 masking tape looks like the common household masking tape, but it's actually a carefully designed automotive refinish masking tape designed with balanced construction for consistent unwind, conformability, and easy tear. What does all this mean? Unlike the cheap hardware store masking tape that rips, stretches, and lifts, the Highland 2727 will lay smooth, without stretching or tearing, and will conform to complex shapes without lifting, giving a consistent tapeline every time.
One of the most commonly used tapes out there has got to be, without a doubt, duct tape. A vinyl, fabric-reinforced, multipurpose adhesive tape with a soft and tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive, duct tape-or 100-mph tape-was originally developed during WWII as a waterproof sealing tape for ammo cases; its name comes from its use in heating and air-conditioning ducts, a purpose for which it, ironically, has been deemed ineffective. These days it is used for any number of reinforcing, bundling, sealing, holding, and moisture-proofing jobs. The 6969-series of duct tape from 3M is a refined version featuring strong backing, greater abrasion resistance, and unlike some tapes that tend to stretch and tear unevenly, the 6969 will tear straight and easily without curling.
A step up from the Highland 2727 is also one of the newest and most popular masking tape product lines around-the Scotch 233+ Performance Masking Tape line from 3M. Taking their original line of 233 Automotive Refinish Masking Tapes a step further, the resulting 233+ line features improved adhesive transfer resistance on rubber moldings and painted surfaces, is highly conformable to provide outstanding paint lines, and is a consistent performer regardless of the climatic conditions. The 233+ tapeline is also the most versatile, available as small as 1/8-inch in diameter on up to 3 inches. This versatility translates to a tape that will conform to the smallest, tightest radius, bodyline, or trim piece while maintaining an outstanding paint line that won't stretch, shrink, or lift.
Legendary painter Art Himsl lays out the flame design on the STREET RODDER 2007 Road Tour car using 3M 233-series 1/8-inch refinish masking tape.
The original 3M 233-series refinishing tapeline is still a favorite of painters. Available in widths as small as 1/8-inch, it's a great tape for masking off shallow radius bends such as around trim pieces, door handles, or even for custom work such a flame jobs and scallops designs.
The new and improved 233+ is also available in sizes down to 1/8-inch and offers an improved adhesive transfer resistance on rubber moldings and painted surfaces over the standard 233 line. Consistent paint lines and a controlled, consistent unwind make the 233+ a must when masking hard lines on curved areas.
Moving up the fine-line tape ladder is 3M's 218 series, a high-performance film-backed tape with a low profile and high adhesion to achieve excellent paint lines. The specially processed film backing stretches easily for smooth curves, yet can easily be torn by hand and allows for taping over fresh paint jobs sooner than paper tapes with less chance of imprint damage. The 218-series fine-line tape can also be used for letterings, 'striping, and two-tone separation lines.
At the top of the fine line-style tapes is Scotch's 471 Plastic Tape. The most flexible and conformable of the bunch, the 471 series provides masking protection for complex curved lines, sharp curves, irregularly shaped panels, over rivets, and into seams. Due to its vinyl-backed construction, the 471-series fine-line tape is superior to paper and film-backed tapes because of its tendency to withstand lifting or tearing when stretched around a tight-radius bend.
Rick Valdez at Creative Images shoots the first coat of color on the STREET RODDER 2007 Road Tour coupe.
A wide roll of masking paper also makes masking off the flames on a hood much faster than doing it with thinner masking tape. The original design is taped out in 1/8-inch 233-series masking tape, a sheet of 36-inch masking paper is applied over that, and Rick traces over the taped pattern using a sharp X-Acto knife and removes the section that he wants painted.
For quick taping of large surfaces, nothing beats a wide roll of masking paper. Strong, flexible, and pliable, adhesive-backed masking paper is like a 36-inch-wide roll of masking tape. Formulated to resist penetrations of solvents, lacquers, or enamels, most masking papers also offer excellent protection against bleed-through from most primers, sealers, and basecoat/clearcoat paint systems.
Zane Cullen applies a length of 3M Soft Edge Foam Masking Tape to the doorjamb of a car that requires paint repair to its rear quarter.
While the Soft Edge Foam tape will provide a soft paint line and mask the doorjamb, the rest of the B-pillar needs to be masked to avoid any overspray. Masking paper is applied directly to the Soft Edge Foam tape and tucked inside the car.
Masking doorjambs, gas cap openings, hoods, trunks, tailgates, and other apertures is fast and easy using 3M Soft Edge Foam Masking Tape. Available in three sizes-12mm, 19mm, and 28mm-not only is the soft-edge foam a quick and easy way to seal off jambs and openings to protect them from paint overspray and other bodyworking byproducts, dust and other contaminants are sealed in, preventing them from ending up in the paint job. The big deal about the Soft Edge Foam, though, is its ability to soften otherwise hard paint lines usually left in doorjambs when a repair is made to an outside panel. Due to its unique three-dimensional design, it produces a virtually undetectable edge over traditional masking techniques.
The same treatment is applied to the opposite jamb on the door itself.
With the jambs taped up and the interior protected, the rest of the rear portion of the body is masked off so the repair can be made to the rear fender without affecting the rest of the paint job.
Creative Concepts
707-586-8696
www.creativeconcepts4u.com
Creative Images
209-339-0735
3M
www.3M.com/automotive
