Masking tape & masking paper

1badfastback 1badfastback's Profile E-mail 1badfastback Settled In Posts: 14 Joined: Wed May 15, 2024 11:30 am Country: USA	Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 6:36 pm Who makes the best masking paper & tape? How long will masking tape last if it’s stored properly? It will be stored in a heated & cooled place. I’m asking this because I’m looking to retire in a year. Wanting to buy the tape before I retire if it will last . Should start to work on the car around a year after I retire.
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Doright Doright's Profile E-mail Doright Doright's Website Top Contributor Posts: 6402 Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm Location: Pahrump NV. Country: USA	Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 6:57 pm I keep green 3M stashed away, Keep the climate controlled where its stored. Dennis B. A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2024 9:59 pm

If temperature and humidity are controlled then masking tape of any decent quality should last quite a few years. Key is to keep it in the original packaging which helps to stop it from drying out.

I hardly use paper these days - only as a skirt around a bonnet or something, but so long as it's dry it will last almost forever. I do use plastic masking and it's the same. Keep it dry and it will last longer than I will.

Chris

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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2024 11:09 am

I like 3M Yellow masking tape for general use.
Check around for pricing but here's an example.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-6654-Automoti ... B0036C0PVI

For masking paper, I have been using USC but have also used the less expensive brands as well.
Again, shopping around for better pricing.
https://www.eastwood.com/usc-polycoated ... 38018.html

I find most of the time, I use plastic sheeting. It comes on rolls and can be bought in width from 12' - 20' when unfolded, so you don't have to pull a bunch off the roll to get things covered.
USC Sharkskin in the 12' size is what I have been using.

1968 Coronet R/T

ACTS 16:31

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Doright Doright's Profile E-mail Doright Doright's Website Top Contributor Posts: 6402 Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm Location: Pahrump NV. Country: USA	Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 10:26 am I really like the Plastic stuff very easy to use, trims super easy to tape down to car. Stuff is a bit expensive though. Dennis B. A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:09 pm

Doright wrote:Stuff is a bit expensive though.

The rolls I buy are 5m wide by 120m long and cost around $40AUD ($26USD). That's enough for 15 large cars, so worst case is that the masking costs me about $2.70/car. Compared to paper I'd save at least 45 minutes/car, which works out to be around $75. Stripping takes maybe 5 minutes and I'm using a fraction of the tape I used to.

Most of the time I can strip in the booth and just run outside ready for customer to pick up. Zero overspray and zero dust. For me the plastic is a boon. :goodjob:

Chris

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JCCLARK JCCLARK's Profile E-mail JCCLARK JCCLARK's Website Top Contributor Posts: 4036 Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:59 am Location: Louisville, KY Country: USA	Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 8:21 am I always cover the car in plastic, but I also always outline my spray area with paper about 2 ft first. I don't like the heavy wet overspray going on the plastic, I worry it may flake off when spraying. JC. (It's not custom painting-it's custom sanding)
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 3:26 pm

JCCLARK wrote:I also always outline my spray area with paper about 2 ft first.
I don't like the heavy wet overspray going on the plastic, I worry it may flake off when spraying.

Understand your reluctance. When plastic first came out I did the same, after having flakes come off and land in the job. But the quality of the plastic improved to the point where I found the paper no longer necessary. Might be worth trying a different brand?

Chris

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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 8:59 am

NFT5 wrote:
JCCLARK wrote:I also always outline my spray area with paper about 2 ft first.
I don't like the heavy wet overspray going on the plastic, I worry it may flake off when spraying.

Understand your reluctance. When plastic first came out I did the same, after having flakes come off and land in the job. But the quality of the plastic improved to the point where I found the paper no longer necessary. Might be worth trying a different brand?

Same here. The plastic sheeting when applied correctly works great. No flakes or peeling anymore..

1968 Coronet R/T

ACTS 16:31

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