Removing masking after paint
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 364
Likes: 22
From: Eagar, az
Removing masking after paint
Howdy. So finally ready to go for my first paint job in the morning. Been sanding for a few weeks now 
and still playing every step of the way in my head. Excited to see my truck! However I am getting very different answers as to when I should pull tape. Like every answer is completely different. Worried about messing up the job I have been busting my *** on for a month, and being back at square 1. Shoild I let the urethane set for a day or two, or pull it while still wet?
and still playing every step of the way in my head. Excited to see my truck! However I am getting very different answers as to when I should pull tape. Like every answer is completely different. Worried about messing up the job I have been busting my *** on for a month, and being back at square 1. Shoild I let the urethane set for a day or two, or pull it while still wet?
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
Generally speaking,the only time you would pull the masking tape off when paint is wet is when a cleaner,less obvious paint line is needed. Doing while still reasonably wet allows the paint (paint line) to settle just a bit making it a bit smoother when dry. The downside of pulling tape when wet is mistakenly getting into the surrounding wet paint,accidently touching wet paint,pulled tape hitting wet paint, etc, blah,blah. Usually tape is pulled when wet around a decal where you don't want to sand and buff close to the decal after paint dried to lessen the line. Zero problem removing tape and masking paper after paint has dried, next day,2 days,whatever. If not out in the sun where the tape will be baking on after a day or 2; take the tape off a week later if you like. A lot less chance for screwing up wet paint for no reason. Oh,use a GOOD quality masking tape.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
One more quicky thought. Imagine pulling ALL that flapping,draping,dragging, masking paper from the windshield,back window,side doors etc. and TRYING to keep the paper AND crap out of the wet paint. Do you final coat of paint and walk away. Come back in an hour or two to admire your work. Good luck!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,879
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Urethane dries extremely slow so you have time. it's best to pull the tape anywhere it contacts the actual paint as soon as the paint is dry enough that if the paper bumps it no mark will be left. places the tape is not in contact with paint leave it plenty of time why take a chance.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
I would only pull it if doing a 2-tone and only right on the seam between colors (and only if there is no trim to cover seam line). Leave the tape and paper over the windshield, etc as long as you need to make sure paint is totally dry.
There could be a lot of trapped dirt or dust under the paper or tape. I wouldn't risk getting any of that in wet paint. Spray and walk away til dry.
Think of doing a flame job...you would NOT pull tape until base coat is dry.
There could be a lot of trapped dirt or dust under the paper or tape. I wouldn't risk getting any of that in wet paint. Spray and walk away til dry.
Think of doing a flame job...you would NOT pull tape until base coat is dry.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
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^^^What he said. The only reason you'd need to pull tape right away is if you tape the body for 2 tone, stripes, graphics, etc. and you're using single stage paints. If you're doing that you should be using fine line tape to get a nice sharp line. Otherwise, tape shouldn't be touching the painted surfaces anywhere. If you find a piece of tape with paint build up or overlap when you're peeling it, just use a new razor blade to carefully slice the paint along the tapes edge, but on the tape. Go easy and you won't cut through the tape.
I masked hundreds of cars in my 20s when I worked in a body shop, I hate it. I've always been a fan of removing as much as possible before masking, makes for a cleaner finished paint job. Take as much time, and tape, as necessary to do a good masking job if you're not gonna strip it, a poor masking job will ruin the best paint job. And if you don't have fingernails, let one grow out, it'll help with rolling the tape around trim edges so it doesn't touch the panel being painted.
I masked hundreds of cars in my 20s when I worked in a body shop, I hate it. I've always been a fan of removing as much as possible before masking, makes for a cleaner finished paint job. Take as much time, and tape, as necessary to do a good masking job if you're not gonna strip it, a poor masking job will ruin the best paint job. And if you don't have fingernails, let one grow out, it'll help with rolling the tape around trim edges so it doesn't touch the panel being painted.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 364
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From: Eagar, az
Thanks for the replies. I will just leave it. Happy with how it came out despite being run city. By the time I figured out how fast and close I should be, 2 gallons were gone, and she was done. Came out way shinier than i expected. Cant wait to slap everything back on and take a break!
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
Tell what you used for paint (the system) and the actual color and I can possibly help you on your runs in the paint. Painting is BOTH an exact science from basic A thru Z in the paint process but ALSO full of IN-EXACT variables on every job and situation. Experiance is what gets a body person through every situation as it changes job to job. There is no "just do this and you'll be fine". What you might do in one situation that worked just great; will not work at all in the next. That is the nature of body work and painting.... no one answer fits all situations.
It sounds like you did fine on your truck! Good job !
It sounds like you did fine on your truck! Good job !
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 364
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From: Eagar, az
I used custom shop dtm epoxy primer under restoration shop single stage urethane in rock moss green. Got 2 coats primer and 5 thick coats of the urethane, so I have plenty of material to sand on, and work with but i am soooooo tired of sanding that i will probably just leave it for a bit.
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