chuck l

My Feedback: (17)

I did some experimenting tonight on a test piece covered with Solartex and sprayed with white Behr latex. Using 3M Fine Line 1/4" wide tape, I masked off an area and sprayed a red trim color. Unfortunately there was some bleeding underneath the tape, but I must say, the tape works great leaving a nice edge. I'm going to have to go to plan B and spray a light coating of white over the tape. The question is, how long can the tape be left on before it becomes a problem to remove it. Some of the threads say to remove the tape after the paint has dried for an hour. Is it a problem if it's eight hours or maybe twenty four hours?

Campy

My Feedback: (1)

I would suggest removing the tape after about an hour. The latex will be dry to the touch by then so you should be OK.

Personally I use 3M "60 day safe release" tape. It has a paper appearance and the adhesive index on the side of the wrapper should be a "2 dot" rating. My personal experience with this tape is that it will not pull up even fresh underlying paint.

With the 3M tape I have left the tape on for as long as 4 days before removing it (got called out of town on an emergency ) and had no problems.

scratchonly

I use 1/4 inch green painters masking tape (rated for 7 days) on latex; have left it overnight but try to do all the coats needed soon as each is dry to the touch and remove after last coat drys a few minutes. I dress up any leakage with a small brush after it is dry.

good luck.