I am finishing a plug for a Sabre. I primed, then applied 1/64" chartpak tape, then painted acrylic enamel. It seems to stay soft for a few days. I tried pulling the tape off, but at the ends it started lifting the paint. Since the paint covers the tape completely it has to be broken to let the tape be pulled off. I tried sanding to break the "envelope" but the tape got so thin that I couldn't pull it off. If I wait several days until the paint hardens up, I might not be able to get it off at all.

I know this technique has been used for years. What is the secret?

Thanks for any help

sb