Best masking tape for painting a car?

[steveo3002]

To answer the main question, no, it’s not fine line I’m after, this is to mask up the Sierra ready for primer. Stuff like the door shuts and round the screen etc. but the 3M blue I’ve been using doesn’t stick well enough. As I run over it with the spray gun it just lifts off. Tried cleaning the surface with thinners and panel wipe first but it still doesn’t stick properly. Maybe something with the batch etc. does tape “go off” ?

Ordered a few different brands from a high volume eBay seller. See what happens with those.

its fake or stale or something wrong , ive used box fulls of it and it works well , shouldnt blow up with the spray gun etc , while it dont like paying for it i have to 3m is pretty reliable stuff

come to think of it there might be more than one 3m blue...i used the 3434

edit looking online the diy store stuff isnt the same labeling as automotive stuff....did you buy it from a diy store or paint supply shop? proper stuff only comes in boxes of 48 or so , wonder if theres a budget retail store version?

 

[norsa]

Reiterating the fact that a majority of paintshop consumables are not best substituted for cheaper brands .
Nick

 

[Domdom]

The 3M stuff I have came from a paint shop consumables place.

 

[richie00boy]

As Steve said, think there's a few different blue tapes 3M do. I always use 3434 same as Steve and find it excellent. For visible edges/lines I've got 3M fine line tape, a beige one, not sure of the number.

 

[bert]

I use trident masking tape, seems OK and sticks OK to most things. I don't have issues of it peeling off until after the job and its been baked or left a week.

 

[pedrobedro]

Keep it in a drawer out of the light when you aren't using it and it will keep a lot longer. My wife claims my part used rolls to write on for labels on freezer containers

 

[marlinspike]

Frog tape or 3M, or another decent brand. Think I have used the Toolstation Ultratape (with the Rhino on) and that was ok too. Whenever I have used really cheap brands, including Aldi and Lidl, they don't release from the roll evenly and you end up with loads of torn bits. It's the same as the cheap Sellotape knock offs - you do get what you pay for sometimes.

I also keep all my masking tape in the house now. It just goes manky kept in the garage or shed.

I think there are some things you can get away with cheap brands but tape, wet and dry papers, cutting discs, it's more economic in the long run to buy stuff that does the job first time.

 

[8ob]

and store it in a plastic bag , never place down on a dusty car /the floor if wanting a crisp edge

That makes perfect sense Being pointed at the obvious after many years of launching knackered masking tape in the bin hurts.



Bob

 

[norsa]

As they say Bob, you're never too old to learn. I never have that problem as the mechanics and engineers keep coming in and thieving my tape. Then they want to bring it back all covered in oil and grease.
Nick