Masking issues

[Paint munky]

I painted a fuel tank today in red and black, its not the first time ive done a 2 tone paintjob but its the first time ive attempted the 2nd colour the same day and this happened when i removed the tape and paper after laying the red on,


Now im quite certain this has happened because i didn't wait long enough but how long should you give basecoat before masking up? It most likely had about 3hrs and i dried each coat of base with a IR lamp which i assumed would be enough but obviously not.

Next question, whats the best way to tackle this? im thinking flat the black back with 600 grit and redo but now im worried the same will happen to the red and i ideally need to finish the tank tomorrow if at all possible.

 

[pedrobedro]

Flat the black back and nip into Screwfix for some frog tape or get some low tack masking tape.

 

[Paint munky]

Hmmm i thought the fineline tape i used was low tack but just checked and its not

Frog tape is a new one to me so i'll give that a try tomorrow cheers.

For future reference what is the timescale for using fineline tape on basecoat?

 

[steveo3002]

should work as soon as its dried over ...say 25 mins in ideal conditions , but that would vary if doing it at home , does look like it was slightly wet still

 

[richie00boy]

What fineline tape was it? 3M beige one?

Does also look like maybe the paper was soaked too much in paint and the solvents got through. Use a double layer of paper.

 

[Paint munky]

Thats what everyone has told me including the paint supplier, i am doing it at home so conditions are not ideal especially in this weather but i thought the IR lamp would give me a fighting chance if i left it for hours before laying the 2nd colour on.

Ive just picked up some low tack frog tape so will mask the red and shoot the black again with fingers crossed, i also got some proper masking paper as i doubt the using news paper helped.

I spose if im honest then yes it did look ever so slightly wet but to touch felt bone dry, i even laid each coat on very light compared to how id usually do it

 

[richie00boy]

If you used newspaper that's definitely the problem! I've been bitten even when using several sheets, won't use it now only proper masking paper as it's so much better.

 

[langy]

What brand fineline tape was it ? Not all are equal
I usually leave the basecoat 30-45 mins to dry off and then use 3M tape.
I wouldn't use newspaper, I often use the semi clear body mask stuff as it conforms to shapes better than masking paper

 

[steveo3002]

if its being a huge pain for you , give it a quick coat of clear and let that harden then 1200 and mask off and add the second colour

shouldnt be required really but might be easier in the long run

 

[Paint munky]

It was 3M fineline tape. I realise the newspaper thing was a big mistake but i didnt expect the fineline tape to leave a residue.

@Steve,out of interest when you say a quick coat of clear do you mean just a light (what i would call) dusting coat?

 

[steveo3002]

a full light coat ..so its covered

in other words , not 3 sopping wet coats lol

 

[Paint munky]

Well low tack tape and proper masking paper didnt help as the red now looks just like the black did

Guess im just going to have to clear each colour as i do them but does anyone have any idea as to whats going wrong? i know its a drying issue but i painted the red yesterday afternoon so surely thats enough time even in this weather to dry?

 

[steveo3002]

does sound a bit strange ..what was the primer sanded with?

 

[Paint munky]

I wet sanded with 400 grit

 

[steveo3002]

should be plenty of key there

600-800 wet would be ideal for next time

 

[Paint munky]

Ok thanks.

Right so ive just cleared the black, how long should i leave this before masking off to redo the red?

 

[steveo3002]

how are you drying it ?

honestly the luck you are having..warm it up and leave overnight , then a gentle 1200 wet , then let it sit again 24hrs or more with some heat to help it

just go carefull with the basecoat , the thinners can pickle it up if the clear isnt dry /or you go really wet

 

[Paint munky]

Ive got a IR lamp for drying

Bit late im shooting the red as we speak, i left it for a couple of hours and the clear felt really dry so went for it.

I was thinking if the masking leaves a residue on the clear its got to be flatted anyway so i'll then shoot another clearcoat over both colours.

This has all turned a bit blue peter but really need this finished tonight so im just gunna have to do the best i can with it, live and learn eh

 

[norsa]

Just to add a little. Are you de masking immediately after the final colour coat? Personally I would flat back the substrate 800, blow in the black to hold out, dry for 30mins, narrow F/E low tack (3M, don't get starchem) then mask the rest out with poly, lightly over with grey scotch, tack, blow in the red (2-3 light coats) and immediately de mask ready for clear.
Nick

 

[graffian]

I used to leave stuff an hour or so after base coat before masking for the next colour, in hot weather that is, in cold weather it would have been longer.
I would have painted your tank red, masked it and squirted the black on then cleared and probably done it with a few hours between each step today.
GSX tanks[pretty similar to yours I think] I painted solid colours, flatted then did all the striping/lettering before clearing. I might have basecoated them but I had 5l of suzi rosso 2pack mixed by accident[FREE].
I took pics when I did one of them.This is painted red, left overnight, flatted and then the black put on. Then left, before more flatting prior to striping, lettering and clear.

I mask with the fineline, then put tape on the kraft[or newspaper] and try to stick that to the fineline tape.