Surface considerations for best results

A clean surface gives the adhesion and removal you want.

• Simply wipe the surface with a dry lint-free cloth to remove dust, dirt, and moisture.
• To remove oil, grease, or plasticizer contamination, wash the surface with soap and water.
• To remove silicone in some instances, apply shaving cream that contains palm oil and scrub clean with water.
• If you have tougher contaminants, isopropanol or industrial solvent like heptane may be necessary to prep the surface.
• When using such chemicals, follow the MSDS handling instructions.
• Always test the tape in an inconspicuous area before full scale application.

Surface temperatures between 50-90°F (10-32°C) are best for tape application.

• Colder surfaces may cause the adhesive to firm up and not grab well enough for an effective bond and sharp paint line.
• On hot surfaces, the adhesive may soften and smear.

Avoid stretching the tape.

• Pull at least a foot of tape at a time from the roll… more when conditions permit.
• Press down only small increments of tape, keeping a droop between the point of contact and the roll or tape end.
• If stretched, tape may lift or break.

Firmly press down tape edges.

• After laying the tape into position, press down the edges.
• Using a plastic 3M™ "PA-1" Tape Wipe increases tape-to-surface contact to help prevent seepage and jagged paint lines.

Lay tape into depressions.

Do not stretch or force tape into depressions; laying it leaves "stretch" in the tape that compensates for any shrinkage during painting or drying, so you'll get better adhesion and paint edge.

• 3M Masking Tapes use a thin crepe backing to solve several thick crepe problems.
• With thick crepe, paint builds up along the tape for a visible paint ridge, and wet paint can also seep into small channels leaving a fuzzy paint edge.

• Fold over and stick the end of the tape to itself.
• The resulting tab is a convenient starting point for easy tape removal with reduced chance for slivering.
• Be sure no adhesive is exposed to stick to other surfaces.

Tape Selection | Application Tips | Application Techniques | Tape Removal

For a printable version of the Professional Masking Tips and Techniques brochure (PDF 1.2 MB), click here.