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.
Thin crepe is
better than thick
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. Wet paint can also seep into small
channels leaving a fuzzy paint edge.
End tabbing
for easier removal
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.
Handling tape for best application
 |
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. |
 |
Lay tape into depressions.
Do not stretch or force tape into depressions. This leaves "stretch" in the tape that compensates for any shrinkage during painting or drying, so you'll get better adhesion and paint edge. |
 | Firmly press down tape edges.
After laying the tape into position, press down the edges. Using a plastic 3M™ "P.A.-1" Tape Wipe increases tape-to-surface contact to help prevent seepage and jagged paint lines. |
Application Techniques
Direct masking
Apply tape directly to a clean, dry surface
with or without gross masking paper
or film.
Do not tape over freshly painted
surfaces. This can trap solvents and
cause imprinting or ghosting.
Double stick
offset masking
Overlap two tapes adhesive side to adhesive
side with edges offset so that adhesive is
exposed on both sides. Tape can then be
applied first in production and then a gross
mask added later.
The technique can also fill gaps. For
example, tape is first applied to the edge
of a desk and hangs inside an opened
drawer. When the drawer is closed the
tape seals the gap.
Inside out masking
Apply tape to the inside of a frame such as
a window, leaving some of the adhesive side
overhanging into the opening. Apply
gross masking paper or film to the
exposed adhesive.
Spiral or twist masking
This technique helps prevent paint blow
bye into gaps such as door jambs.
With adhesive side out, twist the tape
back onto itself creating a cylinder with an
adhesive exterior. Press the cylinder into a
gap or close the door on it.
Feathered edge masking
A feathered paint edge provides a very
low profile that is usually covered with a
decorative tape. The tape after application
appears smooth with no visible ridge from
a paint edge.
To create a feathered edge, fold up one
tape edge. Spray paint from an angle that
does not allow the paint to go directly
under the folded edge.
Reverse masking for large areas
For two-tone applications over large areas,
this technique involves sealing the ends or
flaps of large masking bags or sheets.
1. Apply 3M fine line masking tape to the
painted surface to establish the break line
for the second color that will be added over
the first color.
2. Prepare a 6" high gross mask of paper
or film with 3M crepe masking tape
overhanging the top and bottom edges.
3. Apply one edge over the fine line tape.
The crepe edge is set back from the edge
of the fine line tape. The other edge of
the gross mask is an unattached flap at
this point.
NOTE: Before applying the crepe tape
lightly scuff the back of the fine line tape
with a Scotch-Brite™ Hand Pad to
increase the adhesion between the two
tapes if needed.
4. The primary color will be protected
with a masking bag or large sheets of
gross masking paper or film. Tuck the bag
or sheet edges behind the flap of the 6"
mask and press the flap firmly in place.
5. Tape down all loose flaps.
Removal Tip:
Not too fast, not too hot
90° pull at moderate
speed for best results
 | Keep the angle of removal perpendicular(90°) to the surface and pull at a moderate
speed. If the angle is more or less, there is
greater chance of adhesive transferring
from the tape to the surface. The
same problem is possible if the
tape is removed too slowly. If removed too
quickly, the tape may tear or sliver. |
Remove at 60-120°F
(15-49°C) for clean release
At 60-120°F (15-49°C), the adhesive is
firm enough for clean removal without
tearing or slivering. Removal at hotter
temperature increases the potential for
adhesive transfer. At colder temperature,
the tape is more brittle with increased
chance for slivering.
When speed or temperature
of removal is not quite right...
For minor adhesive transfer rub the
adhesive with your finger into a ball
and wipe it off. Or, dab up the
adhesive with another piece of tape.
For major adhesive transfer that is tacky,
use common cleaning agents such as 3M
citrus base cleaner, mineral spirits, or
industrial solvents. Before use, always
review manufacturer MSDS and test
the surface in an inconspicuous area.
For hard adhesive on hard surfaces,
scrape with a razor blade or sand with
fine grit paper. Use caution to prevent
surface damage.
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