I getting ready to peel and paint the bottom next week. I'm going to use Fine-line (blue) masking tape along the water line and then paper or plastic up from there. Has anyone else use the Fine line for this? Will it hold up for the entire job or should I re-apply new after stripping? Any other methods out there? Thanks!
- Status
plan to tape it twice
Since you will remove, sand, and then re-apply a coating, the tape will not survive. A thicker tape with a longer term adhesive will work much better. I work with thw 3M fine line alot. A good, thicker tape designed to stay on for the whole time will serve you better for the prep stage as it must protect your hull while sanding also, after which it will be in no shape for a good line. Then you can remove it and retape with the fine line. Fine line is made of plastic so don't pull it real tight and dont leave it on too long as it will want to return to it's original shape (as plastic does).
Since you will remove, sand, and then re-apply a coating, the tape will not survive. A thicker tape with a longer term adhesive will work much better. I work with thw 3M fine line alot. A good, thicker tape designed to stay on for the whole time will serve you better for the prep stage as it must protect your hull while sanding also, after which it will be in no shape for a good line. Then you can remove it and retape with the fine line. Fine line is made of plastic so don't pull it real tight and dont leave it on too long as it will want to return to it's original shape (as plastic does).
Blue masking tape
I used 2" blue masking tape (3M or Scotch) when I painted the boot stripe (enamel by Rustoleum) and didn't have any problems with runs, tape peeling off the paint, etc. I also used the tape to mask off the hull before rolling on the antifouling paint. If you go with masking tape, be sure to run your thumb along the line to ensure a tight seal. But then, you'd want to do this regardless of the tape type. The tape is about $1.20 less per role at HomeDepot than, say, West Marine.
I used 2" blue masking tape (3M or Scotch) when I painted the boot stripe (enamel by Rustoleum) and didn't have any problems with runs, tape peeling off the paint, etc. I also used the tape to mask off the hull before rolling on the antifouling paint. If you go with masking tape, be sure to run your thumb along the line to ensure a tight seal. But then, you'd want to do this regardless of the tape type. The tape is about $1.20 less per role at HomeDepot than, say, West Marine.
- Status