Masking Tape and Brightwork

[Dave Mauney]

I am just getting ready to refinish my brightwork. I am wondering if it is possible to leave the masking tape on for a few days through a number of coats of Epifanes varnish or do I need to pull it while each coat is still wet and retape before applying the next.ThanksDave

 

[Steve Dion]

Depends on the type of tape you use.

Dave:It depends on the type of tape you use. I believe that the green

 

[Jim Cook]

Blue is great, White s@%ks

Blue tape is supposed to be good up to 1 week in the sun. Mine has been on for 10 days now and I won't finish till this weekend. It was on for over 2 weeks last time with only a little bit of residue (in the South Texas sun in the summer).Don't waste you money on the white "Easy Release" tape. It is supposed to perform fine edges but it doesn't stick to fiberglass well enough to keep paint/varnish from seeping underneath.JimC"Dream Chaser"

 

[Bob]

Color of the tape doesn't matter...

...as long as it isn't plain old masking tape. The tape must be the type for automotive or marine paint and finishing masking purposes. The reason for this is that the adhesive on ordinary masking tape can dry and remain on the finished surface if left on for a couple of days. Another reason is that automotive masking tape is thinner and makes a paint ridge easier to blend, also, the automotive tape doesn't leave adhesive residue behind.Cheers,Bob

 

[Larry]

Electrical tape

The painters at my marina use black electrical tape for bottom paint and boot stripe. It's cheaper and leaves no residue---why not brightwork?

 

[Dave Mauney]

Thanks All

I have got the blue stuff and am hard at it.Good WindsDave