masking tape removal

[Richard19068]

Is there a secret or trick to easily remove masking tape after varnishing bright work? I have used the 3M 14 day blue tape but it is a bear to remove after just 4 days, particularly where varnish has got on the edge of the tape. I am getting tired of scraping tape with a razorblade!Thanks for any tips.

 

[Bob]

WD-40 takes tape and glue off

 

[Don]

It can be...

a bear to remove. I have found the best way to work the 3M blue tape is to remove it just after application of paint or varnish. If you wait to long, the tape sticks right along your "wet" edge. Only way I found to remove is just what you are doing, razor blade. Summer temps also shorten release period. I try to not leave it on for more than 1 day.

 

[pimerese]

try this....

heat it with a hair dryer as you pull it off.

 

[Mike Misko]

4 days is too long

especially outside. In addition to the edge sticking, I had a gooey mess everywhere under where the tape was stuck down. Used Goo Gone - it worked but was a painstaking slow process. The WD40 tip is worth a try.

 

[Jentine]

Wrong tape.

I use green tape found at automotive body shop suppliers. I have removed it up to seven months later with little difficulty. For masking those big jobs, it is available attached to brown paper of verious widths for those who wish to spray.Jim

 

[Rich]

Practical Sailor didn't like the 3M tape

I picked up an issue of Practical Sailor last year that evaluated painting tapes and found the 3M tapes not behaving as advertised. They contacted 3M and did not get a very satisfactory response. I can't remember the brand they advocated, but the 3M came out the loser.I've been using up some odd rolls of tape this season and found ordinary masking tape to work much better than the blue 3M.

 

[Paul (Affinity C320)]

Masking Tape

I have found that all forms of masking tape when used with paint comes off very easy if done immediately after painting. Even the blue 3M. You can't leave it on for days, weeks and months -- accept of course for the green stuff as noted.

 

[John Dawson]

Fine Line

The pale green Fine Line is better behaved; its a little stretchy to follow a waterline, it comes off clean within a few days and hasn't left a gummy trail. More expensive, but the blue stuff was a real gummy mess after a few days on my job.