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Using masking tape in the process of painting
Painting of new items, refresh the old surface, paint fragments or the whole product requires the use of adhesive masking tape.
Painting of new items, refresh the old surface, paint fragments or the whole product requires the use of adhesive masking tape.
Well-chosen masking tape should protect the surface, which is hidden during the process of painting, it cannot dissolve under the influence of paint, should be resistant to higher temperatures, and finally should be easily removed in one piece without leaving traces of glue.
There are many different tape for masking. They differ by the material of which they are made, bonding strength, temperature resistance, or even colour, etc.
The following information describes division of tapes due to the material on which layer of glue rests.
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Paper masking tape
Paper tape is the most popular group of masking tape. Used paper can be smooth (with masking straight lines) and thin (which makes a very low cut-off edge of the paint ) or thick (greater resistance to scratches and mechanical damage of area) and crepe (possibility of use for the curves).
Paper tape is the most popular group of masking tape. Used paper can be smooth (with masking straight lines) and thin (which makes a very low cut-off edge of the paint ) or thick (greater resistance to scratches and mechanical damage of area) and crepe (possibility of use for the curves).
In industry, in order to shorten the drying time of newly painted surfaces, the high temperature drying is often used. Depending on the type of paper, tape can withstand temperatures from 60°C up to 180°C. Some of them endure repeated heating. Good paper tape, generally, is easy to tear by hand, but also should be strong enough not to burst when removing it after use.
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| Pic 2. Masking straight areas (thin non-crepe tape) |
Plastic masking tape
In some specific applications, paper tapes do not give a satisfactory result. Then it is recommended to use masking tape made of plastic. An example is the vinyl tape (PVC). Through its flexibility, is ideal for masking curves and arcs. Another aspect of the use of plastic tapes may be their transparency. It allows you to control the surface of the tape, as well as the ability to precisely imposition of the tape.
In some specific applications, paper tapes do not give a satisfactory result. Then it is recommended to use masking tape made of plastic. An example is the vinyl tape (PVC). Through its flexibility, is ideal for masking curves and arcs. Another aspect of the use of plastic tapes may be their transparency. It allows you to control the surface of the tape, as well as the ability to precisely imposition of the tape.
If we want to protect the surface which is annealed at high temperatures (above 200°C), polyester or polyimide tape with silicone adhesive tapes are perfect. A typical use for them will be powder coating or wave soldering. Properties of polyester also make it easy to camouflage for long straight lines.
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| Pic. 3. Masking of curves (colour PVC) and straight (paper) |
Patterns of masking tape
For special applications masking tapes in the appropriate shape are prepared (eg, circles, rectangles). They allow to:
- precise surface protection (blanks shape is ideally suited to the masked surface)
- significant acceleration of the masking process (the worker does not have to individually cut strips)
- repeatability of production
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| Pic. 4. Masking in the process of powder coating (patterns of PET tape with silicone adhesive) |
To chose the right product, a few basic rules should be obey:
- choose the strength of adhesive of the tape to the surface (if the adhesive on the tape is too strong and may break the tape at its disposal, if it is too weak the paint may enter under the tape)
- choose the appropriate width of the tape (straight lines or curves) and the thickness of the tape (mechanical protection of the area)
- select the properties of the tape to the type of paint and painting process characteristics (resistance to temperature within the specified time, the process conditions, UV, ease of moulding shape, etc.)
- decide whether the roll is the correct solution or opt for patterns
Masking tape in addition to the basic application, is also often used as an auxiliary tape to the instantaneous fastening of elements ("third" hand”), marking, masking in processes other than painting (grouting, bonding, chemical processes, etc.).
More information: Janusz Tutak
