How to avoid getting paint edges when painting?

[Sigge]

Hi,


another painting session when I repaired my shovel nose, and
got those ugly edges between the new paint and the old paint when I removed the tape:-(

Has anyone got any idea how to avoid getting those edges when painting two diff colours or repairing and puttings on some new paint?


/Sigge

[AndyKunz]

Use a different masking film. I use a special vinyl made for the purpose. From what I can tell, the edge seems to be related to the glue on the mask and the thickness of the mask. Thinner is better.

Liquid masks are wonderful.

Andy

[Larry Benson]

something I have done with success is brush a thin coat of clear right at the edge of the tape or spray a light coat of clear first, if you have a spot that leaks the clear seals it and doesn't show when the tape is removed

[Sigge]

I use ordinary tape that the house painters use. It is a yellow-whitish type that is pretty flexible.

I think the problem is that there will be a height diff between the new and old paint.

I like the idea to build up a smooth "hill" so that the edge will not be a 90 deg step but a smooth one.




/Sigge

[eddieh]

Larry's tip is a good one and very good for intricate designs, burnishing the edge of the tape with the handle of an exacto, but I think Sigge is talking about the edge that is left when you peel the tape off, this can only be accomplished by careful timing and judicious spraying, Sigge if possible peel the tape whilst the paint is still tacky, peel the tape back along itself, if you judged it right the paint is just fluid enough to flow out and leave a nice feathered edge. a little heat from a lamp helps, good luck, cheers eddie

[Drobie]

To add to Larry's tip....

Instead of clear, after you mask, spray or brush some of the base color over the tape first, then the second color.

An extra step, but when painting, speed is an enemy.

[Sigge]

Eddie,
thanks for the tip!

I ususally wait several days before removing the tape....



/Sigge

[eddieh]

Sigge, that's a mistake, as it leaves a very rough edge, it's ok if you are going to wetsand and clear afterward, but even then not recommended, if you do it while it is still a little tacky, the difference will be like night and day,, glad to help, cheers eddie