Paint experts
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Paint experts
I taped up a year ago my hood to spray underneath black,I covered as much with brown paper as possible knowingly that it would be covered up a while,since at that time was doing engine,suspension work to car,so knew the hood would be off a while,Well,now over a year later,I’m almost ready to put hood back on car,my question is because I did tape edge of hood to make sure no over spray got on my paint,I’m scared pulling tape off might pull paint also,can I possibly spray warm soapy water on it to help not stick while pulling tape off.or any other ideas,or just pull and prey.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,244
From: US-PNW
I guess it depends on what kind of tape you used... Maybe run a razor blade right at the tape line to ensure the tape doesn't lift the black edge. To soften the tape, try dentured alcohol or 3M adhesive remover – neither of these will damage paint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 2,326
From: Central UT
Hi Golferdad, you've provided a good reminder to others that it's best to remove tape shortly after shooting. Here are a couple of thoughts...
- If your base/color/clear coats (whatever you used) were put over properly prepped surfaces, you're probably okay if you're careful.
- I suggest using a heat gun (carefully not to overheat the areas) to warm the tape up. Hopefully you used a good painters tape.
- Warm up a foot or two and pull the tape off with this method: pull it at 180 degrees (flat to the tape surface) at a slight angle to parallel. I hope that makes sense. What you'll be trying to do is pull the warmed up tape back over itself at a slight angle.
- If you have a problem with the fully cured material causing the tape to tear, use a sharp pointed knife to carefully get under the torn edge of the tape, gently lift the corner, and begin again. Repeat until done.
- BTW, this is the method I was taught to remove tape when I learned to paint several years ago (without the 'warming up part'. I'm suggesting this since the tape has set so long and may have gone through several heat/cool cycles.). The reason for this is that pulling the tape straight back at a slight angle is less likely to 'pull' the edges of the material away from the sealer or whatever base was used.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
I would rather see you start with a hair dryer than a heat gun. And no sharp instruments that would scratch the paint. If you use a HG, go on low, and use extreme care not to soften the paint. Then youll have bigger problems. Don't cause more damage.
The best would be to soak the tape with 3M adhesive remover. That's really the best. The second best would be to soak with a rag soaked with Wax & Grease remover. Both should not damage your car's paint (but spot-test first). The adhesive remover is the best product though.
I left some tape on a project recently. It got sun-baked for months...real hard and brittle. I soaked it in 3M Adhesive remover a couple minutes with a soaked rag ...and it came off not too bad. I still had to pick at it a bit with my fingernail some, but it came off and didn't damage the paint. Hopefully the tape adhesives didn't permeate your hood's paint and leave a permanent stain. But yeah, the adhesive remover is a great product. I use stuff, a qt lasts almost forever. But below is cheaper.
https://www.autozone.com/wash-cleaners-and-exterior-care-products/bug-tar-paint-and-decal-remover/p/3m-adhesive-tar-and-wax-remover-12oz/189453_0_0?spps.s=3960&new_store_set=tru e
.
The best would be to soak the tape with 3M adhesive remover. That's really the best. The second best would be to soak with a rag soaked with Wax & Grease remover. Both should not damage your car's paint (but spot-test first). The adhesive remover is the best product though.
I left some tape on a project recently. It got sun-baked for months...real hard and brittle. I soaked it in 3M Adhesive remover a couple minutes with a soaked rag ...and it came off not too bad. I still had to pick at it a bit with my fingernail some, but it came off and didn't damage the paint. Hopefully the tape adhesives didn't permeate your hood's paint and leave a permanent stain. But yeah, the adhesive remover is a great product. I use stuff, a qt lasts almost forever. But below is cheaper.
https://www.autozone.com/wash-cleaners-and-exterior-care-products/bug-tar-paint-and-decal-remover/p/3m-adhesive-tar-and-wax-remover-12oz/189453_0_0?spps.s=3960&new_store_set=tru e
.
Last edited by Mark G; Nov 5, 2024 at 06:13 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 1,723
From: Summerville SC
Not sure how it would work on masking tape, but I have discovered, don't ask how, that baby oil on bandage tape will soften the adhesive and it will just lift off. As with the adhesive remover, just put some on a rag and dab it on. 
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,244
From: US-PNW
WD-40 would work too. It's a light oil that dissolves many adhesives.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
Just a note on the tape used in the future. Don't use typical hardware store tape. Use "body shop" tape like 3M and don't let it sit in the sun
However, if it HAD to be a long time I would go with a home center blue masking tape, or Frog-Tape. Those I have left on some home projects for quite a long while and they came off in like a yr w/o too much trouble. Even better than the autobody tape.
