[PAradiogeek]

Hi Everybody,

I did some toning on my 19B cabinet today. Naturally, there are areas that aren't supposed to be toned, so I had to cover those. I used some paper and some blue painters tape to do that.

After I was done with the toning, I let everything sit for a couple of hours to make sure that the toner had time to dry nicely. However, when I removed the blue tape, it pulled the lacquer up in a couple of places, and in a couple of other places it left some of it's adhesive behind I just had to strip the outer portion of the front again because it was all messed up.

Has anyone ever had this problem with the blue tape? I've read lots of posts about toning and masking and I haven't seen anyone mention this before. Any ideas why this happened?

Thanks,
Jon

[morzh]

Have you ever painted a house interior? If you ever did, you would know the blue tape (and so does every color painter's tape as long as it is paper) pulls the paint some. Also, the painter's tape simply is not for thin pigments, it is for thick liquids containing no solvents like those used in certain lacquers and such. They will soak the tape as it is paper and it will start pulling the pigment.

[PAradiogeek]

Thanks Morzh,

So what do people use for this? is there a different kind of tape that won't damage a finish?

[morzh]

This other people will have to answer, I only have house painting experience...

[PAradiogeek]

Yeah, me too until today.

Well one good thing I learned is why people like lacquer. It only took about 15 minutes to strip the front arch using lacquer thinner and a few papaer towels. I think I managed to do that without ruining any of the remaining finish. A little touch up sanding and I think I'll be back in business.

[OldRestorer]

the way i solved it was to remove the tape right after toning. if it is still wet it cant stick to the tape.
Works for me.

Kirk

[PAradiogeek]

I had a feeling (in hindsight) that this might not have happened if I had removed the tape immediately. Thanks for confirming that Kirk.

[Warren]

I had better luck with simple masking tape rather than the painters tape. If you only have some tape residue left afterwards some mineral spirits should clean it up.

[PAradiogeek]

What am I missing? Wasn't this stuff made to not damage finishes? And plain old masking tape is better?

[Geoff]

I have had mixed results with the blue tape. Sometimes it came off easily, other times it left adhesive residue that was a pain to remove. I only use the green tape now and have not had any issues since.

- Geoff

[Steve Davis]

I always use the brown tape and only 3M brand.

Steve

[Ron Ramirez]

Has anyone ever had this problem with the blue tape? I've read lots of posts about toning and masking and I haven't seen anyone mention this before.

You haven't read this thread, have you.

http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=2624

After that debacle, I started using Frog Tape (green). No more problems.

Steve, this brown tape you refer to...is it dark brown? What exactly is special about it to set it apart from other tape allegedly for painting? Not being critical at all, I am curious though as I would like to try it. If you're using it, it must be good because you do great cabinet work.

[PAradiogeek]

Geoff and Steve,

I hadn't thought about brand being important. As with anything, the original is usually better than the cheap knockoff. In this case though, I was using 3M tape.

I just went on Lowe's website and the tapes they offer are rated for at least three different levels of adhesion. I couldn't find the exact tape that I used (several years old), so I am assuming that I had a medium or strong adhesion tape. I did find a couple of light adhesion tapes that are mentioned for use with delicate surfaces. Live and learn.

Still trying to get all of the adhesive off of the side of the radio from yesterday's fiasco. I thought it would come off easily, but it is surprisingly stubborn.

[Steve Davis]

Ron, I use the ordinary light tan masking tape by 3M. I have had good luck with it (at least so far).

Steve

[Ron Ramirez]

Ah, plain old tan masking tape...3M brand...okay, got it. Thanks, Steve!