OK.....When do I pull the tape??

V

victorypilot

Guest
I'm new to this site and will be attempting my first ghost flame job next week. I've studied all the how-to's and have experience painting bikes but just straight paintjobs and no graphics. One thing I haven't been able to determine from all the info is: What is the bottom-line on removing the tape after spraying the flames? I just want to make sure I get a nice edge. I will be spraying the platinum pearl ghost flames over my stock black basecoat. I've read articles telling me to remove the tape after the last coat has flashed, and others that say to remove the tape after the last coat is completely dry. Any info is appreciated. Thanks. - VP
 
T

TAZ

Guest
Basecoat dries very quickly, especially with ghost flames since it is so thin. You should be able to start pulling off all the tape about 5 minutes after you are done spraying the flames
 
L

LudicrousSpeed

New member
Yeah, as long as it isn't wet-wet, go ahead and pull the tape. If is is still wet enough to string, you are doing something else wrong anyway.
 
S

Stretch

New member
Flashing is when your paint has dried enough that it's ready for the next coat. I'm sure if you read the tech sheets for your paint it will talk about it. Seems like the typical test is to place your finger in the paint in an inconspicuous area and when you pull it away it shouldn't 'string' meaning none of the paint should pull away. If the paint pulls away with your finger and leaves 'strings' of paint then it's still 'wet'.

-Stretch
 
R

rex

New member
To add a little to Stetch's post,basecoat usually won't string like clear or singlestage paint.If you're dealing with basecoat a light finger touch will leave a print if it's wet,when it's dried long enough not to print and you can very lightly run a tackrag back over it it's flashed off.I have 2 times I pull tape talking grafix,2tones etc.Most of the time it's after it's flashed but if it's a very simple taping like a 2tone I spray the tapeline if possible for my last pass of the gun and pull the tape right after I set the gun down.This way the edge will roll over and not be so sharp but you have very little time to do it,forget it on heavy taping like flames and grafix.
 
L

LudicrousSpeed

New member
I like to call it "hand slick", meaning that I can just barely run my hand across an area and not see tracks from my fingers.

Of course, you need to do this on the edge of your masking....
 
V

victorypilot

Guest
Just wanted to say "Thanks" for all the replies. I'll pull the tape after the paint flashes. Hopefully I'll get that great edge that I'm wanting. I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks again. - VP
 
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