taping over welds, etc.

[big stinkie]

Having a little trouble when taping over a weld or over the lip of a gas inlet. Many times I get some bleed through under the tape at those spots. I squish, press, fold, spindle and mutilate the tape to try to make a decent seal, but there is always one or two that make a mess.

It's hard to use Scott's method of cleaning up a rough edge in this case because the surrace is irregular. Anyone have a tip or trick to ensure a tight seal on this kind of surface? Or is it simply a matter of being more careful?

This last time was a tank with the gas inlet more or less flush with the sheet metal with the raised lip and the weld that went around it. Rest of the paint job was great, but had some blow-by under the tape at the lip. I can fixt it, but I'd rather not have to bother the next time.

Thanks in advance,

Andy

02 Custom Hardtail
87 Chev Surburban
90 Deutsch-Allis Garden Tractor

 

[flamethrower]

What kind of tape are you using? I use the green 233+ 3m and have never had a problem. If you use the blue fine line plastic tape make sure you stretch it out before you lay it on. Otherwise the elasticity of the tape will cause it to pull away from turns or over welds and the like.

 

[big stinkie]

Oops. Forgot to mention the type of tape. I use 3M 1/8 paper tape. Never used the plastic stuff other than the 1/16 inch stuff for pinstripes. Maybe I'll try the plasic stuff next time. Never thought about that.

 

[rex]

Blue 3M 1/8 or 1/4" fineline works great.The green 233 masking tape is nice also.It doesn't leave quite the crisp line fineline does but it's really close and it is thinner so oyu don't get the edge buildup fineline leaves.