Official Luthiers Forum!

So I would like to know if you guys leave the tape on until all clear coats are shot or do you pull the tape after a certain number of spray sessions? Reason I ask is because I have been getting some tearing of the clear when I pull the tape. I haven't tried leaving the tape on until the very end of the finishing process though - I have been pulling it after each days worth of spraying.

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Barron Wesley Guitars

I carefully scribe through the topcoats with a #7 exacto prior to removing the tape after the final coat has bee applied and dried for 24 hours

Wow - how do you keep it straight?

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Barron Wesley Guitars

It would be helpful to know what you are masking. Fretboard? I leave the tape on until lacquer is 30 days old and all sanding and buffing is completed. But if you are talking about tape on top of a finished area, don't leave it on any longer than necessary.

I am the same school as Barry . I let the tape down until I am ready to set the neck and bridge.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I have gotten tear when pulling masking tape off of the binding and fretboard. If you don't pull until all sanding is done, then wont you still have some more to sand once you pull it? A fine line maybe?

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Barron Wesley Guitars

First ther is not a straight line on my bridge shape , second it is not hard at all to control exactly to the edge of the tape i thought you were refering to the bridge area

As for the freat board are I have never had an issue there also my finish goes about a 1/16 to the side under my fretboard

What kind of tape are you using?

Mike

Filippo,

Thanks for the tip on green tape. I will try that. I normally use blue painters tape and have had no problems. But if I could get something less tacky, I would use it. Your pointers are spot on. However, would not the use of Naptha depend on the finish?

Mike

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I guess if you're on a serious budget (or you just want to use it) then using regular masking tape and reducing the tack using a t-shirt or whatever is certainly fine. But the 3M green tape is good stuff and a roll will easily get you through a guitar. It seems to me that it releases better after time where the regular masking tape tends to dry out and weld itself to stuff. The green tape has good stretch too and can be used for joining plates and doing binding. Just not that expensive IMO.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Sooooo, I googles 3M Green Tape and lo and behold, there are MANY types.

What is the correct version Filippo?

Mike

I have the 3m green tape and it's stickier than the blue for sure.

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Barron Wesley Guitars