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I have tried low tack blue painters tape and the 3M green tape for taping off bridge areas so I can route off the finish. Both of those left impressions in the finish, it's an oil varnish. Any suggestions? Clinton

I would probably throw up I would be so nervous having a router go anywhere near a finished guitar. I tape off before finish and use regular blue painters tape, which works fine. I've never had any tear outs or any issues. Sorry, can't help you about the tape on top of the finish. Seems like low tack blue painters would work fine. Anyways, seems like any impressions left by the tape on the finish could be buffed out, or if needed, lightly sanded with high grit, then buffed out.

Tape the area the bridge is supposed to go before finishing, but make that taped area smaller than the bridge footprint to allow minor corrections and stuff. Then when you remove the tape after finishing you can simply scrape off the leftover finish.

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I don't think I'm doing a good job explaining my issue. Instead of removing the finish under the bridge with a chisel I'm routing off the finish. but I want to tape around the bridge as a guide. Both tapes I mentioned left impressions in my oil varnish finish, I was wondering if anyone has success with another type of tape. Clinton

Try low tack drafting tape from an office supply store. You can also put the tape on your pants a couple of times to ease the tack.
I like the router method and have used it for along time.

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Clinton, you'll need to decide whether the tape is leaving a mechanical impression due to the weight of the router on top of the tape or a chemical impression because of the adhesive on the tape reacting with the finish. If it's a mechanical impression, you'll need to let the finish harden more (takes forever with an oil finish) or find a different approach. If it's a chemical impression, some of the auto finish suppliers have "special" tapes that don't react with auto-type finishes, but I don't know of anything formulated not to react with oil finishes. As chemical reactions take time, speed is of the essence and I usually get around the problem that way (i.e. don't leave the tape on for very long). So I'm suspecting that you may have more of a mechanical, embossing problem.

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I tried the "taping the pants first" method but still left an impression. Never gave the mechanical impression a thought. I try to use a consistent down pressure so I remove the same amount. Maybe I'll ease up. Thanks for the replies. Clinton