Dr_Pain
Certified Finest Installer
Here are the two contenders going head to head today (with a mention of painter's tape)
In the right corner: The "veteran", the 3M Scotch 233+ Premium Automotive Masking Tape
In the left corner: The "new comer", the CarPro Automotive Masking Tape
The "wannabe" (available at your local box store, and worth a mention) is:
The "Blue" 3M Safe Release Delicate Painter's tape (Model #: 2080)
[*]The roll: 0.94 in. x 180 foot)
[*]Adhesion to steel: no data provided
[*]Tensile: no data provided.
[*]Tape thickness: no data provided
[*]Temp range: not rated for heat exposure
[*]Color: Blue
[*]The Cost: $5.88 (or $0.0326/foot)
[/LIST]
As detailers, we use tape for a variety of reason which range from protecting adjacent surfaces and body lines, to covering gaps when working to ease in the cleanup. This review is not meant to be an exhaustive review of the function and utilitarian nature of tape in detailing, but meant to compare and contrast the products we use, and the reason why we use them. It is not uncommon that you see a beginner detailer resorting to using what is readily available (items that can be purchased locally), and never changing their habit as they become professional. It goes without saying that certain preconceptions and misconceptions drive our choices BUT sometimes we fool ourselves in thinking that our rationals are well founded. The most common preconception is the one about "saving money". We often feel that purchasing a "task specific" product will cost more!?! As you can see above (price per foot), it is not always the case. Even if the automotive tape was more expensive, you have to factor ALL variables before making a final decision. Here are a few factors you may want to consider in selecting your masking tape (for detailing purpose):
Material: The material and its thickness may not matter much when masking a wall to paint, but it definitely makes a difference if you were to abrade it (using a polisher or wet sanding). The painter's tape is not designed for this type of abuse. Also, the tape (or its adhesive) does not have the same resistance to the heat generate by the polisher, or the IR lamp we may use to speed cure a freshly coated surface. It is obvious that a thick vinyl tape will survive much better than a thin "wannabe". So the question is: "Are you really saving any money if a mishap happens while using the "cheaper" alternative??"
Adhesive: This subject goes hand in hand with the above. Can the adhesive survive the type exposure we put it through?? One of my biggest complaint in using the painter's tape is adhesive residue left behind. This type of tape may come off clean on a rough surface like a painted molding but it is my experience that painter's tape will ALWAYS leave a residue if left long enough on a freshly compounding panel or on rubber trim, especially if any pressure is put on it (in application or through our processes). Don't get me wrong, this adhesive residue can easily be removed but "Are you saving time or money in adding more clean-up steps to your operation?"
Widths[:/B] Many sizes exist for many reason, but I have yet to see 1/4" or 1/5" or even 3/4" widths in painter's tape. In my experience the most useful and versatile tape (in detailing) is the 1/2" and 3/4", ,and if you do a lot of wet sanding, it is imperative that you get some 1/4" to cover the body lines.
As you can see above, I make a pretty compelling argument against using painter's tape in detailing, HOWEVER I will concede that in a pinch it will work just fine. So having said that, how do the "task specific" tape compare??
My first impression was that both were similar enough (in handling) that I would not have known the difference. Thickness, texture etc... were essentially the same, with teh exception that the CarPro tape is a little skinnier. I did find that the CarPro tape unrolled much easier, which lead me to think that it would adhere less firmly than the 3M (which did offer a little more unrolling resistance). As a little experiment, I started with a fresh roll (of both types of tape), taped the bed cap of the truck I was working on (equal lengths), applied equal pressure on both sections.... and left it alone. I then unrolled a fair length of the tape and applied it very gently to the side of the bed (making sure I had the same "very light" pressure on a section about 6" long). To my surprise, the CarPro section held firm, whereas the 3M did not seem to fair as well (coming away from the paint). This did surprise me a bit because the CarPro tape was unrolling as if the adhesive did not like the tape it was in contact with. I guess the company that makes it knows how to put that tape on the roll
To be fair, with firm pressure both adhered and performed the same.
The second test I did was around the B-pillar to see how well the tape would conform and rip. I did one side with the CarPro tape and the other with the 3M. Both performed exactly the same.
I did test its ability to conform to its substrate and its ability to go around tight corners and found that both the CarPro automotive tape and the 3M automotive tape performed exactly the same. The next test I performed was its resiliency to the occasional "kissing" of the polisher (which the painter's tape definitely does not like), and both automotive tape performed flawlessly!!
I then removed the tape from the bedcap and looked for residue, and neither left any signs of adhesive, even in the section where the polisher "kissed" and heated (friction). Normally this would be a killer for the painter's tape, but neither of the automotive tape flinched.
Conclusion: My product comparison did not produce a clear winner in terms of product quality, use and function between both automotive tape, but both exceeded the painter's tape for obvious reason. The overall winner for me is the CarPro automotive tape for the simple fact that it 1) unroll easier, 2) adhere slightly better on initial contact (with firm pressure both performed the same), and 3) is a clearly more economical product when comparing price/foot (56% cheaper by all account, between both automotive tape). What came as a surprise to me is that CarPro's automotive tape came to be cheaper than the "go-to" painter's tape most beginner claim to use because they think they save money. As the saying goes, use the product designed for the task.... and trust me when I tell you that you have no excuses left.
LINK TO: 1"(24mm) Masking tape
LINK TO: 1/2"(15mm) Masking tape
In the right corner: The "veteran", the 3M Scotch 233+ Premium Automotive Masking Tape
- The roll: 18mm x 32m (or 0.71 in. x 105 foot)
- Adhesion to steel: 38oz./in.width.
- Tensile: 25lbs/in.
- Tape thickness: 6.7 mils.
- Temp range: 250F(121C) for 30 minutes.
- Color: Light Green
- The Cost: $4.99 (or $0.0475/foot)
- Available in: 18 mm, 36 mm, 48mm
In the left corner: The "new comer", the CarPro Automotive Masking Tape
- The roll: 15mm x 40m (or 0.59 in. x 131 foot)
- Adhesion to steel: no data provided
- Tensile: no data provided.
- Tape thickness: no data provided
- Temp range: 250F(121C) for "short term exposure"
- Color: Red
- The Cost: $3.49 (or $0.0267/foot)
- Available in: 15mm and 24mm
The "wannabe" (available at your local box store, and worth a mention) is:
The "Blue" 3M Safe Release Delicate Painter's tape (Model #: 2080)
[*]The roll: 0.94 in. x 180 foot)
[*]Adhesion to steel: no data provided
[*]Tensile: no data provided.
[*]Tape thickness: no data provided
[*]Temp range: not rated for heat exposure
[*]Color: Blue
[*]The Cost: $5.88 (or $0.0326/foot)
[/LIST]
As detailers, we use tape for a variety of reason which range from protecting adjacent surfaces and body lines, to covering gaps when working to ease in the cleanup. This review is not meant to be an exhaustive review of the function and utilitarian nature of tape in detailing, but meant to compare and contrast the products we use, and the reason why we use them. It is not uncommon that you see a beginner detailer resorting to using what is readily available (items that can be purchased locally), and never changing their habit as they become professional. It goes without saying that certain preconceptions and misconceptions drive our choices BUT sometimes we fool ourselves in thinking that our rationals are well founded. The most common preconception is the one about "saving money". We often feel that purchasing a "task specific" product will cost more!?! As you can see above (price per foot), it is not always the case. Even if the automotive tape was more expensive, you have to factor ALL variables before making a final decision. Here are a few factors you may want to consider in selecting your masking tape (for detailing purpose):
Material: The material and its thickness may not matter much when masking a wall to paint, but it definitely makes a difference if you were to abrade it (using a polisher or wet sanding). The painter's tape is not designed for this type of abuse. Also, the tape (or its adhesive) does not have the same resistance to the heat generate by the polisher, or the IR lamp we may use to speed cure a freshly coated surface. It is obvious that a thick vinyl tape will survive much better than a thin "wannabe". So the question is: "Are you really saving any money if a mishap happens while using the "cheaper" alternative??"
Adhesive: This subject goes hand in hand with the above. Can the adhesive survive the type exposure we put it through?? One of my biggest complaint in using the painter's tape is adhesive residue left behind. This type of tape may come off clean on a rough surface like a painted molding but it is my experience that painter's tape will ALWAYS leave a residue if left long enough on a freshly compounding panel or on rubber trim, especially if any pressure is put on it (in application or through our processes). Don't get me wrong, this adhesive residue can easily be removed but "Are you saving time or money in adding more clean-up steps to your operation?"
Widths[:/B] Many sizes exist for many reason, but I have yet to see 1/4" or 1/5" or even 3/4" widths in painter's tape. In my experience the most useful and versatile tape (in detailing) is the 1/2" and 3/4", ,and if you do a lot of wet sanding, it is imperative that you get some 1/4" to cover the body lines.
As you can see above, I make a pretty compelling argument against using painter's tape in detailing, HOWEVER I will concede that in a pinch it will work just fine. So having said that, how do the "task specific" tape compare??
My first impression was that both were similar enough (in handling) that I would not have known the difference. Thickness, texture etc... were essentially the same, with teh exception that the CarPro tape is a little skinnier. I did find that the CarPro tape unrolled much easier, which lead me to think that it would adhere less firmly than the 3M (which did offer a little more unrolling resistance). As a little experiment, I started with a fresh roll (of both types of tape), taped the bed cap of the truck I was working on (equal lengths), applied equal pressure on both sections.... and left it alone. I then unrolled a fair length of the tape and applied it very gently to the side of the bed (making sure I had the same "very light" pressure on a section about 6" long). To my surprise, the CarPro section held firm, whereas the 3M did not seem to fair as well (coming away from the paint). This did surprise me a bit because the CarPro tape was unrolling as if the adhesive did not like the tape it was in contact with. I guess the company that makes it knows how to put that tape on the roll
To be fair, with firm pressure both adhered and performed the same.The second test I did was around the B-pillar to see how well the tape would conform and rip. I did one side with the CarPro tape and the other with the 3M. Both performed exactly the same.
I did test its ability to conform to its substrate and its ability to go around tight corners and found that both the CarPro automotive tape and the 3M automotive tape performed exactly the same. The next test I performed was its resiliency to the occasional "kissing" of the polisher (which the painter's tape definitely does not like), and both automotive tape performed flawlessly!!
I then removed the tape from the bedcap and looked for residue, and neither left any signs of adhesive, even in the section where the polisher "kissed" and heated (friction). Normally this would be a killer for the painter's tape, but neither of the automotive tape flinched.
Conclusion: My product comparison did not produce a clear winner in terms of product quality, use and function between both automotive tape, but both exceeded the painter's tape for obvious reason. The overall winner for me is the CarPro automotive tape for the simple fact that it 1) unroll easier, 2) adhere slightly better on initial contact (with firm pressure both performed the same), and 3) is a clearly more economical product when comparing price/foot (56% cheaper by all account, between both automotive tape). What came as a surprise to me is that CarPro's automotive tape came to be cheaper than the "go-to" painter's tape most beginner claim to use because they think they save money. As the saying goes, use the product designed for the task.... and trust me when I tell you that you have no excuses left.
CarPro Automotive Masking tape for the WIN!!
LINK TO: 1"(24mm) Masking tape
LINK TO: 1/2"(15mm) Masking tape
