How To Mask Your Vehicle Before Painting

You will need:

1. 2 or 3 rolls 18mm masking tape

2. Newspaper (full size sheets)

3. Magazine (average size)

4. Safety razor blade

Masking windows

Lay out on a flat surface, eight full size sheets of newspaper stacked on top of each other. Now pull out the bottom sheet about 25mm and run a complete strip of 18mm masking tape along the edge about 6mm on to the paper. Pull out the second to bottom sheet about 50mm, over the top of the first, and do the same. Carry on until all sheets are taped, overlapping each sheet about 25mm more each time.

Before applying the sheets to the windows, run a strip of masking tape around the edges of the glass or window rubbers. Pay careful attention to ensure that the tape is not touching the paint work, or showing part of a window rubber, or chrome molding. Press down the outside edges firmly as you go.

When this is completed, peel off the top sheet of the previously taped newspaper, and stick the taped edge on to the tape applied earlier to the window, positioning the sheet to cover as much area as possible.

Now fold the overlapping edges inward so as not to trap dust, and tape the remaining edges onto the tape that surrounds the window. Try and use long strips of tape rather than short pieces. A long piece stretched tight will maintain a straight line.

Side windows can usually be covered with one sheet, and front and rear screens two. Very deep screens may require four sheets.

Always tape joins in the sheets completely to prevent over spray getting through or the paper billowing up whilst spraying.

The razor blade can be used to trim any large excess of paper from an awkward shape before taping.

Masking moldings

Chrome moldings, door handles, small lights, etc. are best covered entirely by tape. Headlights, rear lights, and larger items, are more quickly covered by using the same technique as for windows, but by using the smaller pages of a magazine. Use the razor blade to trim excess tape from any narrow moldings.

Bumpers and grilles

These are plain awkward, and are best tackled as for windows, but before taping, fold sheets length ways to provide a narrow, more easily handled shape. Don't be too fussy about being neat under the bumper edges. These areas normally remain clear of heavy over spray.

Do a thorough recheck of all masking when finished, particularly the edges.

Wheels

It is desirable to cover the wheels completely, particularly if they are not to be painted. If they are to be painted, they may be left uncovered as tyre paint will cover over spray on tyres.

Old shirts make ideal wheel covers. Sacks or old sheets can also be adapted.

Interior

If the exterior only is to be painted, mask any door rubbers that may be visible through the gaps around the closed doors.

If the door-shuts are to be painted, the doors opened during spraying, or the door rubbers have been removed, it will be necessary to cover the seats and dashboard. Old sheets or rugs are ideal for the seats, whilst newspaper taped to the inside or the windscreen and hanging down over the dash, normally protects this area. Make sure that the edges of the dash are well protected. Dash panels are very difficult to clean of overs pray.