B & Q blue masking tape

Gin

Gin

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Re previous recommendations for this 'superior' product.

I applied it , painted on three coats of anti-foul over two days and then removed the tape.

Plus point- It came off without tearing and leaving any tape behind.

Minus point- contrary to expectations it left pellets of very hard to remove sticky residue which would only be shifted with copious amounts of meths., elbow grease and constant washing with fresh water in case the alcohol was detrimental to the gelcoat.

Was I unlucky?

I am tempted next year to try electricians insulating tape as it forms a nice hard line and is of limited stickability!!

Any thoughts?
 
The Blue Masking Tape worth using is the 3M stuff. I havn't tried the B&Q product but usually its cheap for a reason. The trouble, with B&Q, is that often it isn't so cheap.

Martin
 
You\'ll be sorry!

..if you use insulating tape, as the solvent in the AF will melt the adhesive on the tape and probably the tape itself. Then you'll have a gooey mess that will need a solvent which will melt your AF to remove.

I have used the B&Q blue tape but found it thinner than 3M's and therefore more prone to tearing.

You do need to clean and polish the topsides where the masking tape is going to be applied to ensure that it comes off cleanly.

Incidentally, alcohol won't harm your gelcoat. Even Acetone which is used to remove polyester resin from tools & hands BEFORE it has cured has little effect on stabilised gelcoat - but don't use this either as it may still damage the surface and send it dull. You'll find that car polish is very effective at removing masking tape adhesive from gelcoat.

Steve Cronin
 
Gin - I used the same stuff and it was cr*p with quite a bit of bleeding under the tape and a difficult edge to get straight. So I tried some of the Aldi cheepo weekly offer masking tape and it worked the best of any tape I've ever used. Probably for no better reason than that it was fresh

So you dont necessarily get what you pay for. Not from B&Q anyway.

Werent B&Q bought by one of these rip off private equity outfits - you know "cut costs, fire staff, raise prices and sell off at a silly price to the fund managers who were daft enough to sell to you in the first place".
 
Masking tape isn't designed to be left on between coats, whoever makes it. That said there is some VERY expensive two day tape available from Decorator's merchants I hear.
 
Thanks guys, lessons to be learned here,for me.

No insulating tape, for one, and clean/polish topsides first- I did it in the reverse order, so I suppose plenty of grip offered to tape.

I will certainly look at Aldi and the Fine line stuff and do a test on my grp dinghy before deciding what to use next time.

The B & Q stuff, I too got some bleeding and it was difficult to make it follow the waterline so I want to avoid these two features next time as well.

As to removing the tape between each coat, I understand the objective but I don't believe I will have the resolve to do it as I find applying the tape a tiresome business- foolish perhaps but that's me.

Anyway thanks very much to all who contributed- all good stuff- Oh! thanks also for the reassurance about my use of alcohol for cleaning
 
All the new 3M blue Scotch masking tapes should say on the packet exactly how long they are designed to be left on for. eg. 2 days, 14 days, 60 days etc. These tapes will be easily removeable (i.e. the tape should come off in one go) without leaving any residue if you remove them within the specified time period.
 
There are special long use masking tapes available, some up to 14 days but they are expensive. We found some 7 day Duck brand masking tape (also blue) in In Excess in Poole for just 50p/roll and it worked fine over 3 days. In our case with a deep draught and high waterline masking is a move the step ladder 50 times job and to be avoided more than necessary!
 
Think laterally - Masking tape is expensive and generally high tack

I've used plain ordinary off-the-shelf electricians low-tack 1/2" tape for the past 8 years and it's good for at least 2 weeks if not more before it gets peeled off. It needs to be pressed home with a dinky roller* [available from art shops] to prevent undertack bleed.

*Notes: If you cant' get a solid roller then press home the leading edge with either your thumbnail [gets hot] or a stiff plastic round edged card.
 
Re: Think laterally - Masking tape is expensive and generally high tack

As a gainsayer, I used the B&Q blue 28 day stuff on GL and was very happy with it. Much easier to apply as well...
 
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