Masking New Paint

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I have a question for the painters out there. I am doing a two tone of Bahama Blue and Pearl White on my beetle and had a question about masking. After I paint the white how long should I wait to put masking tape on it to then start on the blue? I was thinking 2 days, but if I could do 1 day that would be awesome. I am a day behind because of the weather. Thanks everyone!

[thayer]

It depends on the micture of hardeners and reducers along with other variables such as; was it painted in a booth (bake booth)? Where do you live and what is the temperature etc.

I would say that 2 days should be sufficient, but if its cold outside and the paint hasnt had sufficient time to dry, I wouldnt attempt it. You can try a little trick and take your thumb nail and press into a spot on the car that will not show (under the mouldings. If you leave a mark in the paint, wait a few more days.

Thayer

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The temp. will be in the mid-60's (South Florida) when I paint. No bake booth. Just a tent type paint booth in the garage. The paint I am using is PPG Concept Urethane. 4 parts paint, 1 part hardener, and 2 parts reducer. I painted the interior and waited 5 days before masking it off to do the outside. I really only had to mask near the door jambs. I hope when I pull that tape off after painting the white I don't get any surprises. :-\

I am guessing I will just wait 2 days. What a bummer!

[thayer]

what type of tape are you using?

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The 3M blue stuff that is the most expesive on the shelf. I just figured it is expensive it must be good.

I painted the pearl white (VW color) today. I guess I should wait until Friday before taping it. I cannot wait to get this paint job finished. It feels like I spend 3-4 hours a day for weeks just sanding.

[homebrewin]

If you mixed your paint correctly and sprayed it in the proper fashion, then you can easily mask it off a day later. The problems start when you leave the tape on too long, in the sun or let it get wet.At the shop where I work, we have painted a base color and then taped off graphics using 3m fineline (the blue tape, good quality) within a hour or two after the first color has been sprayed. As long as you have done everything correctly, and are gentle with the tape when you remove it, you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck with your paint job.

[Kosmicride]

you could have just taped it after the base coat flashed off. Since you stated you are using a base clear system you can tape about 15 min after the paint flashs. If you wait a couple of days to clear coat your base you may have problems with cohesion. You may now be required to rough up the white paint since it has cured in a sense. Check with your local paint distributor.
As for waiting a few days to tape..... Whether you spray in a paint booth or not with a dual stage base clear system the only time that you have to wait prior to taping would be in the clear coat stage. By then you should be done with your paint. The Base will flash off within 15 min you should be using a fast reducer this time of the year. If you are using a cooler temp reducer like 85 or so you need to get a faster reducer or you may run into problems later on with the paint.
always use a fineline tape under your masking tape with creating edges. If you wanted a smoother line that will not leave a huge line in the paint, you can use the foam door jam *quick tape*.

[Kosmicride]

As for the fingernail in the paint... *DON'T USE YOUR FINGER IN YOUR PAINT ON THE PAINTED PANEL*.... SInce you have the car taped off with masking paper you can just press where you have over spray on the paper to determine whether it has flashed off. Besides being able to see the paint has dulled from being freshly applied in the base coat stage.,

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It's not a 2 stage. It's a single stage Urethane paint. It will be two days since I painted it so I think I am safe. I just sanded the primer and can't wait for tomorrow. The paint will be finsihed!!!!

[Kosmicride]

sorry but I personaly think that was your first problem using a single stage paint. when you say you sanded the primer, they also have a time frame for how long till you top coat it. same goes for your sealer also. Just a heads up

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PPG does not have Bahama Blue or Pearl White in anything other than a single stage. I finished the painting last Friday and it turned out great. The masking tape didn't give me any problems after waiting 2 days. Although, I lost track of where I was painting and sprayed the same area twice...HUGE RUN there.

I read the paperwork on the primer and it didn't say anything about waiting a certain period after sanding, but I didn't wait more than 12 hours after sanding with 400 to put the paint on. It seems very durable. The K36 Prima by PPG is good for properly prepared metal surfaces and putting on top of old paint that is also properly prepared. I was able to use just this one product to do it all. I was very happy with it. I'll have to post pictures when they are completed. It's my first paint job, and I think it came out pretty good.

[Kosmicride]

Good Job Craig,
keep us posted when you get some pics up.