3M foam tape

[RayH]

I finally finished getting my jambs sprayed for doors, trunk and hood. Any opinions on using 3M foam tape to mask to protect the jambs from overspray? Forgot to mention, car is being paint with a metallic so panel paint is out ( at least for this rookie).

 

[crashtech]

We use it. It's about as good as you can do but the jamb still won't look perfect.

 

[RosharonRooster]

I suck at masking so my method would be to tape the entire jams. It's hackery but I know it won't get any overspray!

 

[dhutton01]

It works well in theory but not so great in practice in my experience. If you apply a lot of clear, as most backyard guys do, you will have a hard edge to deal with.

Don

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

In my experience backmasking using tape works a lot better than the 3M foam which has a nasty habit of coming loose, and even when it adheres it leaves a nasty edge. Backmasking using tape leaves a much cleaner edge. If you want to try it, get some good 2" tape (1 1/2 will work but 2" is easier) 3M green is what I prefer for doing this. To backmask lay half of the tape on the door jamb edge, leaving half off the panel facing the direction of where it is being painted. Then pull the 1/2 that is off the panel back over on itself. Secure with 3/4" tape every few inches. Easy and works much better than foam. Do the backmasking last, mask the jamb (or wherever using this technique) leaving about a half inch or so from the edge. Then backmask. Cheaper than foam and better than foam.

 

[crashtech]

For anyone that ever uses the foam, it's important not to stretch it when sticking it to the jamb, and to press it down firmly. Like backtaping, it takes some skill to apply it successfully. I will readily agree that if someone is going to apply 4 coats of clear, the foam is probably not designed for this. I would also say that novice-applied backtaping might present similar difficulties in a 4-coat scenario as well.

 

[chevman]

For anyone that ever uses the foam, it's important not to stretch it when sticking it to the jamb, and to press it down firmly. Like backtaping, it takes some skill to apply it successfully. I will readily agree that if someone is going to apply 4 coats of clear, the foam is probably not designed for this. I would also say that novice-applied backtaping might present similar difficulties in a 4-coat scenario as well.

Crash is right on.