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Can someone tell me which masking tape is best to use over nitro. I have to do some repairs and need to mask some areas. I know some tapes will burn into the lacquer. I was thinking that 3M 2060 would be a good choice.

Thanks.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

I had a bad experience with 3M blue masking tape. It imprinted on a lacquer finish that was a couple of months old. The tape was on the guitar overnight. The imprint looked very deep, but I was able to sand and buff it out.

Now, I use cheap white masking tape and take it off as soon as I can.

3M makes a green painters tape that has a nice release. It is not quite as sticky as the blue, but holds just fine once laid down. It worked great on raw spruce and did not pull up any fibers on release, but held well enough in a stack of tape to glue a bridge down. I have only been able to find it at paint stores. The Borg around here only carries that "Frog" green tape, and that stuff is $11 per roll. This stuff is much cheaper. I think I paid about $2.50 - 3.00 for a roll at a Porter Paint Store. I was in there last week, looking for Seal Coat, and he said he'd order some, that he gets requests from time to time for shellac. He now plans to keep a few gallons in stock. He'll get my business, small as it is.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

There is more than one Scotch blue masking tape, which causes a lot of confusion and grief. The most common one in hardware and paint stores is 2090. Unfortunately, this is the one that leaves a bunch of residue, and imprints into a nitro finish, seemingly in just a few minutes.

Get the 2080. Much, much better. You can see the difference right away in the tape--it's way smoother. It's also designed for longer masking. You may need to look around a bit for it. It can still imprint a bit, so don't leave it on any longer than necessary. I often dull the tack a bit by first sticking it to my shirt.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Thanks All!!

I have to respray the neck to fingerboard transition on a guitar and will have to leave it masked for a few days. I think I'll go with the 2060 but will knock the tack down. I've had good results with the blue multi-surface tape but have only used it on raw wood or nitro for an hour or two.

Thanks again. I appreciate the help.!

_________________
Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com