Masking tape

Masking tape, also known as painter's tape, is a type of

mask off

areas that should not be painted.

Some inexpensive masking tapes are suited for general use in homes and offices. Others are designed for professional house painters. Masking tapes for automotive or aircraft use have special characteristics for these demanding applications.

History

Masking tape was created in 1925 by

autobody workers growing frustrated when they removed butcher paper

they had taped to cars they were painting. The strong adhesive on the tape peeled off some of the paint they had just applied. Touching up the damaged areas increased their costs. Drew realized the need for tape with a gentler adhesive.

Constructions

Several constructions of masking tapes have been developed. Many designed for a specific purpose.

The backing of masking tape is typically paper, although plastic films and metal foils have also been used. Most papers are creped (rather than flat) to allow the tape to stretch when applied to a curved line. Tapes can be natural paper (beige) or different colors. Paper backings are often saturated with resins to help prevent paint from seeping through the paper. Many tapes have a release coating oh the top of the tape to help the tape release from the roll.

The pressure sensitive adhesive on masking tapes need to create an effective bond to the intended surface, particularly on the edges to prevent paint from working in and causing an rough paint line. Once the paint is dry, the adhesive must also release cleanly from the surface without damaging the surface or leaving residue.

Most masking tapes are designed for temporary use, perhaps a few days, at ambient temperatures., When needed, special tapes are available for longer tern usage, higher temperatures, chemical washes, sunlight, etc,

Usage

For its original use of marking off areas where paint is not desired, a special grade of painter's masking tape is needed. With this special grade, very clean lines can be produced. Without it, the paint bleeds under the edges of the tape, producing a fuzzy or varied line.

Drafting tape looks similar to ordinary household masking tape, but has a lower tack. It is intended to hold blueprints to a drawing board or light table, and to pull off easily without damaging the drawing.

Masking tape is also used in long strips on larger glass panes in situations where the glass might be shattered, harming those in the vicinity.

Other types

When constructed with

HVOF

. Masking tape can also be used to adhere posters to walls up to the day rating. Masking tape can basically be used for any purpose required of it, and is not limited solely to painting needs.

The adhesive applied to a tape is often a critical determining factor for a given masking situation. There are three thin types of adhesives (with many chemical variations of each):

acrylic-based, and silicone

-based. Rubber-based adhesives generally provide the greatest adhesion, but the lowest temperature resistance. Acrylic-based adhesives offer a wide temperature range, providing adhesion from sub-freezing temperatures up to 275–325 °F (about 150 °C). Silicone-based adhesives provide the highest temperature resistance, with some tapes (such as some polyimide films and glass cloth tapes) allowing for intermittent use up to 500 °F (260 °C).