Sorry for not answering sooner, but the answer depends on what type of paint you're using but the simple answer is as soon as it's dry to the touch (abuot 15 minutes for lacquers/acrylics and 30-45 minutes for enamels ). Take a new/sharp xacto blade and lightly score the edge of the tape, this will help keep the paint from lifting when you remove the tape. Remove the tape by lifting it perpendicular or at an angle to the tape line. Then set it aside to fully cure. The reason I said dry to the touch instead of fully cured is that the paint will form a hard edge that is noticeable under a decal if allowed to cure with the tape in place. If you remove the tape when it's dry to the touch it will still produce a sharp line, but the paint will settle slightly making a softer edge that won't be noticeable under a decal.