Paint bleeding under masking tape

Treating the area depends on a few things. What type of paint are you shooting? Is it bleeding under to other paint, or bare/primered plastic?

As for avoiding bleeding in the future, a few tips I've picked up here and elsewhere:

- Spray from the taped edge, not toward it, so there's no air trying to push the paint under the tape.

- Crank down your PSI and spray in thin, light coats

- Spray some future over the tape edge. This will seal it and prevent bleed under.

I use both Tamiya and Pactra masking tape.

I use Pactra for anything serious. It will burnish down ( I use a wooden  toothpick ) and not come up.

The Tamiya is OK but you get what you pay for and the Pactra is more expensive. It also comes in sizes from 1/16" to 1/2".

Also as a common sense thing make sure the area to be masked is free of dust and any sanding residue.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice.  I'll try the Pactra tape and will use some Future to seal the edge.

Morto

You're probably applying too much paint too fast to the surface. Use light coats allowing each to partially dry before the next is applied.

Never shoot that is apply paint directly at the edge of the tape. Apply with a 90 degree angle to it or from the tape towards the surface area to be covered.

Ease your pressure, too much air will cause it to lift the tape even that which has been burnished down. Recessed and raised panel features give an avenue to allow the air and paint to seep under and pull up the tape.

The addition of Future as a sealer has its own issues, such as a ledge in the paint once you remove the tape. Just apply light thin coats slowly until you get the coverage you desire, you shouldn't have any bleed issues if you don't rush the process...take your time!

If I am going to be painting on a difficult surface like a compound curve one, I seal the edge of the tape. I do this by airbrushing the edges with the color underneath.  That is, say I am going to be painting a dark color over white. I put down the masking tape, burnish as well as possible, and then put another coat of white on, being sure to overlap onto the tape.  The white then gets into any areas that are not perfectly sealed.  Then I add the next color.

In a pinch I have used clear to seal the edge when I was out of the base color, but it is best to use the color you are covering.

Morto: To start with DO NOT USE MASKING tape that that stuff will ruin a paint job I haven't used masking tape in years. Instead go to a good auto parts store like NAPA and get you some rolls of 3M stripping tape I haven't bought any for a while,if memory serves me right its 3M #471. It's a strong vynil tape you can get it in several widths . It burnishes down excellently stays put paint solvents have no effect on it,and if put it down good IT WILL NOT BLEED . Try it you will be in for a pleasent surprise,if you have trouble finding it email me your address I will send you a sample.My email wyliecoyote09@live.com.  I hope this helps you out.   ACESES5

Morto: Sorry gave you the wrong number for the stripping tape look or ask for 3M Scotch Brand #218.  ACESES5

I appreciate all of your comments.  Thanks very much. 

ACE SE S5:  The use of the 3M Scotch Brand #218 sounds very interesting and I'm going to head to my nearest NAPA store.

Morto