Minimum time between spraying base coat and taping for stripes

Sugar Elf Creations

Sugar Elf Creations

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I'm spraying SPI black base coat and will be using Euro Clear 2020 for the clear.

After I spray the black basecoat what is the minimum time I need to wait until I lay down the tape for racing stripes? They will be on the side of the car near the bottom, think mustang side stripes on the lower part of the doors, fenders, and quarter panels. After I spray the stripes I will clear over everything. I'd like to tape the same day, but most of the threads I've read have mentioned waiting overnight before taping and spraying the second color.

I'm using the 3M blue 471+ fine line tape and green 203+ masking tape for the stripes.

I'm trying to get the paint on the car before I go out of town and the weather is starting to turn (Michigan) and soon I won't be able to spray at all. I really need to insulate the garage but alas this is my situation...
 

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There is no set minimum time. Reducer speed, temperature, humidity flash times between coats, and how heavy you sprayed the basecoat will all affect the dry times. Black flashes off the slowest of any color.

Assuming you waited 15-20 minutes between coats of black basecoat, and didn't pound on each coat I would wait at least an hour; two hours at 70 degrees should be safe.

Put a piece of tape on the masked area that has basecoat on it, and peel it off. Does it leave any tape tracking or imprints on the basecoat? If so, let it dry longer.

It's a good idea to try it on the masked area first to be safe.
 
When I was doing collision I found that in a booth environment 45 minutes from the last coat of base (first color) was the minimum safe time. Like Jim said that time is dependent on a number of things. A safe minimum time would be two hours. Provided you applied your first base color in no more than medium coats, gave each coat at least 15 minutes of flash time. Like Jim said test with some tape on the adjacent masking paper. And this is very important, once you tape you need to then apply the second color and remove the tape/mask as soon as you finish with the second color. Don't let the tape sit on there any longer than absolutely neccesary. You never want to finish with the second color, clean your gun and call it a day, Then come back and remove the mask the next day. You can have issues doing that. Main issue is tape imprinting on the base, you can also pull off the base because the tape has sat there and any solvents left softened the base back up under the tape. So get your tape on and off. Most things you should be able to do it in just a few hours. Try to shoot for that.
 
Great, thank you for the advice! The car is already black so only need a couple light coats. I’ll wait the recommended flash times and give it couple hours, tape, spray second color, flash, and remove the tape as soon as possible.
 
You could shoot a piece of scrap metal at the same time, leave it in the area, then try taping on it first to see if it's leaving an imprint. Typically we will heat lamp areas to be taped for at least an hour just to be safe, it's no fun to mess up something like that.
 
Good
crashtech said:
You could shoot a piece of scrap metal at the same time, leave it in the area, then try taping on it first to see if it's leaving an imprint. Typically we will heat lamp areas to be taped for at least an hour just to be safe, it's no fun to mess up something like that.
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Good idea. I sprayed a piece and tested it before striping. Worked out well.
 
Jimthecarguy said:
There is no set minimum time. Reducer speed, temperature, humidity flash times between coats, and how heavy you sprayed the basecoat will all affect the dry times. Black flashes off the slowest of any color.

Assuming you waited 15-20 minutes between coats of black basecoat, and didn't pound on each coat I would wait at least an hour; two hours at 70 degrees should be safe.

Put a piece of tape on the masked area that has basecoat on it, and peel it off. Does it leave any tape tracking or imprints on the basecoat? If so, let it dry longer.

It's a good idea to try it on the masked area first to be safe.
Click to expand...

That's a Pro tip right there I'll be storing in my memory bank.
 
Two hours is what I use. I put a piece of tape on my spray out card and make sure it’s good. Once you get the tape on there you really need to get it off on the same day. Sounds like you’re well on your way.

If you have to do taping, it’s a long day in the booth.
 
Lizer said:
Two hours is what I use. I put a piece of tape on my spray out card and make sure it’s good. Once you get the tape on there you really need to get it off on the same day. Sounds like you’re well on your way.

If you have to do taping, it’s a long day in the booth.
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Yeah, took me hours of taping last night. Spraying was the simple part haha!

Using a piece of metal as a tape tester before placing it on the car worked out well.
 
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