Among other brands and types I use this 3M blue vinyl tape for masking during painting. I like to keep at least a roll each of 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" on hand at all times. It's great stuff in certain applications. I just picked up a roll of 1/2"x36yd today at my local NAPA store and it was $17.00. Thankfully a roll of any of these lasts me quite a while, but doe's anyone know where you can find this stuff any cheaper?

Well you really don't need 1/2". This is fine line tape. I use 1/8 for 10.00 per roll and finish mask with 3/4 masking tape.

Wayne I've been using the blue tape with 'Edge Lock' and really like it.  It's a coated paper tape and is a lot cheaper than what you are using.  It's .94 wide on the role.  For narrow stuff and cutting other stencils for names, numbers, etc., I still use Contact white self adhesive shelf paper.  Cut with a new sharp blade, peel and stick.  It won't leak and pulls up easily.  Spray lightly.  The solvent will soften the paper if real wet.  It's a little more work to cut the 1/8" or 1/4" or whatever but cost a small fraction of what you are doing.  My current paint scheme uses about  a half mile of tape to do but I'm not missing meals over the cost.

Dave

Hi Wayne,

I bought some 1/8th on ebay that ended up costing about $10 a roll.  I got three rolls.  This is a darker blue than the old stuff I have always had. 


BIG Bear

 I've noticed that too Bill. The last couple of packages that I've bought are a darker blue now as well. Also, it comes in a carded shrink wrap package where it used to just be in a sealed bag. It's the same item number and description as always, and they say it's the same product, but it doesn't seem quite as pliable as the lighter blue stuff was. I suppose the bean counters stuck their noses into the mix and figured they could save a cent or two. Maybe it's just me, but I still have a little of the lighter blue stuff and I do like it better. I hate it when companies can't just leave a good product alone.

Have you ever used plain old electrician's tape? I have.

 That's funny, years ago I did actually use black electrical tape quite often and it worked well in many cases. At some point though I started running into batches of it where the adhesive would leave greasy residue and/or sometimes even a blackish goo. After running into that enough times I just quit using it.

I painted a lot of rats.  Most of 'em crashed before they had a chance to maybe get cancer.