Guys,

I've been using the 3M blue vinyl tape for years with good results.  I finally used up my supply and before I buy more, I was thinking of trying the green tape.  I've done a lot of searching (even talked to my auto paint expert and searched the 3M web site) and can not find any info to tell me the difference between the blue and the green.  I used the green once, years ago, but can't recall my impressions of it versus the blue.  Can some of you paint pros give me some info?  I use mostly Dupli-Color and Nelson's, not dope.  Thanks in advance.

Paul

Thanks Pete,

I have always had to press down the blue tape with a piece of balsa to get good adhesion along the paint line.  This is exactly what I am hoping to avoid.  I'll give the green a try.  I can always go back to blue, but I'm always in quest of a better product during my finishing stages.  Which has led to some major messes in years gone by.  Thanks again.

Paul

I like Finesse Pinstripe stuff. Very thin and lays down pretty easily. But it isn't real flexible so it's not that great around tight corners. I use the Finesse stuff for most taping, the 3M blue vinyl stuff for really tight corners (or cut the corner from adhesive vinyl depending on the situation) and 3M green stuff for overlapping stuff.

For mask I use either the local Lowe's paint mask (treated paper roll) or lately I've been using some clear vinyl mask stuff that's pretty cool. I've also been experimenting with some very light adhesive clear paint mask that you can cut on the surface (if you are very careful) and lays down well.

To try and be a bit more specific.  3M makes all kinds of tape for our use.  Blue tape isn't quite good enough a discription.  3M makes a blue tape that is sometimes referred to apainters tape.  You can find it at Lowes or Home Depot.  Fine for painting your living room but not for models.  Problem is that the solvents in our normal paints cause major bleed under the edge.  What you want is 3M Fine Line tape which is available in widths from 1/16" up to about an inch.  The blue tape is really good for go ing around corners with the narrow widths capable of going around a pretty tight radius.  The light green version is better for straight line work as it is not as flexable as the blue.  These tapes are available at auto parts and body shop supply outlets.  Discount internet sources are a good place to get these products.  Try Googleing "Airbrush Depot" as they carry a lot of 3M products.  For a straight masking tape to cover larger areas that you don't want painted I often use cheap paper towels taped on with 3M 2727 tape.  This stuff can be pretty sticky so you don'twant to leave it on for very long.  I expose just a very small edge of the tape to actually attach it to the Fine Line tape which outlines the area to be painted.  I also like the Finesse tape as it is thinner than the 3M and leaves a thinner edge.  It is also better for straight line work as it isn't as flexible as Fine Line blue.  With all tape the edges should always be sealed with a fine spray of clear from an airblush prior to applying color.
Alan Resinger

Thanks guys for all the comments.  Alan, I was referring to the fine line tape, which I didn't make very clear.  I've been painting for a very long time and just haven"t tried the green fine line so I was wondering if I was missing something.  There are so many great painters out there and I appreciate your inputs.  I use Randy's technique for turning tight corners except I use contact shelf paper.  I only remove 1/4" of the backing along the paint line so not too much surface area is stuck to the base paint.  I've also used electrical tape as a stencil to cut very small radius corners.  Works great.

Thanks again,
Paul