Bodywork masking tutorial

When it comes to car bodywork, masking materials (like masking film, for example) are essential if you want to get the job done right. Incorrectly masking certain parts of your vehicle can lead to imperfections such as paint drips or haze.

Why use bodywork masking material?

Masking material for bodywork is essential when you want to protect the parts of your car or other vehicle that are not going to be worked on. A good piece of bodywork masking film will optimise your work and give you a clean, blemish-free finish.

What are the different stages involved in masking your vehicle's parts correctly?

Step 1: To carry out Masking correctly, it's important to clean the area to be treated. We recommend using a Degreaser and a clean cleaning cloth to wipe off any excess product.

Step 2: Once you have an area to paint, you need to mask off the rest of the vehicle with an electrostatic film. This film clings directly to your bodywork once applied.

Step 3: Once the bulk of the vehicle is covered, it's important to pay attention to the small details. When you want to cover door openings or between body parts, you'll need a Masking foam tape to protect the parts that can't be covered with electrostatic film. It is important to cover all areas that are not going to be painted.

Step 4 : Once all the openings in the doors are protected, we recommend that you cut the electrostatic film to fit the exact shape of the car part being covered. Using Masking tape, fix the film properly to your vehicle to prevent it from moving. Your car or motorbike is ready to be painted!

What is masking tape?

There's a wide range of accessories available for masking. To find out more, here's a quick summary.

CAR BODY ADHESIVE TAPE

Adhesive tape is used to protect all the surfaces of your vehicle that you don't want to treat during the Sanding stage. This tape is used to separate the surface to be sanded from the other surface.

This 3M adhesive tape has excellent resistance to shearing and high temperatures. Its double brown paper protection makes it easy to cut.

MASKING MESH

Masking tape can also be used to protect the untreated surfaces of your vehicle. It is flexible and can withstand temperatures of up to 132°C.

This masking net from the 4CR range is specially adapted to the curves present on your car or motorbike. It can be used to protect the parts of your car when applying decorative paint.

BODYWORK MASKING FILM

Masking film has several uses. It is used to mask and protect large parts of your vehicle. It helps to prevent the appearance of certain imperfections such as paint splashes or drips.

This Masking film from 4CR can be exposed to temperatures of over 100°C. Thanks to its static material, this film is perfectly resistant to infrared rays. Thanks to its polyethylene composition, this Masking film can be easily applied to your vehicle.

KRAFT MASKING PAPER

Kraft masking paper is very easy to use and makes the bodybuilder's job easier. Like most other masking tools, it can be easily folded and cut to protect and mask parts of your car that you don't want to touch.

This Intercarross masking paper is ideal for covering the surfaces of your car or motorbike before applying your primer, Clearcoat or Paint. Available in 30cm, 45cm or 85cm, kraft masking paper is essential for good quality work.

MASKING TAPE FOR PAINT

Masking tape is used to attach your electrostatic film to the contours of your bodywork. This tape is very easy to cut by hand and tends to curl, making it easy to use on small contours of your car.

Tech'team tip: we recommend that you apply your Masking tape in 30 cm sections for a cleaner, neater result.

This Masking tape from the 4CR range is resistant to temperatures of up to 80°C. Thanks to its hold, this tape won't peel off once it's applied. It is also highly resistant to moisture and various chemicals.

 

Tech'team tip: We advise you not to expose the tape to the sun for too long. It may become difficult to remove.

MASKING TAPE FOR WINDSCREENS

This type of tape is used to protect and mask the trim on new windscreens and windows whose seals can also be removed.

This windscreen masking tape from 3M is ideal for your vehicle's trim. It's important to choose the right tape for the job to get the best results.

FOAM MASKING TAPE

This foam Masking tape is ideal for work on your vehicle. It's ideal for sealing doors, trunks and bonnets.

Available in 13 or 19 mm, 4CR Masking tape is essential when you want to spray paint on your car or motorbike.

REINFORCED MASKING TAPE

This type of tape is generally used to protect surfaces during sanding. This reinforced Masking tape has very good conductive properties.

Available in 50mm, this 4CR sanding cloth tape is ideal for protecting surfaces from the sun and any bad weather. What's more, this tape is water-resistant.

JOINT PROTECTION TAPE

This joint protection tape is ideal for covering areas that are difficult to access, such as window, roof, bonnet or cover joints.

This Masking tape specialises in protecting joints and is ideal for precision work. Thanks to its innovative technology, it protects and seals at the same time. Available in 75mm, this joint protection tape can be easily cut by hand, either vertically or horizontally.

SPECIAL WHEEL COVER TARPAULIN

When you want to carry out repairs on one or more of your wheel rims, it's important to prepare the area to optimise the work and ensure you get the results you want.

This special tarpaulin from 4CR is an effective way of optimising your bodywork. It allows you to apply paint to all your rims without removing the tyres.

CUTTER

The cutter is a tool that no bodybuilder can do without. They are also very useful for cutting all types of masking film.

This standard cutter from 4CR is made of plastic. Ideal for cutting film or tape, this tool is indispensable when you want to cover certain parts of your vehicle. Good cutting results in better quality work.

DOUBLE-SIDED ADHESIVE TAPE

Double-sided adhesive tape can be used to join several components made of different materials.

Which tape for bodywork paint?

If you're looking for the best double-sided references, you can't change a winning team! One example is 3M bodywork adhesive tape.