Masking Tape

Masking Tape

The creation of masking tape came about because of the need for gentler adhesive tape in auto-body work. Richard Drew, working at 3M in 1925, observed car-body technicians’ frustration: when removing their block-off area tape, some of the new paint job came with it. Thus, the masking tape idea sprouted in inventor Drew’s mind.

He included two key characteristics: easily torn backing and detachable pressure sensitive adhesive that does not do damage nor leave residue. The backing material is usually paper, but polymer or polyimide films, polyester, glass cloth, foil, vinyl and layered materials laminated together can be utilized for industrial applications when masking off an area is necessary, such as in etching, plating, powder coating, soldering, sandblasting, or flame/thermal spray techniques.

The function of the masking tape determines the type of adhesive necessary: rubber-based, acrylic-based or silicone-based. Rubber has the greatest hold, but the lowest temperature resistance. Acrylic has a wide temperature range, from sub-freezing to 325 degrees F; silicone has the greatest temperature resistance, up 500 degrees F.

The main use of the tape is to “mask” off certain areas in painting, providing clean lines, and other situations. A masking type’s adhesive strength is based on a 1 to 100 scale; painting tapes are usually in the 50 range. House painters’ tape is specially rated for how long it can be left up without leaving a residue, being available in 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60-day varieties, with 7 and 14 the most used. Blue or purple are common colors for painters’ masking tape; the tan household masking tape has the weakest paper and lowest grade adhesive. Drafting tape looks similar to masking tape; it temporarily holds blueprints to a drawing surface without tearing them upon removal.