Masking

Abstract

A method for masking a gap between a closure panel member and a surround, such, for example, as an automobile door arrangement, in which a mask protrudes from the gap and overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge, and masking tapes used in carrying out the method. The masking can be effected by introducing a resiliently deformable elongate strip mask into the gap so as to compress it to be pinched in the gap to protrude therefrom and, after painting, to remove the strip from the gap prior to overpainting. The mask may be introduced with the closure member closed, and needs no adhesive to hold it to the door or surround.

1 . A method for masking a gap between a closure panel member and a surround, in which a mask protrudes from the gap and overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge. 
     
     
         2 . A method for masking a gap between a closure member and a surround by introducing a resiliently deformable elongate strip mask into the gap so as to compress it to be pinched in the gap to protrude therefrom and, after painting, to remove the strip from the gap prior to overpainting. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which the mask is introduced with the closure member closed. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which the strip is be held in the gap solely by the pinching effect and without the use of adhesive, 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which the mask overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which the tape is a foam tape. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2 , in which the tape comprises a superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         8 . Masking tape adapted to mask a gap between a closure member and a surround comprising a part of the tape adapted to protrude from the gap and overlie the panel edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge. 
     
     
         9 . Masking tape according to  claim 8 , adapted to mask a particular gap, which tape is resiliently deformable and wider than the gap so that it compresses on introduction to the gap to be pinched therein for retention. 
     
     
         10 . Masking tape according to  claim 8 , in which the strip has no adhesive stripe, and is adapted to be held in the gap solely by the pinching effect. 
     
     
         11 . Masking tape according to  claim 8 , having a cross section comprising two circles joint by a web. 
     
     
         12 . Masking tape according to  claim 11 , in which the circles are of different sizes. 
     
     
         13 . Masking tape according to  claim 12 , in which one circle has a diameter twice that of the other. 
     
     
         14 . Masking tape according to  claim 11 , in which the smaller section is larger than the gap, in order to help retain the mask in place in the gap. 
     
     
         15 . Masking tape according to  claim 11 , in which the larger diameter section is not a full circle. 
     
     
         16 . Masking tape according to  claim 15 , in which the larger diameter section is semicircular. 
     
     
         17 . Masking tape according to  claim 15 , in which the Larger diameter section is a hollowed out or grooved section. 
     
     
         18 . Masking with a tape according to  claim 8 , in which the smaller diameter section is pushed into the gap, leaving the larger diameter section outwith the gap, to form the tapering space by virtue of the cusp between the section and the panel edge. 
     
     
         19 . Masking according to  claim 18 , in which the section is held in the gap by elastic deformation of the web and/or of one or other or both the circular sections. 
     
     
         20 . A method for making a masking tape according to  claim 11 , in which a web of foam is passed between blunt rotary discs that ‘weld’ the foam where they compress it so that it retains its compressed state. 
     
     
         21 . A method for making a masking tape, comprising passing a foam web between blunt rotary discs of an array of such discs extending across the width of the foam that ‘weld’ the foam where they compress it so that it remains in its compressed state so as to form parallel weld lines in the foam, in which some discs compress the foam more than others whereby to form some weld lines along which the foam can be separated. 
     
     
         22 . A method for masking at a gap between two members at least one of which is a thin panel such as an automobile window or is a thin edge of a wider panel such as a door, comprising trapping an elongate masking tape in the gap, the masking tape having a cross section which is pinched with lobes either side of the pinch, the tape being disposed so that the lobes are on opposite sides of the panel, whereby to mask against penetration of the gap and to hold the tape in place. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , in which the relative sizes of the gap and the tape are such that the tape can be introduced by compressing a section of one lobe so as to pass through the gap so that one lobe is on one side and the other lobe is on the other side of the panel, but the tape is slidable along the gap so that the entire gap can be masked by slidingly introducing the tape. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , in which the tape can be introduced by compressing at one end of the tape. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22 , in which the gap is openable for tape insertion, as by winding down a window slightly, and closable to trap the tape, as by winding up the window.