Preventing overspray when painting flames

Just recently did a flame job and it turned out well besides some tiny bits of overspray. I used the 1/8" 3M tape to outline the flames then used some 2" painters tape to edge around that. When it was all said and done I had some overspray where I had some sharp corners/turns and the 2" tape was naturally crinkled hard. Then, the said overspray.

How do you prevent that??

 

the last two i did i masked over the 1/8 with 2.5 and cut along with a razor blade one fine line. it seem to hold down better.

 

go to your nearest place that does vinal graphix and get a roll of the stickey paper they use usualy 18" and put down your blue 3m tape and go over it with the paper and cut the flames back out and your done.

 

the overspray will sand off with a real fine grit paper like 1200/1500 with clean water , just becareful to lightly scuff the overspray only, then folow up with your clear, you will never see it...

 

After you've gotten your outline with the fine tape, cover the whole area with your 2" tape - don't try to follow the contours. Just mask over the whole thing.

Then go back with a sharp razor blade and cut out around your initial outline, then remove the part where you'll be painting. Easier than trying to bend that 2" tape and you'll get a cleaner line.

 

It was an absolute bitch bending that 2" tape. And I don't think I should take fine grit to the overspray because it's a flat black finish and no clear coat will be going overtop.

 

Speedracer mentioned going to a vinyl sign place. That stuff works but is a little thich and a little garder to see through depending on your base color. Frisket works really well for this. I use it for jobs with a lot of licks. For a basic traditional flame job I tape with 2". Like the guys said don't follow the 1/8" it takes longer and the edges will lift.

You need to catch them all before clear. I use some reducer or thinner and dab them away. A striping brush with thinner even works well, just be careful not to left your base as well.

 

I use the 1/8" blue fine line tape for the outline then cover the whole area in 12" wide roll mask that is somewhat transparent, you can see the blue tape through it, then just use a exacto knife and cut on the blue line but not too deep. Cutting on the blue through the roll mask gives you a little room for error so you can cut through the roll mask without hitting paint underneath. If you do get a little overspray on the flat black I use a razor blade and gently scrape the overspray off then clean up any residue with laquer thinner.

 

Some of the best 1/8th inch tape I've found is the 3M series 233 paper tape.It makes a nice sharp radius and if you goof you can pick it up and lay it down 2 or 3 times and it will still stick.The 218 series tape is junk and about twice as much money(I pay $3 for an eighth inch roll).The blue tape may be good for straight lines but it sucks for making sharp turns and sticking.
After I lay down the eighth inch,I cover the surface with 4" wide transfer tape(the stuff used for laying down vinyl graphics),take a piece of charcoal and gently rub across the areas to bring out the tape lines.Then I use an Olfa circular knife(5/8ths inch blade)and carefully trace around the middle of the tape lines.The circular blade is easier to operate and doesn't catch like a pointed blade will.With a little practice it is easy to cut through the single layer of transfer tape without cutting into the 1/8th inch tape.Before spraying,I use the end of a popsicle stick to press the tape edges down.Hardly ever get any overspray or creep under the tape.If I do the stripe edge takes care of it.