Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

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Kevin Sjostrand
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Re: Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Mike, you want to lightly score the finish with an exacto or razor knife right around the tape, then peel it off. If your bridge is going over the finish a bit, then if you go into the top slightly it won't be an issue, but try to just score the finish
johnnparchem
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Re: Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

Post by johnnparchem »

get a scalpel, the blades are way sharper than an exacto. Also always use a brand new blade.
jbjewitt
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Re: Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

Post by jbjewitt »

mike288 wrote:last time I scored with the exacto the nitro cracked and created spider web cracks in the nitro, even tho I was being slow and patient. I was wondering if there is a better way?
I would have to ask whose NC you were using. Have never heard of that happening.
I vaguely remember though that Gibson at one time used a hair dryer to slightly warm (soften) the NC before pulling off tape.
-Jeff Jewitt-
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tippie53
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Re: Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

Post by tippie53 »

I don't use taps I removed the lacquer by routing out the area
I use my inlay tool but a dremel will do nicely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJG5Frbu78c
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
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president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
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jbjewitt
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Re: Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

Post by jbjewitt »

I have tried all ways, taping off, removing the finish with stripper and have settled on the router removal - following Johns on-line video. I use a Dremel with the Stew-Mac router base.
What I don't like about the tape method is that I don't feel like I'm levelling the finish around the tape properly when sanding back and then buffing out.
-Jeff Jewitt-
Jewitt Guitars
www.JewittGuitars.com

Homestead Finishing Products
www.homesteadfinishingproducts.com
Danl8
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Re: Removing Bridge Masking Tape After Finish?

Post by Danl8 »

Ditto on the routing method. I saw this done at the Martin factory and then used John's video for the how-to.
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