WARNING!! Scotch Blue Edglock tape (Made by 3M)

[mc2hill]

I usually use the green 3M automotive tape as well, but have been using a paper tape that I really like. My vendor is not carrying the tape anymore, so I visited the 3M booth at Detail Fest and found their 3M Precision Masking tape (06529). This tape is 3/4" wide and works very nicely on curves. It is low-tack, but can be transferred and used again in a different place on vehicle. This is a body shop tape, so it should not be too difficult to find.

 

[AndyL]

As an update on the 3M Blue Edge-loc tape I decided to try the tape again on some other types of materials on the vehicle. Once again, I decided to try tapeing some plastic similar to the luggage racks which are a textured plastic. Once again, the issues were the same, however, this time the tape was left on for a far less amount of time. I fought getting it off, but it wasn't too bad. Just enough of a fight that I won't ever use it on textured automotive plastics again. Perhaps it had more to do with the black textured plastic being dry as I didn't have this issue on the gray plastic that seemed to be not as dry.

I did notice that the blue edge-loc tape is also starting to split when I try and remove it from the roll. Usually I only find this with masking tapes that are either cheap (non-3M brands), or even with 3M rolls that have some age on them. I've found this to be true with the tan, blue, and green 3M tapes if they're more than several months old.

I also tried it (blue edge-loc) on some of the rubber window trims and my experience was somewhat better if left on for a few hours in the sun. There were some minor issues with the tape wanting to seperate on removal. However, I found the same issues with this tape if placed on in the evening and left over night. Good thing I thought about it and pulled it off that morning before leaving home for a few hours. This time I think the morning dew had something to do with it, but I expected that also.

I also tried it (blue edge-loc) on some black paint in the sun and it removed fine, but it was only left on for no more than a half an hour...I'm slightly gunshy. I'll use my 3M geen for automotive paint, thank you.

My warning is not to imply that 3M Blue Edge-loc tape isn't a good tape, rather, that it has specified uses and that automotive use is Not a use that was specified.

I have made the same mistake and left the tape for approximately 5-6 days on the plastic trims of my personal car in the garage for similar personal reason. When I removed the blue tape, it left the black plastic trim some marks. Again, the tape has no effect on the grey plastic/rubber trim.

I wonder is the surface already marred or the marks are tiny adhesive leftover? The strangest thing is when I touched the plastic trim, it is not sticky. But it has patches of indentation.

Any solution to fix it?



Thanks.