In the world of automotive painting, time is money. Every minute saved in the masking and prep process means faster turnaround times and greater efficiency, which ultimately leads to increased productivity and profits. One innovative product that has revolutionized automotive masking is Tube Tape. Designed specifically to fill jambs and gaps efficiently, Tube Tape can save up to 30 minutes per car. But how does it achieve such impressive time savings? In this blog post, we’ll explore how Tube Tape works and the key features that make it a must-have for any automotive paint professional.
What Is Tube Tape?
Tube Tape is a specialized masking tool designed to fill door jambs, hood gaps, and other spaces that require precision masking before painting a vehicle. Available in different sizes, Tube Tape comes with a foam core that provides flexibility to fit various gaps in both modern and older vehicles.
- 3/8” diameter with a 1/4” foam core for tighter gaps in modern vehicles.
- 1/2” diameter with a 3/8” foam core for larger gaps in older cars.
This adaptable design allows Tube Tape to fill gaps perfectly, ensuring a clean, crisp paint line without the hassle of repositioning or adjusting traditional masking tape. Each tube is 48 inches long, providing plenty of coverage for most vehicles.
1. Quick and Efficient Masking
One of the primary reasons Tube Tape saves time is its ease of use. Traditional masking methods involve applying regular tape over gaps or door jambs, which often requires multiple adjustments to ensure proper coverage. This process can be tedious, especially in vehicles with tight or awkward spaces.
Tube Tape, on the other hand, is designed to fit snugly into these gaps with minimal effort. The foam core adapts to the shape of the gap, allowing the tube to remain in place without the need for constant repositioning. The result is a faster, more accurate masking job. In fact, by eliminating the need for meticulous taping and retaping, Tube Tape can save up to 30 minutes per vehicle.
2. Versatile for Modern and Older Vehicles
Whether you’re working on a brand-new car or a classic vehicle, Tube Tape has you covered. For modern cars with tighter jambs, the 3/8” diameter tube is the perfect fit, providing a secure seal without bulging or slipping. For older cars with larger gaps, the 1/2” diameter tube fills in more substantial spaces.
This versatility means you don’t need to switch between different types of tape or masking methods depending on the car you’re working on. Tube Tape handles it all, reducing the time spent prepping for each job.
3. Reduces Need for Additional Taping
Traditional masking often requires multiple layers of tape to achieve a perfect seal, especially around curved or uneven surfaces. Tube Tape’s round shape naturally feathers paint edges, making it ideal for small target areas, such as around door handles or behind gas caps. This not only saves time but also ensures that the paint line is smooth and professional without the need for additional taping.
Moreover, the foam core can be easily slid out for narrow gaps, further enhancing its ability to mask small, hard-to-reach areas. This adaptability makes Tube Tape a one-stop solution for a wide range of masking needs, reducing the time required for additional adjustments.
4. Sticks Securely to Multiple Surfaces
A key feature of Tube Tape is its use of 3M™ High Performance Green Masking Tape 401+, which provides excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces commonly found on vehicles, including:
- Metal
- Glass
- Rubber
- Plastic
- EPDM rubber moldings
Tube Tape sticks in place until removed, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about shifting or peeling during the painting process. This eliminates the need for retaping and allows the painter to focus on the task at hand without interruptions. Once the job is complete, Tube Tape repositions and removes easily without leaving adhesive residue, saving even more time during the post-paint cleanup process.
5. Withstands High Temperatures
Automotive painting often involves curing paint at high temperatures, which can cause some masking tapes to degrade or leave behind residue. Tube Tape is temperature-resistant up to 250º F (121º C) for 30 minutes, ensuring that it holds up during the heat curing process. There’s no need to worry about baked-on residue or melted tape, making it perfect for use in paint booths where high temperatures are standard.
By avoiding issues like melted adhesive or residue cleanup, Tube Tape helps keep the post-paint process smooth and fast, contributing to the overall time savings.
6. No Adhesive Residue
One of the biggest time drains in automotive masking is dealing with adhesive residue left behind by low-quality masking products. Tube Tape’s 3M™ adhesive technology ensures that it removes cleanly, without leaving behind sticky residue that requires additional cleaning. This not only saves time but also prevents potential damage to the freshly painted surface. The quick and easy removal process allows painters to move seamlessly from masking to painting to finishing without delays.
7. Convenient Storage and Reusability
When it comes to storage, Tube Tape is designed for durability. It stores easily under normal conditions of 70º F (21º C) and 50% relative humidity, maintaining its integrity for future use. Tube Tape’s robust construction means it’s ready to use whenever you need it, reducing time spent on preparing or replacing damaged masking materials.
Additionally, used tubes can be stored separately and reused for smaller or specialized masking jobs, further extending their lifespan and enhancing their value in a high-paced auto body shop environment.
Conclusion
Tube Tape is an innovative solution that saves up to 30 minutes per car in the automotive masking process. Its ability to fill gaps quickly and securely, stick to multiple surfaces, withstand high temperatures, and be easily removed without residue makes it a valuable tool for any automotive painter. Whether you’re working on modern vehicles with tight jambs or older cars with larger gaps, Tube Tape adapts to your needs, streamlining the masking process and improving overall efficiency.
By reducing the need for multiple tapes, eliminating retaping, and ensuring a clean finish, Tube Tape helps you get cars painted faster without compromising on quality. If you’re looking for a way to boost productivity in your shop and save time on every job, Tube Tape is the masking solution you’ve been waiting for.
Ready to save time on your next automotive painting project? Try Tube Tape today and experience the difference firsthand.
