E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

E-Bodies Cuda & Challenger (sponsor: ROSEVILLE MOPARTS) => Cuda & Challenger General Discussion (ROSEVILLE MOPARTS) => Topic started by: 70RTSE383 on October 16, 2018, 02:52:24 PM

Title: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: 70RTSE383 on October 16, 2018, 02:52:24 PM
How do you mask the headlight opening in the headloght surrounds? Does someone make a mask for this? I cant imagine using tape for this.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: Brads70 on October 16, 2018, 03:45:58 PM
I taped mine. At the local body shop supply they sell 1/8" tape (and up) . This makes it much easier to tape off.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: GoodysGotaCuda on October 16, 2018, 05:00:13 PM
I would use plastic tape, it will work well on those curves then fill in the rest with standard blue tape.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: Rich G. on October 16, 2018, 06:16:28 PM
Cup of coffee , roll of good tape and some good background music and tape away. Well that's what I had to do anyway.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: 70RTSE383 on October 16, 2018, 06:43:51 PM
My concern in not down inside the ring around the light, thats easy. The thing is the transition from flat face 90 degrees into the ring around the opening. There is a little border that should be masked. When I looked at a NOS piece in the photo here I noticed that the factory really didn't seem to worry about that very much. Maybe I am over analyzing this. The original ones on the car (black) seemed very well masked but I removed the paint during repair of them.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: GY3R/T on October 16, 2018, 06:47:39 PM
     Stuff a nerf football in the holes and spray away.  Once Paint is dry, take a paper towel, get part of it wet with Acetone and wipe to get the proper reveal/edge around the opening.     :bigthumb:
   Painted edge never had a defined edge.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: Topcat on October 16, 2018, 07:21:33 PM
Doing Grille parts are a PITA.

Re did my 71' grille was a ton of time.

I'm sure nothing compared to restoring a Sharktooth grille.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: JS29 on October 17, 2018, 05:31:17 AM
3M fine line tape, green 3m tape also molds around corners well.  :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: RUNCHARGER on October 17, 2018, 06:59:20 AM
Yes: Tape is actually not that bad for this.
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: 70RTSE383 on October 17, 2018, 02:04:04 PM
Ok doesn't seem like a big deal after all. A lot like my unused se fear finish panel. The top paint border doesnt even look like it was masked at all. Thanks for all your help
Title: Re: Best way to mask headlight openings when painting headlight buckets
Post by: RUNCHARGER on October 17, 2018, 06:31:21 PM
It's pretty easy to keep your quality better than OEM quality.