Introducing 3M™ Precision Poly Tape

You’re right, 3M Precision Poly Tape tears a little differently than you’re used to. The science that gives it its unique properties also requires some adjustment to how you tear it off the roll. Here are some easy tips for tearing Precision Poly Tape, which you can see in action. Once you get used to it, you won’t be able to not tear it.

• Method 1: Pinch tear – Secure the tape to the roll with your thumb at the tear point or grasp it firmly with one hand near the roll. With your other hand, quickly snap away the loose end of the tape.
• Method 2: Snap tear – With one hand on each side of the tear point, grasp the tape between the thumbs and forefingers. Quickly snap it apart in opposing directions.
• Method 3: Tearing on a surface – Apply tape while still on the roll. At the tear point, press the tape firmly to the surface with your thumb to secure it. With your other hand, snap the roll away from the applied tape.

We understand it’s fast and easy to leave tape in the paint booth, but that’s not the best way to store tape. Because a paint booth runs through bake cycles, tape left inside undergoes heat aging, or accelerated aging. To keep poly tape working its best, store it outside the paint booth in a cool, dry place. Lay it flat, not upright. Fine line widths can be kept in the storage pouch that came with your order.

Precision Poly Tape has a shelf life of 24 months at 70° F with 50% relative humidity. That said, we don’t think it’ll be on your shelf for long after you start using it.

Because poly tape is made of pliable polyethylene, you want to make sure you don’t overstretch it, which can reduce its effectiveness. We know you’ll probably be tempted because it’s so conformable, so we designed handy indicator lines to show you exactly when the tape has been stretched beyond its limits.

Excellent question. The flip side of poly tape being stretchy is that it's easier to work with. It has 150%+ elongation, which gives you lots of control and ability to maneuver precisely around curves and body lines. Because of poly tape’s stretchiness, you don’t need to pull it as hard as you’re used to pulling paper or vinyl tape to get conformability and control.

Yes, and it’s easiest with the fine line widths! If you’re having trouble taping tight curves without the indicator lines showing, try the 1/8” (3mm) size.

Yes – you’ll be surprised at the conformability of our ¾” (18mm) and even 1½” (36mm) wide tape.

5.5 mils, thinner than 233+ and similar to other vinyl tapes for low-profile paint edges.

Yes, poly tape is just as easy to fold as paper tape. You can also use it with an EZ Edger™, just lift roller B up out of position.

Yes. Make sure you have a relatively sharp blade and be sure to tear from the tape edge, not the paper edge.

Yep, sure will.

Just pull the tape taut before you tear it, and you should be good to go.

Poly tape can be exposed to temps as high as 200° F or 93.3° C for up to 1 hour. Beyond this temperature and time limit, the tape may not perform as expected.

Yes, the tape remains durable and UV resistant for 7 days.

Pull it up slowly at a 45° angle.

Try these tips:

• Do not rub the sheeting into the tape before cutting the outline for general masking.
• Use a fresh blade to get the cleanest cut.
• To reduce repositioning: While in the paint booth, first unfold the sheeting from the opposite side of the repair area. This helps anchor the sheeting. Then move to the tape side and unfold the sheeting with hands spread out wide to lay it down without wrinkles – like laying out a tablecloth.

After trying these techniques, you’ll start to enjoy the benefits of a stickier tape with clean, one piece removal!