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ProGrade

ProGrade™ Paint Masks

Now one vinyl paint mask works for either sign shop or body shop applications!

ProGrade vinyl paint mask is a specially designed, removable film used in making computer cut stencils for painted graphics. It works with either sign enamels or automotive paints and features a user-friendly adhesive which is easy to transfer from the release liner, easy to apply and easy to remove. It has become extremely popular because it removes without leaving any adhesive residue or other surface contamination. Available in either white or yellow, it is easy to cut and weed and works in bake cycles up to 200° F. Available in 15”  punched and unpunched, 24”,30” punched and unpunched, 48”,54”, 60”. Available in 150’ and 750’ roll lengths.

ProGrade™ vinyl paint mask is a specially designed, removable film, used in making computer-cut stencils for painted graphics. ProGrade™ paint mask can be used for either sign shop or body shop applications, and with either sign lettering enamels or automotive urethane paints. Unlike cheaper paint masks, ProGrade™ uses a polymeric vinyl facestock, which is much easier to plotter cut and weed, even when producing paint mask stencils with fine detail.

ProGrade™ paint mask features a user friendly adhesive system, which is easy to transfer from the release liner, easy to apply, and easy to remove. ProGrade Paint mask comes in either yellow or white. Unlike other paint masks, both yellow and white films are polymeric blend vinyls. Both films are capable of withstanding higher curing temperatures, during baking cycles.

Key Features & Benefits of ProGrade ™ Paint Mask

  1. Available in either white or yellow.
  2. Easy to cut and weed, even when producing paint mask stencils with fine detail.
  3. User-friendly adhesive system, which is easy to transfer from the release liner, easy to apply, and easy to remove.
  4. Removes cleanly from most factory paint surfaces without leaving any adhesive residue or other surface contamination.
  5. Withstands bake cycles up to +200ºF (94ºC).
  6. Use white ProGrade as a printable facestock for short term graphics.

Paint Mask Tips

  1. If you apply paint mask to a painted surface, the paint must be thoroughly cured. If it doesn’t, the paint’s solvents will likely outgas and react with the mask’s adhesive. These solvents can turn the adhesive into a gooey mass that leaves a residue when removing the paint mask.
  2. Installing paint-mask film is much easier than applying regular vinyl. If a wrinkle or bubble appears in the film, don’t worry about it. It won’t affect the paint job.
  3. When painting vehicle graphics, just apply the paint mask over an obstruction, such as a rub rail or louvered vent. After carefully removing the application tape, squeegee all paint-mask edges again. Be sure the mask’s edges fit tightly against the surface. If it doesn’t, paint will blow back underneath. Where the vinyl lifts or tents at the edges of the obstruction, slit the film with an X-acto® knife. Be careful not to cut the substrate surface. After tucking in the paint mask as tightly as you can, tape any gaps where the cuts were made with masking tape. Use only premium masking tape. It makes no sense to save a few cents buying a cheap tape; there are no shortcuts to quality and value. Some cheaper masking tapes allow paint to bleed through.
  4. Application tape is a self-wound product. The tape’s paper backing often picks up minute amounts of adhesive. As you squeegee paint mask in place, you may potentially transfer some adhesive to unmasked areas, which, if left, contaminates the paint. To prevent this, use a low-friction sleeve on your squeegee. Like a magnet, the sleeve picks up adhesive particles and prevents sub- strate contamination.
  5. After applying the paint-mask vinyl, sand the substrate surface with 500– to 1,000-grit sandpaper before painting. Sanding roughs the surface, promotes good paint adhesion and minimizes defects. Use an air hose to blow off paint dust. Then, wipe the surface clean using a tack cloth.