A masking strip for masking the interior surfaces of a gap between two substrates to be painted is provided, the strip comprising: a backing having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having an adhesive region to fix the masking strip to an interior surface of the gap; a gap filler extending from the backing and adapted to prevent paint flow into the gap; wherein the first surface of the backing is also provided with a spacing means adapted to space the backing of the masking strip away from the interior surface of the gap to which the strip is fixed, and wherein the masking strip is pre-formed.

A flexible tubular tape product includes a hollow tape tube formed from a spiral wound strip of overlapping pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape. The hollow tube defines an empty interior core space. The outside surface of the hollow tape tube is coated with the pressure sensitive adhesive. A flexible core shaft is positioned inside the interior core space of the hollow tape tube in order to impart some body and ease of handling to the tape tube product.

A flexible tubular tape product includes a hollow tape tube formed from a spiral wound strip of overlapping pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape. The hollow tube defines an empty interior core space. The outside surface of the hollow tape tube is coated with the pressure sensitive adhesive. A flexible core shaft is positioned inside the interior core space of the hollow tape tube in order to impart some body and ease of handling to the tape tube product.

A method for masking a gap between a closure panel member and a surround, such, for example, as an automobile door arrangement, in which a mask protrudes from the gap and overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge, and masking tapes used in carrying out the method. The masking can be effected by introducing a resiliently deformable elongate strip mask into the gap so as to compress it to be pinched in the gap to protrude therefrom and, after painting, to remove the strip from the gap prior to overpainting. The mask may be introduced with the closure member closed, and needs no adhesive to hold it to the door or surround.

A flexible tubular tape product includes a hollow tape tube formed from a spiral wound strip of overlapping pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape. The hollow tube defines an empty interior core space. The outside surface of the hollow tape tube is coated with the pressure sensitive adhesive. A flexible core shaft is positioned inside the interior core space of the hollow tape tube in order to impart some body and ease of handling to the tape tube product.

A method for masking a gap between a closure panel member and a surround, such, for example, as an automobile door arrangement, in which a mask protrudes from the gap and overlies the panel member edge defining a space tapering towards the edge, whereby to feather the paint towards the edge, and masking tapes used in carrying out the method. The masking can be effected by introducing a resiliently deformable elongate strip mask into the gap so as to compress it to be pinched in the gap to protrude therefrom and, after painting, to remove the strip from the gap prior to overpainting. The mask may be introduced with the closure member closed, and needs no adhesive to hold it to the door or surround.