What is masking?

What is masking?

• A. Applying primer to all surfaces
• B. Removing old paint
• C. Covering areas not to be painted
• D. Sanding edges

Answer: (C)

Masking is the process of covering areas that won’t be painted so they stay clean and free from overspray. In a collision repair or refinishing job, you protect windows, lights, trim, emblems, seals, and nearby panels by using masking tape, masking paper, or plastic film. This creates clean, sharp paint lines and prevents paint from reaching surfaces that should remain unpainted. Masking is done before applying primer and paint, and the masking is removed after the paint cures. Without masking, overspray can contaminate glass, rubber seals, or adjacent areas, leading to extra work. Other prep steps, like applying primer to all surfaces or sanding edges, serve different purposes and are not masking.

Masking is the process of covering areas that won’t be painted so they stay clean and free from overspray. In a collision repair or refinishing job, you protect windows, lights, trim, emblems, seals, and nearby panels by using masking tape, masking paper, or plastic film. This creates clean, sharp paint lines and prevents paint from reaching surfaces that should remain unpainted. Masking is done before applying primer and paint, and the masking is removed after the paint cures. Without masking, overspray can contaminate glass, rubber seals, or adjacent areas, leading to extra work. Other prep steps, like applying primer to all surfaces or sanding edges, serve different purposes and are not masking.