I've noticed on more than one occasion while researching my current kayak project references made to masking the edge of the painted line for painting and then waiting until the paint dries before removing the tape. In my other non-boating life as a long time professional signmaker, I know you will find that the signmakers will almost always remove the tape while it is still wet to prevent a "hard edge" as opposed to the "rounded edge" created by paints natural flow characteristics. This rounded edge is prone far less to chipping at the edge when anything passes over it, thus a neater edge that lasts longer. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. (Unless of course I'm missing something).

Doug Bauer