Proper Tack-off Procedures

Vehicle prep is the most important job in a paint shop – you are a last line of defense. Anything that was missed will be highlighted and amplified in the next station. Here we are going to review some best practices for tack-off procedures.

To get the best use out of a tack cloth, fold it in half and all four clean sides and the cloth can last through four or five vehicles.

To properly tack a vehicle off, it is important to wear proper paint shop attire, including clean coveralls, clean gloves, and a clean tack cloth. Here are some tips when wiping:
•    Wipe inboard to outboard, front to back, top to bottom.
•    Overlap wipes by 20%
•    Finish wiping motion by “wiping off” the vehicle.
•    Use right hand on right side of vehicle.
•    Use left hand on left side of vehicle.
•    Go from top to bottom when wiping vehicle doors.
•    Do not open doors with the tack cloth to prevent tack fibers from landing on the vehicle.

A common problem that arises is when oil drops onto the vehicle, especially on the horizontal areas. If the tack cloth picks up oil, the cloth must be disposed immediately; it will not remove the oil from the surface. Remove the oil with an alcohol wipe and perform the same process as you would with a tack cloth. Once the alcohol wipe is disposed of, pick up a clean tack cloth and continue with the normal process.

One common mistake is when too much pressure is applied with the tack cloth; the only pressure that needs to be applied is the weight of a hand. 

Tack-off is one of the last lines of defense in a paint shop. Following these best practices will help you increase your FTCs and reduce your overall dirt count.

Here are our Pro Tips for Proper Tack-off Procedures:
•    Change gloves frequently throughout your shift.
•    Change tack cloth when it appears visually dirty.
•    Immediately replace a torn or fractured wipe with a new one.
•    Always dispose of wipes in proper container.