Method of masking, masking strip suited to the method and method of manufacturing said strip

A method of painting at least part of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• using an adhesive masking strip comprising an elongate cellular material resistant to a surface treatment and at least one adhesive region, wherein the adhesive masking strip comprises at least one groove, at least part of the wall of which groove has a region inclined by an angle of less than 45° with respect to the at least one adhesive region;
• applying the at least one adhesive region of said adhesive masking strip to at least part of the edge of a surface of the motor vehicle that is to be treated, by an operator guiding said strip by inserting part of at least one finger in the groove;
• performing a painting operation;
• and
• detaching said adhesive masking strip after the painting operation has been completed.

A method of manufacturing the adhesive masking strip comprising an elongate cellular material resistant to a surface treatment and having at least one adhesive region, wherein the adhesive masking strip comprises a body having at least one groove, at least part of the wall of said groove having a region inclined by an angle of less than 45° with respect to the at least one adhesive region, and which comprises the steps of:

• manufacturing blocks of cellular material by controlled expansion;
• cutting tapes of cellular material from the blocks;
• machining the tapes of cellular material to obtain an adhesive masking strip shape;
• and
• depositing an adhesive tape along at least part of the machined tapes of cellular material so as to form at least one adhesive region.