Wow, did I open a Pandora's Box on emotions about Norton, 3M and Home Despot.

Yeah - the 3M tape is expensive, but I haven't found anything else that wont allow paint creep under it - any suggestions? Tuck (or Duck or Harbor Freight and similar) is OK for line definition when cutting steel, putting a form together to 'glass, or to rattle can paint your outside furniture, but not to paint a car.

I'm seeing some improvement at the local HD since they booted out my old GE boss, Bob Nardelli and his $210KK 'golden parachute'. I even got asked if I needed help twice and was greeted at the door - and during the same visit. But they still didn't have what I wanted so went across the road to Lowe's.
Most of Lowe's bolting says Rockwell on the package but are much too expensive so I often end up at Tractor Supply a half mile down the road. Their Gr8 are $3 something a POUND. Though they are most likely Chinese, at least I feel that they are OK where a Gr5 would work - and I only use them in an unstressed situation. High strength bolts come from Fastenal or McMaster-Carr. Ace Hardware has its major NE distribution center about 15 miles from me but the only local store was sold since it could not compete with the big box stores and became a Kia dealership - whoopee!!

OK - gotta go wear out some more 3M paper and hope that the next good spell of weather I can paint