2026 NOCTI Collision Repair and Refinishing Practice Test – Complete Exam Prep

Masking during painting is about controlling where the paint goes. By using masking materials, you block areas that should stay unpainted from receiving spray, preventing the paint mist from landing on glass, trim, seals, or nearby panels. This helps achieve clean edges and a professional finish. Overspray is the unwanted paint that lands outside the intended areas, so masking directly tackles that issue. Fisheye, orange peel, and runs come from surface prep, paint viscosity and atomization, or coating application technique, not from masking, so masking mainly prevents overspray.