Abstract: A masking material includes a stiffened edge for easier insertion of the edge between closely abutting panels or surfaces as might be encountered in preparing a motor vehicle for painting or other such surface treatment. Preferably, a thin, flexible base layer includes an edge piece characterized in that it is flexible but more rigid than the base layer itself, enabling the edge piece to be inserted between closely spaced articles, with the remaining base layer being folded over the article to be masked, thereby providing an abrupt masking interface. One such article might, for instance, include a flush-type rubber molding incorporated into modern motor vehicles. In the preferred construction, the base layer comprises a tape with an adhesive surface, the edge piece being a flexible plastic strip which is narrower than the width of the base layer and adhered to the base layer using the adhesive surface.