Not sure if people will think this is a good idea or not...
I read about the paint sometimes coming off with the tape when people use making tape on the housing for a blackhouse project...
So last night when i did my painting, I pulled off a piece of masking tape and actually had an old carpet that we ripped out and put the tape down on the carpet and pressed it in, then lifted it off and then put it back down on the carpet one more time.
This made the masking tape get less sticky with all the carpet fuzz on it. So when I pulled it off, it came off perfect and the chrome looking finish that i left around the parking light stayed on nicely...
The same concept could be used, where instead of an old carpet, just put the tape down on your pant-leg or shirt or something a couple times so it starts to lose its stickiness somewhat...
Just an idea and I hope it helps someone out!
But to Badger - just out of curiosity, how did you go through 3-4 headlights?