You have been told that painter’s tape is what the professionals use to create crips clear lines or protect areas from getting paint on them while the painter is working. This is true, but if you have never used painter’s tape before it is recommended that you take the time to learn more about this product before you try to use it.
There are tips and tricks to getting the right tape, getting the tape to adhere properly, and removing the tape without damaging the beautiful paint you applied to the nearby surface.
What is Painters’ Tape?
Painter’s tape is a type of masking tape. The adhesive on the back of the painter variety is lighter so it does less damage to the surface it is placed on. When you place regular masking tape onto an area the tape bonds tightly and when you try to pull it off it will break into pieces or worse yet it will damage the surface.
Painter’s tape is designed to
- Be removed and do not leave a sticky residue behind
- Lift from a surface without peeling the paint off the surface
- Stop paint from bleeding through the tape
- It is easy to tear so you do not need a dispenser or scissors to cut it
- Cover trim boards and baseboards while you paint walls
- Protect window casings and door casings from accidental paint drips or smears
Pros of painters’ tape
- It is easy to use and you do not need a dispenser to tear it from the roll
- It is inexpensive
- It saves you time when you are painting a room. You can apply the paint faster without as much fear of getting paint on trim and other surfaces
- It is versatile and can be used on most surfaces with no fear of damages
- It does not leave a residue behind when it is removed
- It allows you to use multiple colors of paint in one area without blending the colors. You can paint your walls one color, your ceiling one color, and your trim a different color
- It helps you paint patterns like stripes on a surface and keep lines crisp and clean
Expert Tips on Choosing Painters’ Tape
There are different types of painter’s tape and different brands of painter’s tape.
Overall Best Tape: Frog tape for delicate surfaces. This is a green-colored tape, not the traditional blue. It is very delicate and can stay in place for as long as 60 days
Best suited for multi-surfaces: Frog Tape for multi-surfaces. This tape will adhere to stone, carpet, and unfinished wood. It can be left in place for up to 21 days.
Best for outdoor applications: IPG ProMsk Blue with Bloc-It
Best for delicate walls: Scotch Delicate surface tape.
Best for textured walls: Scotch Rough surface
Delicate: If the tape is listed as delicate it will work best on surfaces with fresh paint or surfaces that may tend to peel. This tape is easy to manipulate and very easy to rear. It can be placed on finished wood surfaces, vinyl, laminate, wallpapers, and veneers. If you use it on drywall the drywall needs to be primed.
Multi-Surface: If you have a surface that is hard to get the tape to adhere to then multi-surface may be your best choice. It has a slightly more aggressive adhesive.
Rough Surface: The rough surface needs to be used on textured surfaces or maybe rough wood.
1” To 2” width: This is the go-to size of tape you want to buy. The wider tape covers a wider swath but it is also more expensive.
Poly or Crepe-backed varieties: These backings allow the tape to be more flexible so it is easier to tape curved items or make the tape conform to the shape of the trim you are covering.
How to Apply Painters’ Tape
- Dust the area where the tape will be applied. A minuscule amount of dust can interfere with adhesion.
- Use a damp cloth and wipe the area the tape will be used on so the surface is thoroughly cleaned.
- Let the area dry fully before beginning to tape.
- Pull no more than 18” lengths from the roll and apply them to the surface area. If you are taping baseboards and trim use 6” lengths of tape.
- Each length of tape will slightly overlap the previous piece of tape to create a uniform and solid coverage.
Application Tips from The Pros
- A flexible putty knife can be drug across the top of the tape to press it firmly into position.
- Longer strips of tape are harder to position and keep straight
- You should let the tape run until it is about 1/8th of an inch from a corner
- Pressure can usually be applied with just your fingers
When to Remove Painters’ Tape
To remove the tape, you find a starting edge and gently begin to pull it away from the surface.
Step1
Locate a beginning edge where the edge of the substance is visible. The tape is easiest to remove while the paint is still slightly wet. The tape will be less likely to make any paint smears if it has dried before it is removed. The surface area and the manufacturer’s instructions with the tape should help you decide whether to pull it away while the paint is still wet or wait until the paint is dry.
Step2
Gently lift one corner of the tape and then slowly pull the tape away from the surface. Use gentle pressure to keep the tape from lagging and sticking to the surface.
You should be holding the tape at a 45-degree angle as you pull it away.
Step 3
Work your way around the painted area being sure to toss the used material into a waste receptacle as you go.
Tips
If the paint is still wet then the tape may have wet paint on it. If the tape makes contact with the painted surface, then a paint transfer may occur. Work slowly and be patient.
Read the tape label and see the recommended amount of time that the tape you are using can be left on the surface. The length of time is determined by the strength of the adhesive on the tape and by the surface, on which the tape is used.
How to Remove Painters’ Tape
If the tape is exposed to direct sunlight the length of time that it can remain in place is reduced. A tape that is meant to stay in place for as long as 21 days will need to be removed after just 7 days if the tape is exposed to direct sunlight.
Use a putty knife and score along the edge of the painter’s tape covering trim. This action will prevent the fresh paint from being lifted with the tape.
Lift with an upward motion pulling the tape away from the surface.
Never stick regular masking tape on painted surfaces or drywall surfaces. The adhesive is strong enough on these tapes to damage the surface.
When you are installing the tape measure the amount you need twice before you make the tear in it.
Go ahead and buy the wider tape to cover wider baseboards and trims. The role will be higher priced but if you are going to have to use two or more strips of the narrow tape you are not going to be spending any more money, you will just be saving installation and removal time.
Problems and Solutions
The tape is not sticking. The solution is to make sure the surface is properly clean and dry before application. You can also check to see if the tape is compatible with the surface material you want it to stick to.
The tape does not want to pull off of the roll. The solution is to check the age of the tape. Older rolls of tape that have been exposed to any sunlight or heat may adhere to themselves and become unusable. Always store your tape in a dry area that does not get exposed to direct sunlight.
You have a long area to cover: The solution is to buy a painter’s tape dispenser that will keep the correct pressure on the roll while you run along a wall or floor. These dispensers help to keep the tape from twisting or curling as you apply it.
Having trouble taping corners: The solution is to buy tape that is designed to tear at 90 degrees. Then you can press the tape into the corner with no bubbles or bulking.
Final Thoughts
Painting like a pro starts with prepping the area like a pro. The painter’s tape covers the things you do not want the paint to touch so you can paint faster and have fewer oops. The pros also know that removing that tape as soon as possible will reduce the likelihood that the surface under the tape receives any damage.
Read More:
1. Why Do Painters Wear White Pants?
2. How to Use A Perfect Caulk Finishing Tool
