Achieving razor-sharp lines and avoiding messy cleanup relies heavily on properly masking off a room. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to utilize painter’s tape like an expert.
The invention of masking tape by 3M scientist Richard Drew took place in 1925. After almost 65 years, the company achieved another significant breakthrough by uncovering the formula for ScotchBlue painter’s tape. This specific type of tape has played a vital role in transforming the residential and commercial painting industry and is now widely available in various places such as home improvement centers, paint stores, and supermarkets.
Painter’s Tape
Painter’s tape is utilized to cover surfaces you wish to avoid painting, and it is a masking tape with a light adhesive. This type of tape is particularly effective on smooth surfaces like recently painted woodwork, as it safeguards trim, baseboards, moldings, casings, and windows against drips and excess paint.
There are several advantages to using painter’s tape instead of traditional masking tape.
- No sticky residue when removed;
- Lifts cleanly without peeling;
- No paint bleed;
- Easy to tear. Check out this TikTok hack which makes tearing tape easier.
Remember to use tape around doorknobs, sconces, thermostats, etc.
What Type of Painter’s Tape Should You Use
You can find painter’s tape in different formulas, thicknesses, and widths from a variety of brands.
If you need a general masking tape, you can use 3M’s ScotchBlue No. 2090, which is available in five different widths and also has a version specifically designed for delicate surfaces. For stucco and brick, you can opt for Scotch Rough Surface Tape, which is extremely adhesive. On the other hand, FrogTape Multi-Surface with patented PaintBlock technology can be used to create a micro-barrier that prevents bleeding.
How to Use Painter’s Tape
- First, wipe away dirt and dust from trim so the tape will stick properly.
- To apply painter’s tape by hand, attach a little tape to the surface and roll out the tape about six inches.
- Keep the tape close to the wall, pressing down on the edges to get a good seal.
Painter’s tape can also be attached using a smooth-glide applicator, like the one produced by ScotchBlue. This applicator is simple to hold and applies the tape in a single uninterrupted strip, thereby saving time and preventing hand fatigue.
After applying the tape, run a flexible putty knife along the entire length to ensure that there are no spaces between the tape and the surface. Repeat this process, including using the putty knife, until everything is covered, and then begin painting! It is advisable to remove the tape while the paint is still wet, as leaving it to dry may cause some paint from the wall to come off with the tape.
To ensure the best results, gently and slowly remove the tape at a 45 degree angle, taking care to avoid peeling. If the painter’s tape is left in place for more than two days, it may become difficult to remove.
How to Tape a Room for Painting Walls
To ensure crisp lines and prevent paint splatters on unwanted surfaces, the following step-by-step process is recommended for masking walls before painting. Painter’s tape is used to safeguard ceilings, baseboards, and trims.
Prep and clean walls, ceiling, and trim
Before you begin any painting project, it is crucial to make sure that all surfaces are both clean and free from dust. This is particularly significant when utilizing painter’s tape, as it will not stick properly to surfaces that are dirty.
Ensure that everything is fully dried before proceeding to the subsequent step after the cleaning process.
Apply the tape to the trim and ceiling
The subsequent stage involves determining the areas that require protection. This typically includes areas such as the ceiling, the trim surrounding windows and doorways, and the baseboards in most rooms.
To make the tape easier to manage, tear it into 1-foot-long pieces. Apply the pieces in a straight line onto the desired area. Begin in the middle of each piece, using your finger or a putty knife to smooth it down. If any pieces appear uneven or create bubbles, it is recommended to take them off and start over.
Remove the tape as soon as you’re done painting
Although painter’s tape typically does not cause damage to the underlying surface, it is advisable to remove it promptly for optimal outcomes. To do so, carefully peel off the tape from the trim at a 45-degree angle. If there are any stubborn sections that do not come off easily, employing a putty knife is often helpful.
How to Use Painter’s Tape When Painting Trim
When the moment arrives to paint your trim, it will be necessary to safeguard your walls, floors, and ceiling to prevent them from getting painted.
Apply tape to the floor—whether it’s carpeting or a hard surface
When painting trim, it is important to use painter’s tape to safeguard hard flooring such as wood, tile, and carpeting, particularly wall-to-wall carpeting, from paint.
1. First, make sure the floor is clean. 2. Proceed to place a wide piece of painter’s tape along the edge where the baseboards and the ground meet. 3. Work on one foot at a time while applying the tape. 4. For carpets, securely attach the tape using a putty knife to ensure no carpeting is exposed while painting.
Use tape to protect your walls from paint
Before applying painter’s tape, make sure that the walls are clean and free of dust, particularly along the trim. If you have already painted the walls, wait for 24 hours or until the paint is completely dry before using the tape to prevent the paint from peeling off when removed.
Apply painter’s tape to the ceiling
If your trim has crown molding or any other type of molding next to the ceiling, you should protect the ceiling. While it may be assumed that white trim paint will not be noticeable on a ceiling, it is important to note that trims are usually painted with semi-gloss paint, while flat paint is commonly recommended for ceilings.
How to Use Painter’s Tape When Painting a Ceiling
Protect your walls, especially if they have been recently painted, while painting a ceiling. Additionally, if there is crown molding in the area, tape can be utilized to preserve its clean and white appearance.
Apply tape along the edges of the ceiling
If there is no upper molding in the room, apply painter’s tape on the walls where they meet the ceiling. Ensure that the walls have fully dried if they have been recently painted.
Take your time to make sure the tape is straight and lies completely flush with the edge of the ceiling, without any bubbles or ripples.
Apply painter’s tape to the crown molding
If there is a molding in the room that reaches the ceiling, follow the same method described above and apply the tape to the molding. Use your fingers or a putty knife to press down on the edges of the tape, making sure it sticks to the molding. Keep in mind that when dealing with a very intricate molding, this might take a little longer.
Remove the tape as soon as you’re done painting
After you finish painting the ceiling, it is important to remove the tape from the walls or moldings promptly. In case the paint has dried already, you might have to utilize the straight edge of a putty knife to score the tape. This will ensure that you can cleanly remove the tape without causing any chipping on the ceiling paint.
Painter’s Tape: Unique Uses and Ideas
Painter’s tape is a valuable resource for DIY projects. If you want to create the appearance of wallpaper without the high cost and long-term commitment, you can utilize painter’s tape to create stripes, diamonds, or an adorable gingham pattern on your wall. This adaptable tape offers numerous applications beyond just paint. It can be used to child-proof electrical outlets, label leftover containers, seal potato chip bags, and even create an indoor hopscotch court during inclement weather.
