Painters Tape: How To Choose and Use It the Right Way
Since 2020, Google has reported a 250% increase in searches for "best interior paint," and fascination with paint doesn't stop there. However, most people overlook the importance of painter's tape.
If you're considering house painting, you need to learn the basics of buying painter's tape and the various types of tape that can be used as a masking tape for interior painting. So, let's look at choosing the best painter's tape and how to use it in your home. That way, you'll know that your painter is doing a good job and won't have to fix mistakes later.
What Is Painter’s Tape?
Painter's tape is used for house painting to achieve straight lines, protect ceilings, and makes the room look professional and crisp. Yet, some people think they can buy painter's tape, and it will do the painting job for you. But choosing painter's tape is about knowing the options and finding the right product for your painting project. That way, you'll be able to get the best result, and your space will look clean and neat.
Painter’s Tape Guide
Firstly, you'll need to consider what you'll be using the tape for. For instance, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- How large is your space?
- Will you need a lot of painter's tape?
- Do you require a specific strength?
Most of the time, people decide to use multipurpose tape.
Multipurpose Painter's Tape
As the name suggests, this product is excellent for various small and large homes. It can also be called blue masking tape as it is available in that color. Multipurpose painter's tape is ideal for people worried about damaging the walls. This tape has a medium adhesive to stick firmly to the wall without leaving scars when you rip it off. Because of its gentle quality, you can use this tape on floors, baseboards, and glass. If you spot a blue masking tape in a home improvement store, it's most likely multipurpose tape. However, you should also double-check before making a final purchase.
Textured Surface Painter’s Tape
Unlike blue masking tape, green masking tape is most often used for textured surfaces. Typically, this product is best used on brick walls, rough surfaces, and concrete, requiring strong tape. This tape has a high adhesive, so the material will stick and not move when you're painting an area with a rough surface.
Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape
Compared to textured surface painter's tape, which is strong and builds outdoor areas and areas of concrete, delicate surface painter's tape is perfect for sensitive spots that need paint detail. For example, if you're painting a kitchen cabinet, you might want to use delicate tape as it is smooth and soft on the surface. Purple masking tape is another name for this variety of painter's tape. This is the one for you when shopping for painter's tape and looking for a delicate product.
Exterior Painter's Tape
Have you ever wondered how to get straight lines with masking tape outside? Painting indoors is tricky, but battling the elements and covering outdoor surfaces is even more challenging. To paint outside, you will need to buy exterior painter's tape. It will stick to surfaces despite changing weather conditions and can be left on for several days. Therefore, this is an excellent option if you have a long painting project and don't want to constantly top up the tape. It's cost-effective and practical.
Decorative Painter's Tape
Another option of painter's tape is for decorative aspects. You should use decorative tape for small, intricate designs to paint a DIY design on your bedroom wall. This tape allows you to create thin lines and shapes which you can paint in different colors. No matter the design, you can find decorative painter's tape for every style.
How to Use Painter’s Tape for House Painting
After you've chosen your painter's type, you'll have to apply it to the appropriate surface. The following steps will help you through the process, so you don't make errors.
Prep and Clean the Surface
You should never start a painting job without cleaning and preparing the surface. This is important as it will remove all the dust and dirt from the space and give you a smooth space to work with. Plus, the surface needs to be cleaned if you want the tape to attach easily. Otherwise, it will peel off and leave you with gaps in your painting. Once the surface is ready, you can start applying the tape.
Apply the Tape
Although you might use the tape for different reasons, such as ceiling painting or painting trims, the same rules apply to all tape uses. Simply place the tape along the trim or line of the ceiling before painting. If you forget to use the tape before painting, it's still possible to stick it on a surface. But, you should wait at least 24 hours before placing it on the surface, as this will prevent the paint from coming off.
Remove the Tape
The last stage of the process is removing the tape. If the paint is already dry, you can use a putty knife to cut the tape and peel it off the surface gently. These painter's tape tips will ensure your painting project looks fantastic! However, you should hire a professional to help you with your next painting job.When you work with someone with experience using painter's tape and other painting techniques, you won't need to spend hours learning about painting. A professional can take care of it all for you.
Painter’s Tape for Beautiful Paint Projects
Picking the right product is never easy when there are so many options. Now that you've read this article, you'll be able to find the best painter's tape for house painting. But, if you need a little extra help, we're here for you. Our team of painters will never overlook a spot. You're guaranteed to have a professional and high-quality service from our painters. Ready to hire a painter? Get in contact with our team to find out more.