Good masking is the key to sharp, professional paint lines and an overall neat, finished look. A great paint job begins with knowing how to mask - which tape to use, how to mask properly and how to remove the tape. It also can help avoid rework by preventing paint drips, spatters and accidental brush strokes. Follow these quick and easy steps to achieve great results:
Make sure you're using the best tape for the job. Scotch-Blue™ Painter's Tape for Delicate Surfaces delivers super sharp paint lines on smooth surfaces. Check out our Tape Selector Chart to see which Scotch-Blue™ Painter's Tape best suits your project.
Clean the surface, and make sure it is dry and dust-free. This will help the tape stick properly.
Pull tape off the roll a few feet at a time. Lay it onto surface depressions. Press down as you go. Avoid stretching the tape; this can cause it to lift up or break.
Secure the tape by pressing the edge down with a putty knife or a 5-in-1 tool. Use a credit card if you don't have a 5-in-1 tool. If the surface is highly textured, seal the edge of the tape with the existing base color of the wall. This will prevent the new paint color from seeping under the tape.
Remove the tape at a 45-degree angle, and at a moderate speed. Just pull the tape back on itself. If adhesive sticks to the surface, try a 90-degree angle. If paint is pulling up with the tape, try scoring the edge of the tape with a razor blade before pulling further.
