Some parts of a painting project seem easier than others. Yet even hard-to-mask areas can be prepped quickly, easily and give you great results if you use the right tape and tools for the job.
Masking corners, windowpanes, interior angles and hinges can be tedious. ScotchBlue™ Painter's Tape Corners & Hinges
makes the job much easier because it's pre-cut to do the job right. It's also great for masking banister spindles.
Doing a Neat Job on Trim
Aside from walls, painting trim is the most common painting project. Neatly done trim can really make a great impression in a room's appearance, so it pays to know how to do it well. In fact, it's not all that difficult once you know the basics:
1. Prep the surface
Make sure the surface is clean, dry and dust-free. This will help the tape stick properly.
2. Tape usage
Pull tape off the roll a few feet at a time. Lay it onto surface to be masked and press down as you go. Avoid stretching the tape; this can cause it to lift up or break.
3. Stay put
Secure the tape by pressing the edge down with a putty knife or a 5-in-1 tool.
4. Removal
Remove the tape by pulling it back onto itself at a 45-degree angle and at a moderate speed. If adhesive sticks to the surface, try removing at a 90-degree angle.
Curved surfaces such as stair edges, rounded windows, or hardware and fixtures call for a tape with a crepe backing.
Crepe-backed tapes have a ridged or nubby (as opposed to smooth) feel to them. They are a little bit stretchy, so they conform well to curved surfaces. If you’re having trouble masking around curved surfaces, use smaller pieces of tape – smaller pieces can be easier to work with.
Still have questions?
Check out this Masking Tips Video
that demonstrates tips on how to mask well. You can find other answers to Frequently Asked Questions here
and a Tape Selector Chart here.
