Should You Use Painters Tape?

November 1, 2020

People often ask the paint specialists’ at Schauer's Hardware… “Should you apply tape before painting?” The straightforward answer is By all means, Yes!” Even though the prep work before you paint is not the most fun part of the project, it is the essential if you would like an uncomplicated clean up and a good-looking final paint project.

Depending on the surface you are painting; preparing the area could change, depending on if there is aged paint or if it is a new clean surface.
You basically want the surfaces to be clean and smooth with no blemishes.
Sometimes you might have to fill in holes or cracks with a patching plaster.
Next, you will have to sand down any rough areas and wipe clean to remove any of the dirt and dust particles.
If you haven’t already removed the hardware such as door handles, or light switch plates, you will need to do that first.
Then apply painter’s tape to ward off these places from the paint splatters that the roller may cause or from brush painting.

There are an abundance of types of painter’s tape that you can use for the project. So, what sort of painter’s tape is right to use? There is the traditional manilla masking tape that society has used for years and you might still use if you have some. Today, brands have devised many types of painter’s tape that is specifically designed for painting inside, outside, and for different kinds of surface areas.

Traditional manilla tape can leave a sticky film if it is not taken off dang near right after you paint, within a couple of hours. Also, because of its high adhesion it can sometimes peel off or chip some of the surface being covered. And, if the manilla masking tape is left in continuous sunlight, specially on windows, a chemical change happens in the glue, making it more strenuous to get off. You will want to try to finish the project as quickly as possible, but if you end up having problems removing the tape, try some mineral spirits to help. Instead of creating more tasks for yourself, use an actual manufactured painter’s tape if you think you will want to leave your tape up for a longer period of time, and for painless removal. Painter’s tape has a light-adhesive for painless removal and no left-behind glue residue.

Which tape is better? blue or green? Blue painter’s tape was first patented by 3M in the early 1990’s. 3M’s reasoning was to make the tape stand out from the competitors’. Today painter’s tape is handy in a diversity of colors. While the color has nothing to do with the performance it does, add to establish the diverse adhesives and purpose of the tapes. Yellow, blue, or green, the colors will mostly vary by brand. Branded painter’s tape will have the lighter adhesives, and will make it easier to peel and way less likely to chip or damage surfaces. The painter’s tape paper also has a strong finish, to help prohibit the paint from going through to the wall.

Branded tape is simple to apply, it can save on cleanup, and has a painless removal.
Painter’s tape should surely protect all of the items in in the paint area such as light switches, windows and knobs, and more.
Your edges and lines will be neater and your paint project will look like an actual qualified and skilled painter finished it.

So…In short…which color tape should you use? It really doesn’t matter. They’re all similar – but stay with with a branded tape that you trust.

Questions?…just ask. You can also visit the paint professionals at Schauer's Hardware in Forest Park for all your paint supplies; rollers, tape, drop cloths, brushes, and the top-quality paint you need for interior and exterior applications.

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