Both masking tape and painter’s tape are made with a light weight paper backing that is easy to tear. Both tapes are used to mask off, or block, areas where paint is not desired. So, what’s the difference?
Growing up and helping my dad on paint jobs, we used the typical manila colored masking tape to tape off everything. Masking tapes have evolved. There are many tapes on the market for all types of wall surface textures and with varying strengths of adhesives. The paper backing has not changed much other than now being color coded for a specific job or surface. It is the adhesive that makes all of the difference.
Some of the top questions about tape are answered for your most successful paint project yet. There are also 10 tape hacks included.
What is the best tape for my paint job?
Here is a video done by Consumer Reports that compares different types of painter’s tapes.
Note: painting on a textured surface may change the results a bit. My favorite brand of tape to use is Scotch Blue Multi-Surface with Sharp Lines. I keep it stored in my old frog tape container to eliminate any dust or debris from sticking to the sides of the tape.
What is the best way to tape off a surface?
- Make sure your surface is clean and dry.
You want the tape to adhere to the surface and not just the lint or dirt.
- Press firmly down on the tape once applied.
Sealing the edges of the tape to the surface is critical if you want clean lines.
- Apply tape in manageable lengths.
If taping off around a window sill, for example, use small pieces of tape to get in all of the angles. Long pieces of tape may catch on themselves or pull off when you are adjusting positions along the wall or base board.
- Overlap your strips of tape so no area is exposed to paint.
- Remove tape before it is completely set.
If the tape is left on too long and the paint dries, it may pull up the freshly painted layer. Always remove tape at a 45° angle to minimize the pull on the painted surface. If tape is left too long and is pulling up paint from the painted section, use a sharp utility knife and run the blade gently along the tape seam then pull tape up.
- If you are painting a door that can not be removed from it’s hinges
Cover hinges with tape and use the utility knife to cut around the hinge for a precise shape.
How Do I Paint a Straight Line on a Rounded Corner?
Here is the post explaining how to paint rounded corners. We love videos, so here is the video as well.
Where else can I use painter’s tape?
- Put a strip of tape along the wall to mark on when locating studs. When done, simply remove the tape and your wall is mark free.
- Use tape to hold two pieces together while adhesive dries.
- Keep paint out of the deep groove around the edge of a paint can by placing tape along the edge prior to pouring paint out for use.
- Put tape down on a surface prior to drilling holes to make a cleaner drill mark and to protect the surface from friction marks by the drill.
- Put tape down on a surface to prevent scuffs or damage when working in a tight area. Also great to protect tile or glass from sharp tool marks.
- Use tape on a drill bit to mark the depth you want to drill. Great for when needing a hole the depth of your screw but not a hole that punctures the material you are drilling in to.
- Make perfectly clean lines while caulking baseboards or trim and when grouting.
- Hang decorations like party balloons or streamers without damaging the walls or leaving behind a sticky residue.
- Use to label items temporarily. Great for identifying your utensils brought to a pot luck!
- Become your first shoplifting experience. Yeah, I walked out of the store wearing the roll of tape like a bracelet. Completely unintentional and I caught myself and rushed in to pay for it. Phew!
Basically, painter’s tape is the upgraded version of masking tape. Tape is definitely an investment that you will want to make. Masking tape is often cheaper but does not hold up as well, or work on as many surfaces, as painter’s tape. The price difference is not much. You don’t need the most expensive tape out there, but just one that works for the task at hand. Having successful projects will lead you to try more projects. More projects accomplished around the home is a good thing. It means you are making a house a home. 💙
