The key to a crisp, clean paint project is to 1. Select a good quality paint; 2. Clean and repair the walls first; and 3. Use the right painting tape for the job.
While choosing a good paint and cleaning and repairing the wall all make sense, often DIYers don’t understand how important it is to select a quality painting tape to meet their needs. Not all painting tapes are right for every project and choosing the wrong one can add time and hassle to surface preparation and clean up.
Consider these four points when selecting painting tape:
- Choose a tape that will quickly and easily adhere to the surface you are painting. Some tapes are designed for specific applications, while others can adhere to multiple surfaces like wood, plaster, stucco, drywall, metal, flooring, glass and plastic. Match your painting surface with the right tape because not all tapes can be used or removed cleanly from every surface.
- Make sure the painting tape is UV-resistant so that it can be used in direct or indirect sunlight. Some tapes will “bake” in direct sunlight and will not be easy to remove.
- Not every painting project is done in an afternoon. Choose a tape that can be left on surfaces for a weekend or a week. Tapes left on too long may take a lot of time and effort to remove.
- Choose a painting tape that can be used inside, outside or both. Using an exterior painting tape inside might have disastrous effects. Read the label before using.
So what makes a good painting tape? A great painting tape like Painter’s Mate Green® painting tape, is made from premium paper and backed with a one-of-a-kind adhesive with the strength to create a tight seal, while still easy to remove when the painting is done. It can also be left on surfaces for up to eight days before painting, so you’ll have part of a second weekend to complete your project. It’s also UV-resistant, so you can use it in direct sunlight. Remember, painting tape must bend to adhere to hard-to-reach areas, while forming a tight bond to prevent paint seepage. You’ll know how good your tape really is when you inspect the final results!