How To Use Painter's Tape Like a Real Pro

Let’s face it: getting your walls painted can be on the expensive side. Since we’re trying to save every penny that we can, it’s definitely more economical (and sometimes, a far better choice) to DIY. 

But what if you have little to no experience in painting? You might be wondering how the pros achieve those neat, sharp lines. Here’s where a roll or two of the blue painter’s tape can come in handy. 

MASKING TAPE VS. PAINTER’S TAPE

Some people tend to confuse the painter’s tape with masking tape. Although they might look and feel similar, a painter’s tape does a far more excellent job when you want to achieve precise and sharp lines when painting. 

Both masking tapes and painter’s tapes are easy to tear by hand since most of them are made with crepe paper backing. However, painter’s tape has a stronger backing since it’s meant to be removable without leaving any residues after a paint job. 

In addition, some painter’s tape comes with Anti-Bleeding Properties that don't wrinkle upon contact with paints. This ensures that the paint wouldn’t seep through upon removal. 

If your purpose is to get a professional-looking paint job, go for painter’s tape. However, if you’re a hobbyist or into casual DIY projects, then masking tape might be a better option for you.

TIPS ON USING PAINTER’S TAPE

Using the painter’s tape and even painting itself is not rocket science. But before you get started, always keep in mind these tips to help you achieve your desired results: 

• Different adhesives react to different surfaces. Always test a short strip of the tape to a small corner first to see how the adhesive will react upon application. 

• Use the painter’s tape on areas where you don’t want the paint to seep through such as the edges of your walls and ceilings, fixtures, moldings, and trims. This ensures sharp, neat paint lines after you’re done.

• Make sure not to touch the adhesive side of the tape too much as oils from your hands or any other foreign materials can contaminate the adhesive and lessen the bonding strength. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use painter’s tape more effectively and efficiently so you’ll save time and commit fewer mistakes:

1. Remove the excess dirt on the surface where you will be adhering to the tape. Although it can stick to textured and grainy surfaces like embossed and glossy paint, it would be best to clean the surface to ensure maximum adhesion.
2. Peel the tape from the roll. A painter’s tape is easy to tear by hand, but it would still be best to cut it with scissors to get an accurate and sharp edge cut. 
3. Conform the tape with the surface’s texture. Make sure that no gaps are present in between. 
4. The Blue Painter’s Tape is conformable, so make sure that you mold and press it against the surface’s bumps, curves, and empty areas. Cover any possible hole that may accommodate air bubbles. 
5. You can use your thumb, fingers, or a squeegee to push out any air bubbles and gaps. This process is crucial to prevent paint bleeding especially on the tape’s sides and edges. 
6. Allow the tape’s adhesive to cure for a few minutes before continuing in your paint job. 
7. Ensure that it has fully adhered to the surface to prevent bleeding.

WHAT IS THE BEST PAINTER’S TAPE TO USE?

There are tons of choices on the market, but we highly recommend the XFasten Blue Painter’s Tape. It comes in 8 different sizes so you’ll have more options to choose which size is the best fit for your needs. 

Here are the reasons why you should choose the XFasten Blue Painter’s Tape: 

You can also get our painter’s tape through our Amazon store.