The protective tape or masking tape It is a product that stands out in construction and painting work due to its rubber adhesive, which allows easy detachment without leaving a mark on the paint.
The paper tape It will help us to delimit the painting areas and cover all the edges of the floors and walls that we want to paint. Guaranteeing with correct application that the tape will not lift or leave sticky marks on any surface.
In this article we will address how to use masking tape step by step obtaining a neat finish.
1. Have the right tape
The first step is to have the right tape to start the job. The painter’s tape or masking tape, is the ideal product to carry out this task.
Other paper tapes may be specialized for mask exteriors oa different temperatures maintaining its functionality. However, we must check that we have the right tape for the conditions of the environment where we are going to work; since when using a tape with the wrong adhesive we could tear off bits of paint delaying the whole job.
2. Prepare the surfaces
Masking tape should be placed on dry, dust-free surfaces.
Storing the furniture in another space outside the work area is the main option, but if there is no other place to store it, we can place it towards the center of the room, leaving the walls and spaces free for taping.
Using plastic or cardboard wrap to cover floors and furniture that we do not want to paint is also essential during the preparation and coating of the environment. It is not recommended to use newspaper or fine fabrics, as it could cause the paint to pass through.
With a damp cloth we can wash the walls to remove dust before applying the tape.
The Scotch tape It will also serve at this point to join the elements that will protect the surfaces, obtaining a stable coating that will allow us to work with greater safety.
3. Vacuum and sand the floor
If we require painting the floor, it is necessary to vacuum it completely to remove dust and any residue before masking.
Using a random orbit sander is one of the best ways to achieve a professional finish. By making movements in the same direction as the wood grain, we will obtain a more precise sanding.
Once the surface is sanded, we must vacuum it again before masking.
4. Mask floors and walls
If painting of the walls is required, we must tape the edges of the floor to prevent the paint from falling on them.
We can start sticking the tape at a joining point between the wall and the floor, and thus cover all the surfaces where we are going to paint.
It is advisable to start by painting the frames, and once painted, tape them so that they are protected when we work on the surrounding walls or floors. With one hand we can stick the tape, and with the other we can extract it from the roll.
Locks, doors, windows and other objects that want to be protected must also be taped.
Cutting and gluing strips that do not exceed 50 cm in length will give us greater control when placing them on the surface.
To obtain greater precision, with a spatula we can go over the line of the tape, to ensure adhesion to the floor or wall and eliminate air bubbles caused by imperfections in the surface.
Recall that stretching this type of tapes could cause breakage, while peeling it off to accommodate it would decrease its bond strength.
5. Mask other elements
It is important to take advantage of the tape to cover other devices such as electrical outlets, switches, electronic devices, and other elements that protrude from the surface where we are going to work.
If the area has cracks and other work is necessary before painting, it is still recommended to cover the most vulnerable elements with tape. Once the cracks have been covered and the surface sanded, we can clean the area again to remove the residue and now apply the adhesive tape that will delimit the area to be painted.
6. Use different tapes to paint
Having tapes of various sizes gives us greater practicality when applying it. Using thinner tapes, depending on the surface that we are going to mask, will give us greater precision in lines and angles of reduced space.
A tape about 1 inch wide will be very useful for most jobs.
And although in another article we already focused on the types of tapes, we remind you of the most used for masking:
Curled or crepe paper tape: made of paper and with natural rubber adhesive. Its use is very common indoors to apply on surfaces that do not want to be painted.
Low Tack Crepe Masking Tape: Unlike the previous one, its adhesive sticks less. Ideal for painters who don’t want to risk ripping off the paint when removing the tape.
Outdoor tape: As it has an acrylic adhesive, it is resistant to sun and rain. Ideal for applying outdoors or surfaces that are exposed to the outside. It is easy to recognize by its blue color.
As a last tip, do not forget to remove the masking tape when you are satisfied with the surface worked. You can use the spatula to demarcate the edges of the tape with the surface, cutting with the instrument the adherence of paint that remains between them.
If at the end of the work there is any stain left by having left an uncovered spot on the floor, the surface can be cleaned with a cloth, scraped with the spatula and sanded again.
The Scotch tape It is an indispensable tool for masking floors and walls, making this item an essential product for painters and construction professionals.
Perfecting its use and application will save us time, guaranteeing the correct protection of the surface that we need to cover.
