{"id":2267152411,"title":"How to Use Blue Painter's Tape Like a Pro","created_at":"2017-10-05T11:18:53-04:00","body_html":"\u003cdiv class=\"description clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"How to Use Blue Painter's Tape\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2425\/6539\/files\/1-How-to-Use-Blue-Painters-Tape.jpg?v=1571856113\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainters, both professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike, know how helpful blue tape for painting can be when it comes to achieving professional results. This tape is blue in color and is ideal for painters, both professionals and DIY-ers. Before painting a surface, you can apply \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" title=\"blue painter's tape\"\u003eblue painter's tape\u003c\/a\u003e to edges, such as on baseboards or at the ceiling line, so you don't accidentally get paint on a surface where it doesn't belong. Quality painter's tape can also help you paint with clean lines so your painting project looks great every time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" class=\"button-primary\" style=\"color: white;\"\u003eShop Blue Painter's Tape\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTapeManBlue has collected some of the top tricks of the trade from professional contractors and DIYers to help even the most novice painter achieve a flawless look using blue adhesive tape. We hope that these tips help you use our products more effectively. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_bhQZNVgpLM?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"blog-content clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Do You Use Blue Painter's Tape?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet's start with a basic step-by-step guide of how to use blue painter’s tape, then we'll go over some tips for getting the most out of your tape. Using \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" title=\"painters tape\"\u003epainter's tape\u003c\/a\u003e is a simple process that involves five basic steps:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2425\/6539\/files\/3-How-Do-You-Use-Blue-Painters-Tape.jpg?v=1571856189\" alt=\"How to Use Blue Painter's Tape\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 1. Clean the surface:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\nBefore you even begin applying the tape, make sure the moldings\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand anywhere you plan to apply tape\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eare clean. Dust and dirt can prevent the tape from sticking. If the area is greasy and requires a more thorough cleaning, wait until the surface is completely dry before applying painter’s tape.\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 2. Apply tape:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\nOnce you have a dry, clean surface, you can start to apply your painter's tape. If you're painting interior walls, you can either start by taping off the ceiling line or the baseboard. Either way, start at a corner of the room and tear or cut off pieces of tape no longer than your arm. For corners, tear the tape at an angle to fit.\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 3. Smooth tape:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\nAs you apply the pieces of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" title=\"blue tape\"\u003eblue tape\u003c\/a\u003e to your borders, smooth it down with your hands to ensure it adheres well and that there are no wrinkles or air bubbles that could get in the way of achieving a clean, straight line. It helps to press the tape down and smooth it out as you go rather than applying a whole run of tape and then smoothing it.\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 4. Paint:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\nOnce your borders are all protected by painter's tape, you can start painting. You may find it easiest to start by cutting in, which means painting around the border and then filling in the rest of the wall. The tape is there to keep you from getting paint on the ceiling and floorboard, so it's fine to get some paint on the tape, but try to avoid getting too much paint on it.\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 5. Remove tape:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\nOnce the paint is dry to the touch, which typically takes about an hour, you can remove the tape. Pull the tape gently at a 45-degree angle. Once you've pulled a foot of tape off, grab the tape again at the base. Continue to pull all the tape off the ceilings, baseboards and anywhere else you've applied it, revealing your finished project.\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Are Some Tips for Applying Painter's Tape Like a Pro?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've gone over the basics, but to tape a room off like a pro, you may want to pay attention to these tips and tricks we've assembled:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCover outlets and switches:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\nYou can use \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" title=\"blue tape\"\u003eblue tape\u003c\/a\u003e to cover outlets, light switches and anything else that's in danger of getting paint on or in it. It can be easy to let paint drip into an outlet, for example, while you're painting a wall, but a layer of tape can keep that from happening.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUse paper or plastic for more protection:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\nUse \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/carpet-protection-film\" title=\"carpet protection film\"\u003ecarpet protection film\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/floor-protection-film\" title=\"floor protection film\"\u003efloor protection film\u003c\/a\u003e in conjunction with painter's tape to avoid splatter. This can be very helpful if you’re painting a surface with large trim or using a paint roller on the walls or ceiling. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003eSpeed up painting prep with an applicator:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003eContractors may use a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" title=\"painters tape\"\u003epainter’s tape\u003c\/a\u003e applicator to speed up the process of laying the tape. If you don’t have an applicator, try sticking a few inches of tape to the molding and then unroll about six inches. Hold the tape roll tight against the wall and rotate it down quickly to stick the tape. Repeat with the next section.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003eOverlap the tape generously:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003eTo avoid getting unwanted paint between the sections of tape, make sure you overlap your sections of tape. This is especially important in corners and uneven areas where paint may find an opening.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUse a tool to smooth tape:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\nWhile you can use your fingers to press and smooth tape, your fingers may get overheated or feel raw from doing this task for too long. Thankfully, you can also use a flat tool like a credit card or a putty knife to assist with the application, so your tape stays smooth and bubble-free.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBeware of uneven services:\u003c\/h3\u003e\nSince flat surfaces in older houses tend to be uneven, you'll have to work harder to press and smooth tape and make sure you have the protection you need. The best thing you can do in these cases is to avoid painting over the tape. When painting the desired area, don't bring the fully-loaded brush all the way to the tape. Instead, paint lightly when you get close to the edge.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUse tape to divide walls:\u003c\/h3\u003e\nIf you’re painting an accent wall, you can use \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" title=\"painters tape\"\u003epainter’s tape\u003c\/a\u003e to get a straight line at the inside corner where the walls meet. Start by painting around the corner with the first color. When that dries, mask off that side with painter's tape. Place the tape about 1\/8 inch from the corner, and you’re ready for your second color. You will have a nice straight transition between colors.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003eAs you work on your own projects, you may discover your own tricks for using tape for trim or other surfaces in a way that helps you achieve the results you're after. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"content-wrap clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue Painter's Tape From TapeManBlue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTapeManBlue knows the right tape can make or break a painting project.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\"\u003eOur blue painter's tape\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the best product on the market today. It's American-made and is designed to help you achieve the best results possible on your next painting project. We offer painter's tape at wholesale prices and free shipping on all online orders. At TapeManBlue, you'll find tape you can trust to get the job done right, every time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2425\/6539\/files\/05-Shop-painters-tape-from-TapeManBlue_1024x1024.jpg?v=1634149273\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tapemanblue.com\/products\/blue-painters-tape\" class=\"button-primary\" style=\"color: white;\"\u003eShop Blue Painter's Tape\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n \"mainEntity\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"How Do You Use Blue Painter's Tape?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Using painter's tape is a simple process that involves five basic steps:\n\nStep 1. Clean the surface: Before you even begin applying the tape, make sure the moldings and anywhere you plan to apply tape are clean. Dust and dirt can prevent the tape from sticking. If the area is greasy and requires a more thorough cleaning, wait until the surface is completely dry before applying painter’s tape.\n\nStep 2. Apply tape: Once you have a dry, clean surface, you can start to apply your painter's tape. If you're painting interior walls, you can either start by taping off the ceiling line or the baseboard. Either way, start at a corner of the room and tear or cut off pieces of tape no longer than your arm. For corners, tear the tape at an angle to fit.\n\nStep 3: Smooth tape: As you apply the pieces of tape to your borders, smooth it down with your hands to ensure it adheres well and that there are no wrinkles or air bubbles that could get in the way of achieving a clean, straight line. It helps to press the tape down and smooth it out as you go rather than applying a whole run of tape and then smoothing it.\n\nStep 4. Paint: Once your borders are all protected by painter's tape, you can start painting. You may find it easiest to start by cutting in, which means painting around the border and then filling in the rest of the wall. The tape is there to keep you from getting paint on the ceiling and floorboard, so it's fine to get some paint on the tape, but try to avoid getting too much paint on it.\n\nStep 5. Remove tape: Once the paint is dry to the touch, which typically takes about an hour, you can remove the tape. Pull the tape gently at a 45-degree angle. Once you've pulled a foot of tape off, grab the tape again at the base. Continue to pull all the tape off the ceilings, baseboards and anywhere else you've applied it, revealing your finished project.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Where Can Blue Painter's Tape Be Used?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Here are some examples of where painter's tape can be used:\n\nWalls\nBaseboards\nDoorframes\nCrown molding\nCeilings\nHardwood floors\nTile floors\nWindows\nWood furniture\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What Are Some Tips for Applying Painter's Tape Like a Pro?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"We've gone over the basics, but to tape a room off like a pro, you may want to pay attention to these tips and tricks we've assembled:\n\nCover outlets and switches: You can use blue tape to cover outlets, light switches and anything else that's in danger of getting paint on or in it. It can be easy to let paint drip into an outlet, for example, while you're painting a wall, but a layer of tape can keep that from happening.\nUse paper or plastic for more protection: Use masking paper or painter's plastic in conjunction with painter's tape to avoid splatter. This can be very helpful if you’re painting a surface with large trim or using a paint roller on the walls or ceiling. To provide even better coverage, use protective tape designed specifically for carpets and floors.\nSpeed up painting prep with an applicator: Contractors may use a painter’s tape applicator to speed up the process of laying the tape. If you don’t have an applicator, try sticking a few inches of tape to the molding and then unroll about six inches. Hold the tape roll tight against the wall and rotate it down quickly to stick the tape. Repeat with the next section.\nOverlap the tape generously: To avoid getting unwanted paint between the sections of tape, make sure you overlap your sections of tape. This is especially important in corners and uneven areas where paint may find an opening.\nUse a tool to smooth tape: While you can use your fingers to press and smooth tape, your fingers may get overheated or feel raw from doing this task for too long. Thankfully, you can also use a flat tool like a credit card or a putty knife to assist with the application, so your tape stays smooth and bubble-free.\nBeware of uneven services: Since flat surfaces in older houses tend to be uneven, you'll have to work harder to press and smooth tape and make sure you have the protection you need. The best thing you can do in these cases is to avoid painting over the tape. When painting the desired area, don't bring the fully-loaded brush all the way to the tape. Instead, paint lightly when you get close to the edge.\nUse tape to divide walls: If you’re painting an accent wall, you can use painter’s tape to get a straight line at the inside corner where the walls meet. Start by painting around the corner with the first color. When that dries, mask off that side with painter's tape. Place the tape about 1\/8 inch from the corner, and you’re ready for your second color. You will have a nice straight transition between colors.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What’s the Difference Between Masking Tape and Painter’s Tape?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Masking tape is intended for the same purpose as painter's tape. However, blue painter's tape, which may also be called blue masking tape for painting, is created to excel where masking tape falls short.\n\nNamely, blue painter's tape is designed to peel off more easily so you don't have to worry about it sticking to a surface. Even if you can pull the masking tape off without any problem, you'll likely have a sticky residue left that you need to clean off. With blue painter's tape, you can easily remove the tape when it's time, and you never have to worry about a sticky residue.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What is the Difference Between Blue and Green Painter’s Tape?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"The difference between blue and green painter’s tape is in the adhesive. Green painter’s tape is extra strength, while blue painter’s tape provides standard strength. In many cases, blue painter’s tape is all you need and comes at a cheaper price. For extremely rough or uneven surfaces, green painter’s tape may work better due to the stronger adhesive. But buyers beware—green painter’s tape may prove too strong and result in the surface you taped over being pulled up. Our recommendation when choosing between colors of painter’s tape is to stick with blue tape unless your situation truly demands extra strength!\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Is Blue Painter’s Tape Waterproof?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Blue painter's tape is typically not waterproof, which isn't really an issue when you're working indoors. However, that doesn't mean water-based paints, like acrylics or latex paints, will seep through. Painter's tape will keep these, as well as oil-based paints from seeping through.\n\nIf you're working on an exterior project and you want your painter's tape to be waterproof, you may be able to find an exterior-grade option that is waterproof.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"When Do You Remove Painter’s Tape?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"It's crucial that you pull off the painter’s tape at the right time — not too soon and not too late — so it pulls off smoothly, leaving a clean line behind. Removing the tape too soon can cause the paint to chip, and waiting too long can cause the adhesive to remain stuck to the woodwork. The rule of thumb is to wait until the paint feels dry. Drying time will depend on the paint you use, so read the label to see how long you should wait for your paint to dry.\n\nIn most cases, it will be at least an hour. If the paint still feels gummy when you touch it, it's too soon to pull off the painter’s tape. You may want to wait several hours or overnight to be safe. Just make sure you don't leave the tape on for too long or it may bond too strongly with the surface it's on, making it more difficult to remove.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"Does Blue Painter’s Tape Leave a Residue?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"In short, no. One of the things that sets blue painter's tape apart from other types of tape is that it does not leave a sticky residue behind when you pull it off. However, most blue tape for painters will adhere more strongly after a certain amount of time, so if you wait too long to remove it, you will have to work harder to get it off and will likely be left with a sticky residue.\n\nOur blue painter's tape is designed so that you can remove it up to 21 days after applying it, which gives a huge margin so you don't have to worry about your tape getting stuck to the surface it's on and leaving a residue.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"How Do You Get Painter's Tape off When Painting?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"Blue painter's tape is made to pull up easily when your paint is dry. This is the goal for all painter's tape when painting, but when working with other brands, you may run into situations where the tape is stuck and seems to be in danger of pulling the paint up with it if you were to pull it off. This can happen with any painter's tape if you apply too thick of a layer of paint over the tape.\n\nIf this happens, the simple solution to get painter’s tape off is to run a razor blade along the edge of the tape to score it. Then, you can pull the tape off the surface without worrying about taking your paint with it.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"How Long Should Paint Dry Before Applying Tape?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"This question comes into play when you're painting adjacent surfaces. For instance, if you're painting the ceiling and the walls or the baseboards and the walls, you'll need to tackle one of these first and allow it to dry completely before painting the other surface. This is so that you can apply painter's tape to the surface you painted first.\n\nSo, let's say you paint your ceiling. You'll want to wait at least 24 hours so it can dry completely before you apply painter's tape to the ceiling edge so you can paint the wall. Applying painter's tape to a surface that hasn't fully dried could mess up your results, so when in doubt, give it a little extra time.\"\n }\n },{\n \"@type\": \"Question\",\n \"name\": \"What Can I Use if I Don’t Have Painter’s Tape?\",\n \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n \"text\": \"There is no true equivalent for painter’s tape. If you don’t have any painter’s tape on hand, we recommend you hold off on your project until you can get some. This will result in the highest quality results.\n\nIf you need a painter’s tape substitute now and can’t wait, masking tape may get you by in a pinch. By using masking tape, though, you have an increased risk of the paint bleeding or leaving unwanted residue.\"\n }\n }]\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\n \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"VideoObject\",\n \"name\": \"How to Use Blue Painter's Tape | Tips \u0026 Tricks from TapeManBlue\",\n \"description\": \"Your how-to guide on how to use blue painter's tape. Explore more tips for using blue painter's tape like a pro here: http:\/\/bit.ly\/how-to-use-blue-painters-tape\",\n \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/_bhQZNVgpLM\/default.jpg\",\n \"uploadDate\": \"2020-10-07T17:44:19Z\",\n \"duration\": \"PT37S\",\n \"embedUrl\": \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_bhQZNVgpLM\",\n \"interactionCount\": \"1147\"\n}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c!--Video Markup Code Generated by https:\/\/videoschema.com\/ --\u003e","blog_id":2693791771,"author":"Rich Speeney","user_id":2909372443,"published_at":"2017-10-05T11:17:00-04:00","updated_at":"2022-04-29T08:36:25-04:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":"","handle":"using-painters-tape-like-a-pro","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2019-10-23T15:52:47-04:00","alt":"","width":870,"height":400,"src":"\/\/tapemanblue.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/257538316-propainter-r1-870x400.jpg?v=1571860367"}}
How to Use Blue Painter's Tape Like a Pro

How to Use Blue Painter's Tape Like a Pro

How to Use Blue Painter's Tape

Painters, both professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike, know how helpful blue tape for painting can be when it comes to achieving professional results. This tape is blue in color and is ideal for painters, both professionals and DIY-ers. Before painting a surface, you can apply blue painter's tape to edges, such as on baseboards or at the ceiling line, so you don't accidentally get paint on a surface where it doesn't belong. Quality painter's tape can also help you paint with clean lines so your painting project looks great every time.

Shop Blue Painter's Tape

TapeManBlue has collected some of the top tricks of the trade from professional contractors and DIYers to help even the most novice painter achieve a flawless look using blue adhesive tape. We hope that these tips help you use our products more effectively. 

 

How Do You Use Blue Painter's Tape?

Let's start with a basic step-by-step guide of how to use blue painter’s tape, then we'll go over some tips for getting the most out of your tape. Using painter's tape is a simple process that involves five basic steps:

How to Use Blue Painter's Tape

Step 1. Clean the surface:

Before you even begin applying the tape, make sure the moldings and anywhere you plan to apply tape are clean. Dust and dirt can prevent the tape from sticking. If the area is greasy and requires a more thorough cleaning, wait until the surface is completely dry before applying painter’s tape.

Step 2. Apply tape: 

Once you have a dry, clean surface, you can start to apply your painter's tape. If you're painting interior walls, you can either start by taping off the ceiling line or the baseboard. Either way, start at a corner of the room and tear or cut off pieces of tape no longer than your arm. For corners, tear the tape at an angle to fit.

Step 3. Smooth tape:

As you apply the pieces of blue tape to your borders, smooth it down with your hands to ensure it adheres well and that there are no wrinkles or air bubbles that could get in the way of achieving a clean, straight line. It helps to press the tape down and smooth it out as you go rather than applying a whole run of tape and then smoothing it.

Step 4. Paint:

Once your borders are all protected by painter's tape, you can start painting. You may find it easiest to start by cutting in, which means painting around the border and then filling in the rest of the wall. The tape is there to keep you from getting paint on the ceiling and floorboard, so it's fine to get some paint on the tape, but try to avoid getting too much paint on it.

Step 5. Remove tape:

Once the paint is dry to the touch, which typically takes about an hour, you can remove the tape. Pull the tape gently at a 45-degree angle. Once you've pulled a foot of tape off, grab the tape again at the base. Continue to pull all the tape off the ceilings, baseboards and anywhere else you've applied it, revealing your finished project.

 

What Are Some Tips for Applying Painter's Tape Like a Pro?

We've gone over the basics, but to tape a room off like a pro, you may want to pay attention to these tips and tricks we've assembled:

Cover outlets and switches: 

You can use blue tape to cover outlets, light switches and anything else that's in danger of getting paint on or in it. It can be easy to let paint drip into an outlet, for example, while you're painting a wall, but a layer of tape can keep that from happening.

    Use paper or plastic for more protection: 

    Use carpet protection film or floor protection film in conjunction with painter's tape to avoid splatter. This can be very helpful if you’re painting a surface with large trim or using a paint roller on the walls or ceiling. 

    Speed up painting prep with an applicator: 

    Contractors may use a painter’s tape applicator to speed up the process of laying the tape. If you don’t have an applicator, try sticking a few inches of tape to the molding and then unroll about six inches. Hold the tape roll tight against the wall and rotate it down quickly to stick the tape. Repeat with the next section.

    Overlap the tape generously:

    To avoid getting unwanted paint between the sections of tape, make sure you overlap your sections of tape. This is especially important in corners and uneven areas where paint may find an opening.

      Use a tool to smooth tape: 

      While you can use your fingers to press and smooth tape, your fingers may get overheated or feel raw from doing this task for too long. Thankfully, you can also use a flat tool like a credit card or a putty knife to assist with the application, so your tape stays smooth and bubble-free.

        Beware of uneven services:

        Since flat surfaces in older houses tend to be uneven, you'll have to work harder to press and smooth tape and make sure you have the protection you need. The best thing you can do in these cases is to avoid painting over the tape. When painting the desired area, don't bring the fully-loaded brush all the way to the tape. Instead, paint lightly when you get close to the edge.

          Use tape to divide walls:

          If you’re painting an accent wall, you can use painter’s tape to get a straight line at the inside corner where the walls meet. Start by painting around the corner with the first color. When that dries, mask off that side with painter's tape. Place the tape about 1/8 inch from the corner, and you’re ready for your second color. You will have a nice straight transition between colors.
          As you work on your own projects, you may discover your own tricks for using tape for trim or other surfaces in a way that helps you achieve the results you're after. 

          Blue Painter's Tape From TapeManBlue

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