Learning to properly mask is essential for spraying. Preparation is key when is comes to spraying. Using the correct products and techniques for masking will ensure a great finish.
Picking the Correct Masking Tape
Be sure to pick a masking tape with easy removal, because they actually stick better than stronger tapes.
Precision line masking tape
Perfect for outdoor use and more precise work
Q1 Precision Line Masking Tape is a super thin paper masking tape made to deliver clean lines and sharp paint edges. It sticks amazingly on smooth surfaces, ensures superb adhesion and comes off easily without leaving any sticky residue.
Q1 Precision Line Masking Tape is a professional high-performance product, that is UV and water-resistant and is engineered for HPLV and airless paint spray. It’s perfect for precise high-quality spray-painting jobs, indoor or outdoor.
Masq Purple Low Tack Tape
Low-tack tape is made to be used on delicate surfaces. It is made to be used on freshly painted woodwork and walls. This tape can also be used on wallpaper or fresh plaster and sticks well to metal and wood. This makes it the perfect tape for fine finish spraying.
Masq Red High Tack Tape
Masq red tape is made for interior and exterior use. This tape is UV resistant for up to 120 days and temperature resistant up to 100 degrees. It can be used on wet and rough surfaces. This makes it the perfect tape if you’re spraying outside.
Make Sure to Clean the Surface you Want to Protect Before Masking
When you’re masking doors or windows or anything similar, make sure to clean the surface beforehand. You can do this with water and a cloth, make sure to dry the surface after. The masking tape will be applied more easily and cling better to a clean surface.
Masking Tape and Corners
To apply painter’s tape in corners, start by running the first piece of tape along the skirting board of the wall, through the corner, and up the perpendicular wall. Burnish the tape firmly with a putty knife, then cut along the crease with a knife. Then remove the excess tape. Repeat this process with the adjacent wall, starting about a half-inch away from the corner of the other wall, in order to keep your first tapeline sharp.
Use Masking Tape Before Applying Tape and Drape
When masking off larger areas masking paper and film are essential, especially if they already have tape on one side. Why should I use masking tape if my surface protection tools are pre-taped? Because it will make it easier and faster to remove.
In fact, applying masking tape first makes de-masking a lot easier, pulling off everything very quickly, and it will cling to the surface even easier.
How to Perfectly Remove Masking Tape
Don’t rush taking the masking tape off. Remove the masking tape gradually, holding the finish in a 45-degree angle from the wall or the surface. After the tape reaches the base of the painted area, pull it in a 45-degree angle down. If the tape is on the peak of the painted region, pull it in a 45-degree angle upwards.
The longer you leave masking tape on a surface, the harder it will get to take off. Unless you are using a low tack masking tape. This kind tape is easy to remove and won’t leave any sticky residue.
You can use turpentine to remove any sticky residue left by masking tape.
If the paint is too dry score the masking tape before pulling it off, especially if there are multiple coats. Use a putty knife before you pull it off. This will break any bond that has formed with the paint and ensure that the masking tape will come off easily without damaging the paint job.