I’ll admit it: I possibly paint my walls far more usually than is strictly necessary. And yet, I usually find myself forgetting to arrange all of the tools I would like before I begin painting. Now, I’ve already written about most of those items in the article I’ve associated to. However, I desired to have an entire article in regards to the first item on that record too. So today, we’re going to find out once and for all whether utilizing a paint look after is best for reducing immediately strains than painter’s tape.
There are professionals and cons to utilizing both of these methods. However, before we communicate about the drawbacks to using tape and paint shields, I’m going to inform you what they are, what you can use them for, and a way to use them to paint a straight line. Devoid of further ado, let’s just get into it.
Masking Tape vs. Paint Look after Uses
If we desire to assess which of these equipment is the most beneficial one for portray walls, we first have got to discuss what they do. Seeing as most people are more acquainted with tape than
paint shields, I’ll begin by way of explaining what painter’s tape is and what you could use it for.
First, let’s talk about the historical past of masking tape. It might not surprise you to grasp that the 1st masking tape became invented by way of a 3M worker in 1925. The inventor of protecting tape, Richard Drew, observed that regular adhesive tape turned into so strong that it generally left residue or even pulled off sparkling paint. While you obviously shouldn’t use protecting tape on fresh paint either, it’s meant to be a softer choice to duct tape.
Painter’s Tape Uses
Painter’s tape or protecting tape is an adhesive roll tape that’s generally incredibly simple to tear. Artists tend to use yellow crepe paper tape which is usually less sticky than blue painter’s tape. Drafting tape is also notable for family use and for temporary placement because it loses its carry relatively quickly.
On any other hand, blue painter’s tape (like this ScotchBlue one) is usually more safe than such a lot crepe tapes, at least if you use it correctly. Like crepe tape, blue tape is easy to tear, apply, and remove. However, it shouldn’t fall off on its own — and let me tell you, crepe tape does.
Now, let’s talk uses. In my article on wall painting equipment, I advised you to always keep painter’s tape on hand, even if you aren’t making plans on using it for masking. That’s because this product can do many stuff besides masking edges:
- You can use it to cover uncovered outlets, lighting fixtures, and different areas you have got to protect, no matter if you’re portray or no longer (many moms and dads actually babyproof wall sockets with tape)
- It might help hold down your drop cloth or the plastic tarp you throw over the furniture you can’t push out of the room whilst you paint
- Painter’s tape can adhere to extraordinary materials, adding walls, wood, plastic, and many more
- Some painter’s tape can also be used on freshly painted surfaces that are dry to the touch
However, most folk use blue masking tape to get immediately lines. Supposedly, painter’s tape is healthier at masking than steady drafting tape since it doesn’t leak. But
we’ll see if that’s surely the case somewhat later on. For now, let’s talk about paint shields.
Paint Guard Uses
Paint shields are skinny metal or plastic rectangles with handles along one of the long sides. They are able to have long handles which may attach to extension poles or have no handles at all.
Some manufacturers additionally name them trim or paint guards or even spray shields. For example, the second product I associated with above is a trim safeguard — so it’s in actual fact a slightly thinner edition of the preserve I associated before it. Still, no matter what you call them, they do the same thing.
The first time I explained how to use a paint guard was in my article on how to color trim with out tape. However, I plan on increasing on that afterward in this article.
Basically, not like the painter’s tape, paint shields are very nearly meant to do only one factor — catch paint. You’ll wedge them into the world you desire to guard then circulate your brush or spray the paint around the area.
As I’ve mentioned in my article approximately painting trim, you’d must preserve the preserve clean and circulate it as you cross along. That will not be the most handy solution, either. So all of which means as far as the sheer variety of makes use of is concerned — painter’s tape wins this round.
Guides to Using Those Equipment to Paint a Immediately Line
When it comes correct right down to it, your protecting equipment surely aren’t the sole things that matter when you’re painting. Personally, I’d be a lot more targeting my finish than on no matter if or no longer I’ve some drops of paint in which they shouldn’t be. Yet that may be because I’ve gotten used to having a minimum of one
mistake every time I paint my walls.
Still, besides getting the masking device of your choice, you additionally ought to have some other things in mind. So let’s discuss these before we move into how you can use your
masking tape and paint shields.
Tips That Work for Both Method
First of all, if you want which will paint a pointy line, whether you’re utilizing tape or a shield, you’re going to want to have each of the basics. In this case, the basics comprise the right paint and the right brush.
If you’re painting your trim, I defined which paint and brush you need to use in the article I mentioned earlier. Just remember to pair oil paint with organic bristle brushes, and latex paint with artificial bristles. Additionally, you could look at which different functions you should seem out for in my article about the best painting brushes for reaching a smooth finish.
You ought to also pay recognition to the kind of paint you’re using. The two kinds have a time and a place whilst you could use them. However, you ought to always ensure that you’re getting the foremost of your choice. To that end, I’ll just factor you to my article approximately how to hinder streaks when painting with a brush, wherein I defined what paint additives do.
Basically, if you upload a paint conditioner on your oil paint, it ought to drift on more easily. On the grounds that oil paint doesn’t dry quickly naturally, it doesn’t want the additive to decelerate its drying time. Conversely, that’s exactly what latex paint additives are meant to do: let the paint pass more freely and dry more slowly.
How to Use Painter’s Tape
No topic which masking device you’re using, you’ll want to prepare the room for painting first. However, cleaning the room is doubly as important while you’re handling tape. After all, the adhesive wants a good way to stick wherein you put it, not load up with dust.
After you clear the world in which you desire the tape to be, you ought to use long strips to guard the edge. Take the piece of tape with the two hands and set it wherein you want it. Then, press down along with your index finger, sliding it along one facet of the tape until you get to the end. After one aspect is stuck, you can take a clean putty knife or any other clean, flat tool (even a credit card might work in a pinch), press it down, and slide it alongside the size of the tape you simply placed down.
When you upload more tape, overlap every piece over the previous one to prevent leaks. If you’re putting the tape on glass, i.e., for overlaying windows, you may cut off extra tape with a utility knife.
Ideally, you would take the tape off while your paint continues to be wet. If you leave the tape on until the paint cures, it may avoid you from taking it off with ease. Still, if that ever happens, don’t worry: you can reduce alongside wherein the painted floor meets the masking tape with a utility knife to release the tape. In case you try to rip the tape off, you’ll take chips of paint consisting of it.
How to Use a Paint Shield
The right way to paint with a paint look after is to hold your brush in your dominant hand when protecting the paint guard within the contrary one. First, you’d wedge the thin metal look after against the skin you desire to protect. Finally, circulate your brush along the edge.
I necessarily advise wearing clothes you don’t care about getting dirty while you’re painting. During this case, you may wipe the excess paint off your preserve on your pants.
However, as long as you keep only 1 facet dealing with you, the returned floor should be safe.
Check out the way to use a paint preserve when portray exceptional surfaces, adding baseboards and window trim, during this video. Now that we have got that sorted, let’s discuss some of the cons of using those two methods.
The Drawbacks to Utilizing Those Methods
As I’ve outlined before, the main disadvantage of using tape is that it has a tendency to bleed through. Well, that and that the cost piles up fast, especially if you’re portray a large surface.
However, I’ve recently found a brand new trick I desired to share for stopping those ugly leaks. After using your tape, you can paint over it with an analogous color that’s currently less than the tape.
That way, the leak could be the identical color as the single that’s imagined to be there anyway. So you’d get somewhat of leeway with the subsequent color you wear there after the 1st one dries.
Now, obviously, this won’t paintings for all situations. Still, if there’s an opportunity that it may assist you achieve a crisper line, why not test it.
On any other hand, using a paint preserve also has its cons. For one, you’d need to preserve relocating it and cleaning it as you move along. Many people discover this inconvenient, so that they choose protecting tape.
Additionally, some paint shields are too skinny for some persons to handle well. However, I trust that that’s only a subject of practice.
Paint Guard vs. Overlaying Tape: Final Thoughts
So, after all of that, which protecting technique takes domestic the trophy? I’ve got to say, it depends. Overall, I think that using painter’s tape is more convenient. After all, you don’t have to head it round or clean it. However, it does tend to permit paint bleed through.
On the other hand, having a preserve maintains your tape expenditures low. Listen, they rack up when you paint your partitions often enough! Besides, you can even apply it to freshly painted walls, if you’re careful. Really, all of it comes down in your choice and your technique.
Personally, I like using painter’s tape when I’m prepping the room for painting, particularly around the baseboard. I just don’t use tape to guard the corners of my walls. Instead, I use the cut-in method, which I defined in my article approximately portray trim with out tape. Then if I mess up, I go returned and connect it with a paint shield.
Basically, what I’m saying is that you’ll have got to develop your own painting style, in a way. Believe me, when you’ve painted your partitions a few times, you’ll be making all of these calls instinctively.