Masking Tapes

Masking tape is a pressure-sensitive tape designed to adhere to a surface to protect it when painting. The type of adhesive used on masking tape is formulated to make it easy to remove without leaving a residue behind.

Masking tapes may be made of paper or plastic and will not allow any paint to pass through them onto the protected surface.

Masking tape is most often used when painting to prevent paint from getting onto a particular area. For example, you might use paintable masking tape when decorating to prevent wood paint on a door frame from getting onto the surrounding wall, or on a light fitting.

Masking tape is regularly used when spray painting cars or UPVC window frames for the same purpose.

Using masking tape has several benefits, including helping you save time, preventing mistakes and allowing for a clean, high-quality finish.

Although paper tape and masking tape are similar, they’re generally not used for the same purpose. Paper tape often has a weaker adhesive than masking tape, and is usually only used on smooth, flat surfaces like walls. Meanwhile, masking tape has a stronger pressure-based adhesive that can be pressed into curves and bends, making it easier to use on a variety of surfaces, including car doors and jambs.

Painter’s tape and masking tape are very similar products and serve much the same purpose, however, are used in slightly different situations.

Painter’s tape is most commonly associated with decorating – it is designed to be low tack to protect underlying paint surfaces and be easy to remove without leaving a residue or pulling away the paint beneath it. It may be called decorator’s masking tape.

Meanwhile, masking tapes are more typically used for spray painting work on surfaces that require a tighter bond to prevent overspray and are often used in conjunction with films to protect larger areas.

Masking tapes can be classified by their temperature resistance. The colour of your tape will often indicate the level of temperature resistance you’re getting. We have a selection of masking tapes with a range of temperature grades, from 80°C to 220°C.

If the right type of masking tape is used for a job and is applied correctly and then removed carefully, it should not peel off the paint.

One of the most common reasons for masking tape peeling off paint when it is removed is that the underlying layer was not fully bonded to the surface – for example, if the paint was applied to damp plaster.

If the tape is left in place for too long, the adhesive may degrade and cause it to stick more tightly to the underlying wall, in which case it will be more likely to peel paint away.

It’s a good idea to remove masking tape as quickly as possible after painting to avoid it leaving behind a residue or becoming more bonded to the underlying surface.

In practice, you shouldn’t have problems leaving masking tape in place for a few days.

To get the best results when removing the masking tape, it’s important to choose the right product for the job, apply it correctly, and then remove it at the right time.

Pick a tape that is right for the surface you’re painting on – whether this is a painted wall or a car panel.

Apply the tape using consistent pressure to bond it with the surface you’re aiming to protect. Use enough pressure to allow the tape to stick, but not too much.

The best time to remove masking or painter’s tape is when the paint is dry to the touch but not fully cured. At this point, there will still be some flexibility in the paint, and it should not chip.

Finally, remove the tape gently with a consistent peeling action rather than dragging it.

It’s important to remove masking tape at the right time. If you remove it when the paint is still wet, it can still spread into the areas that have been protected and ruin the end result. If you remove it once the paint has fully cured, the surface may be more brittle and chip as you remove the tape.

The best time to remove the masking tape is when the paint is dry to the touch but has not yet fully cured. This usually happens around an hour after you have painted. If it is still gummy, leave the tape in place for longer.

To avoid paint bleeding under the tape, start by painting over the edge of the tape using your base colour and gentle strokes. This technique will create a seal between the tape and the base coat and prevent any seeping from taking place that might allow the paint to bleed under the tape.

Different colours of masking tape allow the tape to stand out clearly against the background colours during application.

In some cases, manufacturers use different colours to differentiate between tapes that are used for different purposes or work at different temperatures.

Masking tape is designed to be used once.

Getting the best results relies on having tape which adheres tightly to the underlying surface. If you try to reuse masking tape, you risk the adhesive not working correctly which can allow paint to bleed underneath the tape and ruin your results.

Low-tack masking tape can be used on painted walls because the adhesive isn’t strong enough to damage the paint underneath. As long as you follow the instructions on your masking tape in application and removal, you should be able to safely use masking tape on a dried painted surface.

Low-tack masking tape is designed for application on finished and previously painted surfaces without causing damage to the paint job. It’s often used when applying a second coat of paint or for touch ups.