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These tips will help you tape a room for painting the right way

A guide to using painters tape

If you love the thrill of putting up a new coat of paint, you probably see taping off the room as an arduous chore that stands between you and the accomplishment of those fresh, new walls. There are not only the baseboards and moldings to worry about, but also the doors, the windows, and even possibly some light fixtures, heating vents, and thermostats to tape off. Taping doesn’t have to be so frustrating, though, and with the right steps, you’ll be painting in no time. If you tape it right the first time, you’ll be enjoying your perfectly renovated room in no time.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

1 hour

What You Need

  • Damp cloth

  • Screwdriver

  • Tarps and kraft paper rolls

  • Masking tape

  • Painters tape

  • Putty knife

  • Razor blade

Red roller brush black paint on white wall
StockSnap / Pixabay

How to prep the room before taping

In order for your painter's tape to do its job well, and for your painting project to go smoothly, you have to prep the room even before taping. For example, you'll want to thoroughly clean the areas that will be taped prior to moving forward. Tape does not adhere as well when dust and grime are present, which will allow paint to seep and leak onto the area you’ve taped off.

Step 1: Use a damp cloth to dust and wipe down your moldings, floorboards, and other areas that your painter’s tape will be applied to.

Step 2: Allow the cleaned areas to dry thoroughly before applying the tape. This will ensure that the tape adheres well to the surface.

Step 3: Use a screwdriver to remove any light switch and power outlet covers and keep them in a safe place until your paint has dried and you can reinstall them. This keeps paint splatters off of the covers and prevents you from having to tape around each fixture.

person laying down painter's tape before painting
kurhan / Shutterstock

Use tape when covering your floors

Placing tarps on the floor will go a long way in protecting your hardwood or carpets from paint spills. But be aware that tarps will shift a lot during this process, and it can be difficult to keep them flush against your baseboard. It’s a good idea to purchase some kraft paper rolls for some added protection. Use masking tape to adhere them to the floor, right up against the baseboard. This way, when your tarps move an inch or two, your floors are still protected.

duct tape rolling on the floor
Ekaterina43 / Shutterstock

What kind of tape should you use?

Most indoor painting jobs can be done using standard painter’s tape. Multi-surface painter’s tape adheres well to walls and baseboards and doesn’t leave the sticky residue that masking tape does. However, a few types of paint jobs and surfaces may require the use of a more specialized tape.

Person using paint roller to coat a textured wall
sutiporn somnam / Getty Images

What to do about textured surfaces

If you’re painting on or around walls that are rough or textured, like stucco materials or brick, you’ll need a painter’s tape that is designed to adhere to this type of material. Scotch and Frog Tape brands have tape varieties that will stick to rough surfaces.

Living room with wall mural
Photographee.eu / Shutterstock

Creating painted designs

If you plan to have some bold stripes or stenciled designs on your newly painted walls, you’ll want to use a super thin painter’s tape that will make your painted lines look clean and precise. Scotch and IDL brands carry painter’s tapes that are designed to create sharp lines when removed.

Paint rollers on clear plastic tarp
stux / Pixabay

The best way to tape before painting

When it comes to actually applying your painter’s tape along edges, baseboards, and moldings, there are a few things to keep in mind. Following these tips will protect against leaks, drips, and seeping so that you can paint away the hours with peace of mind.

Step 1: Cut off your first section of tape. Keep your sections at about a foot in length and overlap them as you apply them along the length of your trim. Long strips of tape are difficult to manage, and you’ll end up with folds, creases, and ultimately uneven paint lines.

Step 2: Carefully position the tape before pressing it down so that it’s flush up against the edge of the area that will be painted.

Step 3: Avoid stretching the tape as this could cause it to warp and tear, allowing the paint to seep through.

Step 4: Be sure to press the tape firmly onto the surface using your fingers or even a putty knife so that it adequately adheres and prevents dripping.

hand painting ceiling with blue paint brush
Benoit Daoust / Shutterstock

How to tape corners

Corners can be tricky to tape and are often hot spots for drips and splashes if not taped properly. Here's a trick to make sure that corner is properly taped prior to painting.

Step 1: Cut a strip of painter’s tape that is about an inch longer than you need.

Step 2: When you reach the corner, use your fingernail or a putty knife to crease the tape up against the opposite wall.

Step 3: Use the putty knife or a razor to slice the tape off at the crease.

Man using blue painter's tape on wall
Daniel Besic / Shutterstock

How to ensure you paint a straight line

Painting a straight line can be challenging for the average homeowner, even with painter’s tape in their DIY toolkit. Thankfully, there are a couple of tips to help streamline the process.

First, having a level or ruler on hand can help you create straight lines as you lay the tape. You may need help from a friend or family member to pull this off, but it can help to have a longer, stiff instrument that won’t warp, bend, or lean as you place down your tape.

Alternatively, if you are only painting your walls or ceiling without any intricate murals, you should be good to lay your tape along the creases and corners of your space. Take your time as you go so you don’t end up with any funky bends or dips in the paint.

Also, as you tape off your upper walls by the ceiling, make sure you have someone to help you get as close to the crease as possible. This can be tricky when you’re craning your neck, but to achieve the perfect straight line, it’s best to hug the creases between your wall and ceiling for the most crisp results.

Painting is therapeutic for some people, but taping off the room isn’t enjoyable for anyone. While it’s no easy feat, taping before you paint is a vital step in the process. If done improperly, your paint job could look unprofessional, imprecise, and even downright sloppy. To avoid having to re-paint or clean up splashes and mistakes, use these tips to tape off your room the right way on the first try.

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Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
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