Household Item Reviewer
06-28-2005, 02:09 AM
Masking tape is typically heavy white or cream-colored paper with adhesive on one side. It is used, as its name implies, to mask areas you don't want painted. It comes in various widths and adhesive strengths.
Steps:
1. Choose general-purpose masking tape for most around-the-house projects. Avoid using this type on surfaces finished with oil-based paints or lacquer.
2. Check the adhesion rating of the tape - you want it to stick, of course, but you don't want it to pull up the layer of paint below it or peel off too soon. These ratings are low, medium and high.
3. Apply low-adhesive (or easy-release) tape to wallpaper, bare Sheetrock and fresh paint.
4. Pick medium-adhesive tape for painted surfaces, metal, glass and sunny places.
5. Use high-adhesive tape on concrete, wood, dirty surfaces and enamels. Avoid using this type in the sun.
6. Look for premium-grade tape, which sticks better. It's a little more expensive.
7. Get painter's tape for painting projects. It's specifically made to keep paint from soaking through the paper.
8. Buy the blue tape if you absolutely will not be able to remove the tape within 24 hours - this is extended-time tape and it can be used in the sun.
9. Mask windows with 1 1/2-inch-wide tape.
10. Use 1-inch-wide masking tape on baseboards and molding.
Tips:
Keep your tape out of the sun. Ultraviolet light breaks down tape quickly.
Avoid using blue tape on lacquer, uncured paint, bare Sheetrock or wallpaper.
Steps:
1. Choose general-purpose masking tape for most around-the-house projects. Avoid using this type on surfaces finished with oil-based paints or lacquer.
2. Check the adhesion rating of the tape - you want it to stick, of course, but you don't want it to pull up the layer of paint below it or peel off too soon. These ratings are low, medium and high.
3. Apply low-adhesive (or easy-release) tape to wallpaper, bare Sheetrock and fresh paint.
4. Pick medium-adhesive tape for painted surfaces, metal, glass and sunny places.
5. Use high-adhesive tape on concrete, wood, dirty surfaces and enamels. Avoid using this type in the sun.
6. Look for premium-grade tape, which sticks better. It's a little more expensive.
7. Get painter's tape for painting projects. It's specifically made to keep paint from soaking through the paper.
8. Buy the blue tape if you absolutely will not be able to remove the tape within 24 hours - this is extended-time tape and it can be used in the sun.
9. Mask windows with 1 1/2-inch-wide tape.
10. Use 1-inch-wide masking tape on baseboards and molding.
Tips:
Keep your tape out of the sun. Ultraviolet light breaks down tape quickly.
Avoid using blue tape on lacquer, uncured paint, bare Sheetrock or wallpaper.