Masking and Blue tape ripping off paint

n0c7 · 10-21-2009, 01:45 AM

I've learned from experience that your issue is tape. NAV nailed it. Only use tape as a safeguard incase you miss. Too many people, including myself always start out thinking that you can just slop paint into a corner and remove the tape even if its wet. This does not work and will leave you with a nasty looking edge from all the paint that bleeds through, dries behind(if you leave it long enough), or what gets ripped off the wall from the tape adhesive. It takes alot of practice to get good at cutting in to edges, but you'll get better results and actually save time and money.

Toe · 10-21-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0c7

It takes alot of practice to get good at cutting in to edges, but you'll get better results and actually save time and money.

Totally agree, but you don't have to be 100% perfect. Even seasoned pros get paint in weird places sometimes; even if everything is taped... it is a liquid after all.

When I started on a painting crew, the first thing they told me was to always carry a putty knife. Shortly after that, they told me to always carry a moistened rag when cutting (not a bad idea when rolling either).

If you slop a little paint where it shouldn't be, especially on wood, just wrap the moist rag tightly around the putty knife blade and gently (but with pressure) scrape off the stray paint. The rag picks it all up perfectly.

The only trick is to do it instantly, or the paint starts to bond. That's why you need to have the rag on hand before you even start.

Oh, and of course make sure to use a new part of the rag for every cleanup.

n0c7 · 10-21-2009, 03:09 PM

Good tips, thanks Toe.

LeviDIY · 10-21-2009, 03:11 PM

All VERY helpful, thanks! I gotta get good at using that cut in technique!

chrisn · 10-21-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toe

Totally agree, but you don't have to be 100% perfect. Even seasoned pros get paint in weird places sometimes; even if everything is taped... it is a liquid after all.

So true

When I started on a painting crew, the first thing they told me was to always carry a putty knife. Shortly after that, they told me to always carry a moistened rag when cutting (not a bad idea when rolling either).

If you slop a little paint where it shouldn't be, especially on wood, just wrap the moist rag tightly around the putty knife blade and gently (but with pressure) scrape off the stray paint. The rag picks it all up perfectly.

The only trick is to do it instantly, or the paint starts to bond. That's why you need to have the rag on hand before you even start.

Oh, and of course make sure to use a new part of the rag for every cleanup.

Also good points

Toe · 10-21-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeviDIY

All VERY helpful, thanks! I gotta get good at using that cut in technique!

Another tip for cutting... use a big brush. We used thick 6" brushes on the crew I worked on.

I thought they were crazy at first, but eventually I got it. With a small brush, you carry less paint, so you have to do more strokes, which increases the chances of your going off the line. Not just more vertical strokes, but you also end up doing more strokes for every vertical inch, since you want to build out a little from where the roller will get. Again increasing the chance you'll stray from the desired area.

And the fact that the 6" holds more paint is just plain useful all around.

The only time my crew ever used smaller brushes for interior paint was in spots where it was physically impossible to fit a 6" brush.