When do i remove painters tape

When peeling painter's tape from a tall, vertical area, it may be tempting to stay on the ground and peel the length of tape right off the wall.

Or if you have a long section of tape, you might want to peel it off in one long, satisfying strand. But as the tape you remove gets longer, you have less control. It's best to work in one-foot sections to remove painter's tape. Now, you don't have to measure out an exact foot.

The goal is to work in manageable sections that allow you to focus on peeling slowly and at 45 degrees. You can then either ball up the tape or rip off sections and discard them as you go. For the most part, the sharp edge of painter's tape should cut through the dried layer of paint as you peel it away. However, sometimes you may have a bit of paint that sticks, even with quality tape.

If you notice an issue like this, stop peeling. Take a sharp hobby blade or utility knife and slice the paint. Don't use too much pressure, or you'll risk damaging the surface you painted.

If you're concerned that you left the paint too long to dry or that the tape will peel up your hard work, you can score before you peel. Go along the tape's edge with a blade or putty knife to cut the paint away and help ensure a clean line. If you're still having a bit of trouble with proper tape removal, do some troubleshooting with our guide on why your tape is pulling off paint and learn more tips for a flawless paint job. Want to ensure you have clean lines and edges for every painting project?

Get your job done right with TapeManBlue. We offer quality, American-made painter's tape with just the right amount of stickiness. It adheres to surfaces to ensure crisp edges, but once it's time to remove tape after painting, you'll have a clean and easy removal. Trust our products to help you create a reliable, professional finish. Shop our blue painter's tape in bulk, available in various sizes, and get what you need for your next project!

Since , TapeManBlue has been a leading supplier of blue painter's tape , transfer tape , and surface protection films. American-made tape with everyday low pricing keeps our customers coming back. View cart. How to Remove Tape After Painting Feature walls, trim and edges — a clean paint line on these and other surfaces gives your project a professional, quality finish.

Let the Paint Dry Many suggestions for how to remove painter's tape go back and forth on this. Peel the Tape at an Angle Back on Itself Once you grab an end of your tape, start peeling at a degree angle.

Peel Slowly It may be tempting to peel off painter's tape in a rush and see the results of your hard work. Work in Sections When peeling painter's tape from a tall, vertical area, it may be tempting to stay on the ground and peel the length of tape right off the wall. Make sure you let the surfaces dry. This includes trim, baseboards, windows, tiles, etc.

Pull tape off the roll two to three feet at a time. Apply it on to the surface and into any depressions, laying each new piece of tape over the end of the previous piece. Or you can unwind a length of tape without cutting or tearing it off the roll and apply it to the surface and into any depressions. Then, unwind more from the roll and work your way across the trim.

In either case, press down on the tape as you go. Secure the tape by pressing the edge down with a putty knife, 5-in-1 tool, a rubber squeegee, an old credit card or your finger. If the wall surface is textured, seal the edge of the tape with the existing base color of the wall. This will help prevent the new paint color from seeping under the tape.

When the last coat has been applied, carefully remove the tape. This helps prevent paint from bridging over the tape and peeling when you remove it. When latex paint begins to dry, it becomes rubbery and has a tendency to pull or stretch, which could mess up the crisp lines of the masking and defeat the purpose of the tape. Try scoring the edge of the tape with a razor blade before pulling further if paint is pulling up with the tape.

Clean up There may be tape residue left on the surface; this can be fixed. Use a sponge and a mild detergent, soap and water, window cleaning fluid, or a citrus-based cleaner and gently remove the residue.

Be sure paint is completely dry before removing residue. Join our mailing list Leave this field blank.