Tape: an Interior House Painter's Guide

Meandering can be a good thing, when it describes your path down the beach or through a farmer's market. Sometimes, however, you want the straightest possible line from point A to point B. When it comes to interior painting, a meandering line is the last thing we want! Instead, we want the crispest, straightest, cleanest lines we can get. How do you achieve this? Two words:

Painter's tape.

Now, it is not as simple as it might sound. There are some important steps you need to follow, and we have assembled some tips to help you through the process.

Painter's Tape Step 1: Before you brush

You will need a good roll of quality painter's tape. Go with a wide roll (2 inches is good), unless you are working in a small area where narrower tape is needed. Most painter's tape is blue, but Frog Tape has some excellent products with extra paint blocking technology, coming in green or yellow.

As always, cleaning the wall is the first step in the painting process. This helps make sure the tape and paint will adhere well to the wall, and it prevents hair and dust balls from ruining your fine finish!

When it comes to actually applying the tape:

• Use strips about 3 feet long, and make sure each piece overlaps the previous one where they meet.
• Begin by placing one end of the tape on the wall. Use one hand to pull the other end tight, and your second hand to carefully align the tape to the edge and press it against the wall. Take your time, as this is the most crucial step for beautiful lines.

Painter's Tape Step 2: Applying Interior Paint

Once the taping is done, it is time to begin painting. Like you normally would for interior house painting, you will use a brush to "cut in" around the edges of the wall, then you use a roller to fill in the open areas. When you do the cutting in, use a smaller-sized, angled brush (2 inches) whose bristles are in good condition.

As you apply the paint, keep these tips in mind:

• Run a finger along the tape beforehand once more, just to make sure it is consistently and firmly adhered.
• Do not trust the tape to hold back a flood of paint! In fact, try to get as little as possible on the painter's tape. Use a small amount of paint on the brush, and try to bring the paint up to the edge of the tape, rather than sloshing paint right across it.
• If the paint drips or pools at all, use the brush to tidy it up right away. Excess paint can seep behind even the best painter's tape.

Painter's Tape Step 3: Removing the Tape

Pulling off the painter's tape is a rewarding moment, as it reveals the new colors and lines in all their glory! It is not just a matter of grabbing and peeling, however. It needs to be done carefully and with the correct process.

There are two different times when you can remove the painter's tape. The preferable moment is very soon after painting, within 15 minutes if possible. This prevents the paint on the tape from bonding with the paint on the wall, which creates tearing and peeling when it happens. The other method is to wait a couple of days until the paint is thoroughly dried. Use a razor knife to cut a slight line at the edge of the tape, so that it can peel off without pulling off any paint.

If the paint is still wet when you peel, be careful not to let it come in contact with floors or other surfaces. Try to roll the tape into a ball, with the wet paint facing inwards.

Williams Professional Painting

Our best tip for saving time and energy, and for ensuring the best possible interior paint job, is to work with a professional house painting company. When you hire a reputable house painter, you can be assured of the most striking, pleasing results.

For more than 40 years, Williams Professional Painting has been serving Alexandria, Fall's Church, Tyson's Corner, Annandale, and the whole Washington, D.C. region. We provide superb craftsmanship at a fair price. Additionally, we back our work with an unbeatable warranty.

Call our office today, or schedule an estimate online, and find out why homeowners in the DC region prefer Williams Professional Painting for their interior painting needs.