Prep Before Painting November 1, 2020 People generally ask the paint authorities at Dye Home Improvement… “Should you apply tape before painting?” The uncomplicated answer is “YES!” Even though the prep work before you paint isn’t the most awesome piece of the project, it is the crucial if you would like an effortless clean up and a good-looking final paint project. Depending on the area you are painting; prepping the area could change, depending on if there is old paint or if it is a new clean surface.You basically want the surfaces to be clean and smooth. Sometimes you might have to fill in holes or cracks with a patching plaster. Next, you will have to sand down any bumpy areas and wipe clean to remove any of the dust particles.If you haven’t already taken off the hardware such as door handles, or light switch plates, you will need to do that first. Then apply painter’s tape to defend these places from the paint splatters that the roller may produce or from brush painting. There are countless types of painter’s tape that you can use for the project. So, what kind of painter’s tape is the right choice? There is the traditional manilla masking tape that people have used for ages and you could still use if you have some. Today, companies have fabricated many kinds of painter’s tape that is notably designed for painting interior/exterior, and for different kinds of surface areas. Traditional manilla tape could leave a film if it is not removed right after you paint, within a few of hours. Also, because of its high adhesion it can occasionally peel off or chip some of the area being covered. And, if the manilla masking tape is left in continuous sunlight, particularly on windows, a chemical change happens in the glue, making it more laborious to get off. You might still want to try to finish the paint project as quickly as possible, but if you end up having problems removing the tape, try some mineral spirits to help. But instead of building more efforts for yourself, use an actual manufactured painter’s tape if you think you will want to leave your tape up for a longer period of time, and for effortless removal. Painter’s tape has a light-adhesive for painless removal and no left-behind residue. Should you use blue tape or green tape? Blue painter’s tape was first patented by 3M in the early 1990’s. 3M’s reasoning was to make the tape stand out from other manufacturers. Today painter’s tape is accessible in a mixture of colors. So the color really has nothing to do with the actual performance of the tape it does, however, add to establish the diverse adhesives and purpose of the tapes. Green or blue, the colors will chiefly vary by brand. Branded painter’s tape will have the thin and light adhesives, and should make it more easier to peel and less likely to chip or damage surface areas. The painter’s tape paper also has a more solid finish, to help constrain the paint from seeping through to the surface area.Branded tape is effortless to apply, it can help save on cleanup, and has a painless removal.Painter’s tape can painlessly secure and protect all of the items in your room such as light switches, windows and knobs, and more. Your lines will be crisper and your paint project could look like an actual paint pro finished it. So…In short…which color tape should you use? It really doesn’t matter. They are all comparable – but go with a professional tape that you trust. If you have any questions on different brands, just ask. You can also visit the paint professionals at Dye Home Improvement in Monticello and Monon for all your paint supplies; brushes, drop cloths, painter’s tape, and the top-quality paint you need for inside and outside applications. Paint, Valspar Back To Project Blog