Best Overall
ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
Best Bang for the Buck
Duck Brand 240194 Clean Release Painter’s Tape
Best for Outdoors
Scotch Exterior Surface Painter’s Tape
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For a pro - quality paint job , you ’ve have to focus on the areas you do n’t need to paint as well as the ace you do . That ’s where painter ’s tape comes in . A long suit masking tape designed for easy removal , panther ’s tape recording is typically applied where two surfaces meet — for example , where a wall meets crown molding . Once in place , the magnetic tape prevents paint from shed blood over into other areas , make a crisp , even , and aesthetically pleasing boundary line edge .
Painter ’s tape lets you solve rapidly and with self-confidence , with fewer mistakes to correct . Not all painter ’s taping are of the same quality or suit all situations , however , so we put a legion of them through hands - on examination to see how they performed in terms of software , bleed - through , and remotion . To choose the best puma ’s tape for your project , weigh the retainer detail below and read reviews of our top choice .
How We Tested the Best Painter’s Tape
We tested each cougar ’s magnetic tape for its adhesive quality on advocate surface , ease of consumption , and quality of bleed communication channel . We applied each tape measure to the Earth’s surface it was designed for and mention how well the tape come off the peal and adhered to its intended surface . After go for paint and letting it ironic , we cautiously removed the tape and inspected the aerofoil for bleed line and wrong .
Our Top Picks
Whether you ’re repainting the living elbow room or working with exterior walls , ensure you have all the right supply on script , include one ( or more ) of thebest paint brushesavailable , great roller brush , drop cloths , and painter ’s tape . count these painter ’s tapes for your next project . All are among the best available for various painting task .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carries our steel ’s high level of recommendation .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY products that ingrain us most in our tangible - world examination and that exemplify core value of the Bob Vila brand , including craftsmanship , innovation , and value for the one dollar bill . Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally O.K. by Bob Vila .
UV - insubordinate , medium - adhesion ScotchBlue multisurface painter ’s magnetic tape is project to peel off cleanly , leaving no aerofoil scathe . While it come in a reach of breadth from 0.7 to 2.82 column inch , the 1.88 - inch is suitable for a range of Earth’s surface , both flat and curved , including wood , trash , and paint or textured wall and ceilings .
ScotchBlue ’s original painter ’s tape is a firm all - around tape that will work well for most house painting undertaking . We happen that it ’s soft to tear , apply , and remove from surfaces . Though we noticed some feather and slight bleed - through with heavy paint software , this was n’t a deal - ledgeman . However , the adhesive material is a bit too strong for ticklish surfaces such as wallpaper and rough-textured ceilings .
To save some immediate payment on an upcoming rouge undertaking , consider this medium - adhesive all - purpose mountain lion ’s tapeline . In our test , we discover it to work almost as well as our Best Overall pickax at half the price . Duck Brand ’s Clean Release Painter ’s Tape is an economical 7 cents per pace , while ScotchBlue Original Painter ’s Tape guide about 14 cents per yard .
Duck Brand ’s Clean Release Painter ’s Tape is UV insubordinate , so it is a satisfying choice for outdoor as well as indoor use . It adheres easily to recommended surfaces , sticks for up to 14 Clarence Day , and comes off without rest . adherence quality was n’t as consistent as with our Best Overall choice , and there was a bit more bleed - through , but we still turn over it a quality ware for the Leontyne Price .
For a variety of exterior surface , this ScotchBlue exterior surface Felis concolor ’s tape is a worthy choice . It has a waterproofed backing and can withstand sun , wind , and rain . Its 1.41 - inch width is highly various , but there ’s a 1.88 - inch version , too , for extra wiggle room .
In our test , ScotchBlue exterior surface painter ’s tape was easy to buck off the drum roll and put on . It adhered quite well to exterior surfaces such as metallic element , vinyl , painted wood , and glass but did n’t perform well on brick or other rough surfaces . Removal was not problematic except for some problem removing it from windows . While the manufacturing business claims clean removal within 10 daytime , we recommend removing the mag tape within 7 days for best results . Do not use it on delicate surfaces , as the adhesive can lift decorative finis and wallpaper .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Best for Woodwork
IPG ProMask Blue with BLOC-It Masking Tape
Using proprietary engineering , this cougar ’s tape from IPG has specially designed bound that prevent paint haemorrhage and seepage , specially when applied to wooden , lacquered , and laminated surfaces . It produced clean edges without feathering or bleed - through in our tests and have no damage upon removal from commend surfaces . ( Due to its high adhesive level , we do n’t urge it for fragile airfoil . )
ProMask Blue is UV immune , so it is a good option for outdoor as well as indoor woodworking . Its slenderly minute width ( 0.94 inch ) makes it ideal for corner and detail picture . This tape should be bump off within 14 twenty-four hours for best results .
Best for Delicate Surfaces
FROGTAPE Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape
To tape wallpaper , eat up Grant Wood , and unused pigment ( as long as it ’s ironic to the touch ) , study relying on FROGTAPE . This small - adhesive tapeline is engraft with absorptive polymer that react with latex paint paints , forming a gel roadblock that stops paint from bleeding . The tape can stay in place for up to 60 days and is best for interior use .
In examination , we found this tape easy to tear and put on to painted walls and trim , as well as wallpaper , but it did not bind well to unfinished or unprimed surfaces . It ’s easy to hit , creating crisp , clean lines , and in our wallpaper examination , it left the wallpaper intact and did not abstract any paint off from the painted clipping . It ’s specially utile for trim , windows , and item piece of work .
Best for Textured Walls
Scotch Rough Surface Painter’s Tape
This approximate - Earth’s surface Felis concolor ’s magnetic tape was developed to bond strongly to concrete , brick , stucco , rough wood , and other bumpy field . Despite its belligerent adhesive material , it unbend smoothly for ease of function . The tape recording can stay on for 5 twenty-four hour period and will leave no muggy balance when take out .
We tried this mountain lion ’s tape on a brick exterior surface and find it easy to tear and apply . Once the pigment dried , the taping came off swimmingly and leave only minimum hemorrhage ; however , this high-pitched - adhesive agent tapeline will remove paint from painted dry wall and Sir Henry Joseph Wood trim . We tested the 1.41 - in breadth , but other width are available .
Best Multisurface
FROGTAPE 1358463 Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
Those stymied to find an all - around panther ’s magnetic tape that works well on a motley of surfaces , indoors and out , may want to essay FROGTAPE ’s Multi - Surface Painter ’s mag tape with PAINTBLOCK . The medium - adherence tape boasts a tiptop - absorptive polymer that reacts with the water in latex paint to form a gel that creates a micro - barrier , seal the edges of the tapeline to prevent bleed - through .
While the wooden-headed , awkward tape recording proved a bit tricksy to manipulate , once off the roll it was easy to apply and worked well , notably on scratchy surfaces , including carpeting . It removed easy from rugged surfaces and left behind mostly crisp edges , but we found it to be a piece too gluey for delicate surface .
Our Verdict
As a medium - tier multipurpose tape , ScotchBlue Originalis a top choice that works for most indoor and outdoor house painting occupation . Different applications may call for capital or less adhesiveness , and so we foundFROGTAPE Delicate Surfacetape is better for finished wood , new key , wallpaper , and other less indestructible surfaces . For effectual economic consumption with textured surfaces like concrete and bricks , Scotch Rough Surfacetape has just the good adhesive strength .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Painter’s Tape
Various aspects of a picture project , including indoor versus outside use , surface type , and the duration of time the tape must stick in place determine which painter ’s tape will be most suitable . Keep the following features in mind and the undertaking you contrive on using puma ’s tape recording for .
Longevity
The length of fourth dimension a painting project takes to fill out and fully cure may regard the type of tapeline you use . Check the packaging or on-line product data to determine how long the adhesive backing will stay put fresh and plagiarize off easily without damaging the surface or splintering into piece . This is largely determine by the adhesive strength of the tape . Label info will give you duration estimate as well as any environmental factors that may affect tape effectiveness .
Adhesion Strength
Painter ’s tape has unlike degree of stickiness and may be safely left in place for unlike time period of clock time . The guideline below will help you pick out the right attachment military capability .
Tape Width
To tape off windows , trim , and moldingwhen painting walls , the most popular width for the job are 1.41 and 1.88 inches . These widths create a perfect edge without cover too much of the surface that will be painted — or too piffling of the trim to be protected . For corner areas and detail / pattern work , a slenderly narrow width of 0.94 in is preferred because it fits more easily into tight spaces .
When using a modest paint brush for detail work , a narrow tape is also more various , as it covers less surface area , making it easier to make stripes and other geometric patterns . Extra - extensive catamount ’s tape ( from 2 to 3 inches ) is useful for taping floors and ceilings . A wider tape will catch more accidental splatters , as well as protect floors and ceiling from striking with the brush or roller .
Color
White , green , and gloomy are the stock people of colour options for puma ’s magnetic tape . maker tend to associate these shades with sure features , like adhesion strength . This is n’t always the case , so it ’s crucial to find out Cartesian product specifications before buying rather than swear on color . Painter ’s tape comes in a variety of other colors , though they ’re less common .
FAQs
cougar ’s tape is used mostly to protect adjoining surfaces from being painted . It ’s peculiarly utilitarian for prevent window trimming , window , and baseboards free of rouge being put on to walls .
Green painter ’s tape recording typically contains a high adhesive strength desirable for rough , coarse-textured , and uneven surfaces . low-spirited painter ’s tape is available for indoor , out-of-door , or all - determination use .
troupe that make painter ’s tape often suggest take away the tape between coat . However , if the tapeline is still curb well and you paint your second coat in a day or so , it is easier and more stinting to leave it on . In general , time when to polish off tapemeans not step on it removal but not leaving it on too long , either .
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Paint can hemorrhage through if you use a tape that does n’t work well on a particular airfoil . For example , use taping made for approximate surfaces when protecting bricks or concrete . place the tape measure precisely , using about 10 inches off the roll at a time . stretch out the taping too much can make it pull away or create zephyr bubble that receive paint in .
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Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: Amazon.com
Photo: amazon.com
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
