How To Mask A Room Before Painting

How To Mask A Room Before Painting

One of the main determinants to the outcome of a paint job is the level of masking applied before painting. Taping off a room is time-consuming and you’re eager to jump right into the painting and watch the room transform before your eyes. However, masking is essential in ensuring crisp lines and sharp edges. It also protects the surfaces against paint splatters and gives an overall clean finish.

For a relatively small job, you can use regular masking tape. For extensive work, professional residential painters in Winnipeg use painter’s tape. There are different types of tape designed for different surfaces. Consider the type of surface that you need masked. Is it plaster, drywall, wood, ceramic, wallpaper or metal? You can get an appropriate one for that surface. There are also multi-purpose painter’s tapes that you can use on a wide array of surfaces.

The surfaces to be taped must be clean and dry, otherwise, the tape will stick to the dirt/water particles and fail to cover the area appropriately. Dust with a damp rag and wait for the area to dry. If you have any traces of the grease, wash them with a detergent solution or an appropriate solvent.

Areas to be taped

The areas that you’re painting determine the surfaces to be taped. If you’re painting the ceiling, you’ll need to mask the edges of the walls and the fixtures hanging from the ceiling. In the more likely scenario that you’re painting the walls, you’ll need to mask the edges of the ceiling, floor trim, door/window frames, sockets and any other fixtures attached to the walls.

Masking process

Apply the tape in short strips, approximately 1 foot long/30 cm each. If you try to cover the entire surface with a single strip, the tape will stretch and leave some surfaces exposed. Short overlapping strips guarantee a full cover. After applying the tape, press it down with a putty knife to seal it to the surface. This ensures that the paint does not seep underneath or the tape doesn’t peel off before the job is done.

Other surfaces

Some surfaces can be covered with paper. These are the areas that are not adjacent to the surfaces to be painted, but could still catch the paint spatter, like wall fixtures, electrical panels, and so on. Cover them with paper and then secure tape around the edges.

You can move the lighter furniture to a different room, and cover the heavier pieces. If you’re painting the ceiling, the floor needs to be covered. You can use cloth, canvas tarp or plastic sheet. Similarly, use tape to secure them in place.

 

Tape removal

Once the painting is done, the tape should be removed right away or else the tape will stick to, chip the paint, or leave a residue. Peel off the tape by pulling it gently towards you. If you have any areas where the paint has dried over the tape, use a blade to cut through it.

You can now stand back and enjoy the look of a fresh coat of paint.