Whether you’re protecting the surrounding area or creating a modern design, painter’s tape is a must-have paint tool. If you’re working with multiple colours and/or painting near anything that could fall victim to your paint, it’s important that you use it.
There are many options available, but not all tapes are created equal. If you’ve been asking what’s the best tape for painting, this article will help you find the best painter’s tape by covering the following:
- 10 best painter’s tapes
- Key considerations for choosing the best tape for painting
- Blue vs. green painter’s tape: how to pick the right kind
- Best way to use painter’s tape
Before we get into the best way to use painter’s tape, let’s dive into some options for the best tape for painting. If you’re preparing to work on an interior project like drywall, also check out the best paint brushes for drywall.
10 best painter’s tapes
With the amount of different painter’s tapes available, it’s important to know which tape is best for painting your project. Here are our recommendations for the best painter’s tape.
1. ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.41 inches
Color: Blue
Best Feature: Pressure-sensitive
One of the best known brands of painter’s tape, ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape is a great choice for the average paint project. This tape has high-quality adhesive that will give you sharp lines and won’t leave any residue behind. It’s both a quality and a cheap painter’s tape and is just as easy to apply as it is to remove.
2. FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 3
Width: 1.88 inches
Color: Green
Best Feature: Made with PaintBlock technology
A top choice for green tape, FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape is ideal for anyone who wants quality results. As one of the best painter’s tapes for no bleeding, this tape is made with PaintBlock technology that keeps lines clean and eliminates the need for touch-ups. It also will remove cleanly from the majority of surfaces up to 21 days later.
3. Duck Clean Release Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 6
Width: 0.94 inches
Color: Blue
Best Feature: Versatile
Duck Clean Release Painter’s Tape is another great option for a variety of paint projects and one of the best tapes for painting edges. This tape is approved for both indoor and outdoor projects and is made to be UV-resistant. It features medium adhesion, meaning it applies fairly well to most surfaces and can easily be removed as well.
4. Scotch Rough Surface Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.41 inches
Color: Green
Best Feature: Clean removal
If you’re working on concrete, brick, stucco, or rough wood, opt for Scotch Rough Surface Painter’s Tape. This tape is designed with extra strength to help it stick to the roughest surfaces while still leaving no residue behind, making it the best painter’s tape for textured walls. It can hold up for 5 days before it’s recommended it be removed.
5. Painter’s Mate Green Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.41 inches
Color: Green
Best Feature: UV and sunlight resistant
Another option for a multi-surface tape is Painter’s Mate Green Painter’s Tape. This tape has medium-high adhesion – helping you get great protection on painted surfaces, wood, glass, metal, and vinyl – and it’s one of the best painter’s tapes for baseboards. It’s UV and sunlight resistant and removes cleanly up to 8 days later.
6. FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.88 inches
Color: Yellow
Best Feature: Low adhesion
For those looking for the best painter’s tape for delicate surfaces, you need FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape. Unlike its Multi-Surface counterpart, it’s made with low adhesion, meaning the tape can be removed without damage. It’s also made with PaintBlock technology to keep lines crisp, and it comes in a reusable plastic container for protection.
7. Scotch Delicate Surface Washi Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.88 inches
Color: Purple
Best Feature: Gentle adhesive
Another option for delicate projects is Scotch Delicate Surface Washi Painter’s Tape. The adhesion on this tape is very gentle, allowing you to use it on many surfaces without damage and making it one of the best painter’s tapes for freshly painted walls. It’s made with Edge-Lock Technology to give you great results, and it can be removed cleanly up to 60 days later.
8. IPG ProMask Blue Professional Painter’s Masking Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 4
Width: 1.41 inches
Color: Blue
Best Feature: Made with Bloc-It Clean Line technology
For those asking what is the best masking tape for painting, look no further than IPG ProMask Blue Professional Painter’s Masking Tape. This tape is made with Bloc-It Clean Line technology, making it one of the best tapes for painting lines. It can be exposed to sunlight without worries and can be removed cleanly up to 14 days later.
9. Shurtape ShurRELEASE Paint Masking Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.41 inches
Color: Blue
Best Feature: Easy removal
If clean removal is your top concern, check out Shurtape ShurRELEASE Paint Masking Tape. One of the best masking tapes for painting, this tape is specifically designed for multi-surface projects where easy removal is desired. It can also be exposed to sunlight for up to 14 days.
10. Scotch Exterior Surface Weatherproof Painter’s Tape
Image Credit: Amazon.ca
Quantity: 1
Width: 1.88 inches
Color: Yellow (has blue qualities)
Best Feature: Durable
Scotch Exterior Surface Weatherproof Painter’s Tape is arguably the best exterior painter’s tape. This tape works great on smooth and semi-smooth exterior surfaces as it features strong adhesion and durable, waterproof materials. It’s easy to tear and can be cleanly removed up to 10 days later regardless of the weather conditions.
Key considerations for choosing the best tape for painting
With the amount of options available, finding the best tape to use for painting can be challenging. Knowing the types of painter’s tapes outlined below will help you find the best painter’s tape for your project.
Choosing the right adhesion level
Adhesion is a really important quality in painter’s tape as what you use can determine how well it sticks and if there will be any damage. Here are the different types of adhesion levels:
- Low: Best painter’s tape for walls and other delicate surfaces that use wallpaper, faux finishes, and decorative paint.
- Medium: Common for multi-surface tapes and used on painted and unpainted surfaces.
- Heavy-duty: Ideal for exterior projects and stick-resistant surfaces like concrete and brick.
- Special purpose: Others tapes are available for specific coatings such as laminate or polyurethane.
Choosing the right tape width
The width of your painter’s tape will determine how well the surface of your project can be both painted and protected. These are the different widths available for painter’s tape:
- 0.94 inches: Ideal for corners and detailed or patterned projects.
- 1.41 inches: Should be used for trim, moldings, and windows.
- 1.88 inches: Also best for trim, moldings, and windows.
- 2-3 inches: Extra-wide varieties available; the best painter’s tape for ceilings and floors.
Choosing the right colour
Any colour of painter’s tape is usually a safe bet, but some benefits can be found in the different colours when it comes to specific projects. Here are the different colours of painter’s tape available:
- Blue: Usually more resistant to UV rays and sunlight and better protects interior tile and wood surfaces.
- Green: Best tape for painting straight lines, creating a tight seal, and not sticking to glass.
- Yellow or Purple: Colour used to indicate that it’s for delicate or rough surfaces/differentiate the tape from multi-surface tapes.
Blue vs. green painter’s tape: how to pick the right kind
When it comes to the debate on blue vs green painter’s tape, both types will help you achieve your goals for the average project. However, there are a few cases when it’s better to use one over the other. Blue painter’s tape is ideal for exterior projects as they’re typically the most resistant to UV rays and sunlight. It’s also the best at protecting interior tile, hardwood floors, and wooden trim. Green painter’s tape, on the other hand, is great for projects where a strong seal and sharp lines are desired, such as projects involving lacquer. It’s also the easiest to remove from glass. However, avoid using green tape on wet paint as it will take the paint with it when removed.
Choose blue painter’s tape if…
- You’re working outside.
- You’re working with interior tiles or hardwood floors.
- You’re working with wooden trim.
Choose green painter’s tape if…
- You need a strong seal.
- You want the sharpest lines.
- You’re working with glass.
Best way to use painter’s tape
Using painter’s tape seems like a straightforward concept, but it’s important to know the best painter’s tape tips to avoid mistakes and get the best results. Follow these guidelines on how to use painter’s tape to make the most out of your project.
- Clean the surface – Dust and then use a damp cloth to remove any dust, debris, or grease from the surface. This will help your tape seal better.
- Seal the tape – Run your fingers or press a putty knife along the tape to make sure it’s sealed to the surface.
- Keep tight to the wall – If applying tape to trim or anywhere on your wall, hold the tape tightly to the wall as you apply it. This will help you keep the tape straight and apply the right amount.
- Apply excess, then remove – When working with intricate, detailed surfaces, don’t be afraid to apply excess tape. Simply use a putty knife to work the tape into the edges, then use a utility knife to remove the excess.
- Paint around corners – If you’re painting an accent wall or something similar, apply your tape ⅛-inches away from the corner and paint around it. Even though you’re painting slightly past the corner, this will look more professional as your lines will be straight and crisp.
- Place small pieces around decorative molding – For uneven, curved projects apply multiple small pieces of tape around the curve until it is fully protected. This is the best way to protect these types of projects to properly seal the tape while also not wasting it.
- Apply the original colour along the edge first – An awesome trick to get crisp lines is to apply the colour of the protected surface along the edge(s) of the tape before applying the new colour. This will keep lines crisp, as the new colour will be unable to bleed under the tape.
- Score the edge when removing – If your paint has fully dried before removing the tape, use a utility knife to detach the edges from the wall. This will help you more easily remove the tape and avoid damage.
- Remove at a 45 degree angle – To cleanly and easily remove the tape, slowly pull it off at a 45 degree angle. Like scoring, this is important to avoid breakage and damage.
Now that you know everything about selecting and using painter’s tape, you can get started on your project. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and think you might prefer to hire a professional, the City Painters are here to help. Contact us here or give us a call for a free quote.