However, with painter’s tape, the material and quality of the tape are arguably more important than the colour when it comes to performance and the finished result.
Masking Tape vs Painters Tape
Painters tape and masking tape have a lot in common. Many people opt to use masking tape instead of painters tape because it’s cheaper. Sometimes the substitution works just fine. But other times DIY-ers go to remove their masking tape and find seepage or residue.
When can you use masking tape, and when is painting tape your best option? By understanding the two types of tape, you can proceed with confidence — saving money without sacrificing quality.
What’s the Difference Between Masking Tape and Painters Tape?
Painters tape is actually a special kind of masking tape. “Masking” is the act of protecting a surface from change. In this case, you want to protect the wall from paint.
As a result, commercial masking tape and painter’s tape share many features. Both are:
- Made with crepe-paper backing
- Easy to tear by hand
- Easy to write on and use as labels
- Easy to find
- Used to achieve a straight, crisp line
The main difference is in the adhesive. Masking tape uses a natural rubber adhesive that can leave a residue or allow seepage. Painter’s tape is specifically designed to avoid these problems.
Each product has its strengths and weaknesses. The trick lies in choosing the best option for your project.
Here’s a quick run-down of the pros and cons for each.
Masking Tape Pros
Masking tape has many benefits. It:
- Leaves clean, straight lines
- Is easy to find
- Is cheaper than painter’s tape
- Is great for painting on window or canvas
Masking Tape Cons
On the other hand, masking tape also:
- Can leave behind a sticky residue that is hard to clean
- Must be removed within hours of application for clean removal
- Can peel up paint if it sticks to the tape’s surface
- Can buckle under water-based paint, which allows paint to seep below the tape
Painters Tape Pros
Painters tape also has many benefits. It:
- Leaves clean, straight lines
- Is easy to find
- Won’t pucker or buckle no matter what type of paint you use
- Can be left on a surface for several days after painting and still be removed without any problems
Painters Tape Cons
The only real con of painters tape versus masking tape is the price. For smaller projects, this isn’t a big deal, but on larger ones, the difference can start to add up.
While painter’s tape is the safer option for most painting, you may need to cut costs on larger projects or switch over to masking tape when working on surfaces such as canvas or glass.
When Should You Use Masking Tape?
Masking tape is easy to use and highly flexible, making it a great staple to have around the house. Get it out when you’re crafting, painting on canvas, or in need a bit of tape.
You can also use it when painting around your windows. Masking tape removes from glass cleanly enough that there’s no need to use the pricier painter’s tape for glass surfaces.
Masking tape also comes in handy in various life hacks:
- Use it to label foods, toys, boxes, etc.
- Attach torn hems or fix other wardrobe problems while waiting to get to the tailor.
- Pick up broken glass, particularly tiny shards.
- Use it as an emergency lint roller.
How to Remove Masking Tape Residue
In addition to seeping paint, the major danger masking tape poses to your walls is stubborn adhesive. As the tape sits on the surface, the adhesive settles in, becoming more and more firmly fixed. In extreme cases, it can even damage drywall as you struggle to remove it.
It’s definitely better to prevent the problem in the first place. Painter’s tape won’t give you the same headaches. Quality tapes also come with labels that indicate how long you can leave them on a surface before removing them. This clean removal time can vary from several days to several weeks.
But if you do find yourself wrestling with dried out tape, there are a few methods that may help loosen it:
- Warm water. Rub a warm, damp cloth over the tape. Wait a few minutes, and try to remove the re-moisturized tape.
- Hair dryer. Go the dry route, gently heating up the tape and softening the glue from several inches away. Then try to remove it.
- Soaps and lubricants. Commercial products can also help you moisten and reactivate the glue. Try products designed for use with wood.
Once you have the bulk of the tape off, you can work on remaining residue with a razor or a solvent such as Goo Gone.
What is Masking Tape?
Masking tape is a common type of tape used for varying applications. Also known as painter’s tape, it is comprised of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and an easy-to-tear backing material, typically a thin paper.
Masking tape is available in a variety of different types, including multiple widths and colours, to suit a wide range of uses and applications. However, it is primarily used when painting to create straight lines and protect areas which should not be painted. It is a popular product among hobbyists and professionals alike.
When was Masking Tape Invented?
Masking tape has been around for longer than you might think! Adhesive tape first appeared in 1845, but masking tape was invented in 1925 by an American named Richard Drew who realised the need for a gentle painter’s tape.
Drew was an employee of 3M at the time and 3M masking tape is still a market-leading brand today, nearly 100 years on from his revolutionary invention.
Types of Masking Tape
Masking tape can be categorised in several ways, resulting in multiple different types of tape suitable for a range of applications and environments. It is important to understand the key differences between each type in order to choose the best tape for the task at hand.
One of the primary ways to categorise tape types is by the thin layer of adhesive material used in their manufacture. Three main types are used – acrylic, silicone, and rubber or rubber resin. Each of these types is explained in further detail in the sections below.
