Learn these 12 Genius Painters Tape Tips For A Perfect DIY Paint Job.
I wasn’t sure I’d have the guts to do it so I left it undone for the longest time. Blank and bare my door trim stood, for so long that I didn’t even notice it anymore. I tackled it this week. Since I was painting my own door and trim, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my favorite painters tape tips.
Oh, are you wondering what I didn’t have the courage to do?
Bring in a bold color on the trim and baseboards in our reading nook and bedroom.
Nope, no courage for going bold this time, but I did make my space look fresh and clean. At the same time I checked off an item that’s been on my to do list for a while and that made me very happy 🙂
Paint alone wouldn’t make me happy though my paint job had to look awesome, professional in fact. I always follow the painters tape tips I’m sharing with you today. They make a huge difference in how well a DIY door and trim paint project turns out.
Top painters tape tips that make painting easier.
See my Guide to Painting Over Dark Colors, for the best tips on how to paint over a dark wall or furniture paint color.
I always use FrogTape® brand painter’s tape when painting trim or walls that need a crisp and clean paint line. I’ve tried other products in the past and that didn’t work so well. Both FrogTape® Multi-Surface and FrogTape® Delicate Surface painter’s tape are the only paint tapes treated with PaintBlock®.
It reacts with latex paint and acts as a barrier to make the sharpest, cleanest lines possible. These two are the perfect go to choice for any DIY painting project that includes painting trim, walls and doors.
Prepare surfaces for painting trim and doors
#1. Always start with a clean surface. Wipe baseboard and trim to remove dust and dirt particles. This helps the paint tape adhere for a clean crisp edge.
#2. Once paint tape is applied, run your fingers back over the edge of the painters tape to seal the edges.
#3. When taping off large areas, slip the roll of painters tape over your wrist to keep it close and pull of the amount needed as you work. This is especially handy when painting ceiling molding and high trim while you’re on a ladder.
#4. Shorter strips of tape are easier to apply and don’t get tangled. Overlap the edges for easy painters tape removal. When removing the tape, start at the opposite end of where you began (where you finished), it will pull away in one long piece of tape.
#5. Small pieces of FrogTape work best around uneven decorative molding and curved edges.
Shortcuts for painting trim, baseboards and doors
#6. When painting baseboards, I put a row of tape along the baseboard at the floor and use a heavy cloth dropcloth. I place the dropcloth at the edge of the tape, not touching the baseboard. As I paint the baseboard, I move the dropcloth along with me.
#7. Ideally all door hardware should be taken off. But that’s not always possible. When painting over door hinges, place FrogTape paint tape over hinge hardware and trace edges with an Exacto Knife, peel away the excess.
You’ll get perfect coverage. Corners can be cut this way also, place the first piece of tape at the corner along a baseboard. Cut the excess off where it meets the wall, place the next piece of tape running in the opposite direction of the other wall.
FrogTape best practices
#8. Choose the right paint tape for the right job. Protect freshly painted surfaces and wallpaper with FrogTape For Delicate Surfaces. A freshly painted surface is one that is 24 hours old. Don’t apply any paint tape to freshly painted surfaces less than 24 hours old.
Best tips for removing painters tape
#9. It’s best to remove FrogTape when paint is dry to the touch or almost dry. Keep in mind FrogTape Multi-Surface painters tape is safe to leave on most surfaces for up to 21 days and 7 days in the direct sunlight. FrogTape For Delicate Surfaces is safe to leave on most surfaces up to 60 days. That’s good to know if you’d plan on taping your paint project off a day or two before starting to paint walls, trim or doors.
#10. Remove painters tape by pulling away slowly at a 45 degree angle.
I follow these painters tape tips every time I paint doors and trim. They are my favorite go to methods for getting perfect results every time.
Even though I chickened out on the bold color, the fresh coat of white paint on our doors and trim brightened up our reading nook. Our French doors and trim are now all the same color.
This made a big difference on how well our areas seamlessly connected. I haven’t shared pictured of the french doors or the entry before because they weren’t painted 🙁 But now you get to see them!
If you’re preparing to tackle painting a door or trim project in the future save this post. My favorite painters tape tips will have you taping off like a pro on your next DIY paint project:)
I love being creative, so does FrogTape. Click here for awesome FrogTape® painting inspiration!
Here are few more other creative tips and tutorials using Frog Tape paint tape products I’ve made too, Americana Knobs for a Patriotic Dresser, how to paint Paint Perfect Stripes every time.
Do you have a time saving or favorite painting tip you’d like to share? I love when readers contribute, plus I learn from you guys all the time. Leave a comment below and share your knowledge:)
12 Genius Painters Tape Tips For A Perfect DIY Paint Job
Use these genius painters tape tips to save time and effort. Make your next DIY paint project shine
Instructions
- Always start with a clean surface. Wipe baseboard and trim to remove dust and dirt particles. This helps the paint tape adhere for a clean crisp edge.
- Once paint tape is applied, run your fingers back over the edge of the painters tape to seal the edges.
- When taping off large areas, slip the roll of painters tape over your wrist to keep it close and pull of the amount needed as you work. This is especially handy when painting ceiling molding and high trim while you're on a ladder.
- Shorter strips of tape are easier to apply and don't get tangled. Overlap the edges for easy painters tape removal. When removing the tape, start at the opposite end of where you began (where you finished), it will pull away in one long piece of tape.
- Small pieces of FrogTape work best around uneven decorative molding and curved edges.
- When painting baseboards, I put a row of tape along the baseboard at the floor and use a heavy cloth dropcloth. I place the dropcloth at the edge of the tape, not touching the baseboard. As I paint the baseboard, I move the dropcloth along with me.
- Ideally all door hardware should be taken off. But that's not always possible. When painting over door hinges, place FrogTape paint tape over hinge hardware and trace edges with an Exacto Knife, peel away the excess. You'll get perfect coverage. Corners can be cut this way also, place the first piece of tape at the corner along a baseboard. Cut the excess off where it meets the wall, place the next piece of tape running in the opposite direction of the other wall.
- Choose the right paint tape for the right job. Protect freshly painted surfaces and wallpaper with FrogTape For Delicate Surfaces. A freshly painted surface is one that is 24 hours old. Don't apply any paint tape to freshly painted surfaces less than 24 hours old.
- It's best to remove FrogTape when paint is dry to the touch or almost dry. Keep in mind FrogTape Multi-Surface painters tape is safe to leave on most surfaces for up to 21 days and 7 days in the direct sunlight. FrogTape For Delicate Surfaces is safe to leave on most surfaces up to 60 days. That's good to know if you'd plan on taping your paint project off a day or two before starting to paint walls, trim or doors.
- Remove painters tape by pulling away slowly at a 45 degree angle.
J.A says
Frog tape only sticks to ITSELF unless you wet it with a damp rag. Even then it’s a royal P.I.T.A.
I have a love/hate relationship with that green stuff!
Wendi says
Hi JA! How funny, and yes, I get the love hate relationship between Frog Tape and the benefits of using it too 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tip about wetting it so it doesn’t stick to itself. I’ll have to try that!
Stacey Stucki says
What color did you paint your walls?
Wendi says
Hi Stacey! I used Revere Pewter from Benjimin Moore. I love this color, it’s versatile and goes with everything. Plus it looks good in different light. Hope that helps!
Lillian Schaeffer says
These are some great tips, and I appreciate your advice to put tape around the bottom of baseboards you’re going to paint. I’m going to be repainting my dining room, and I’m mostly worried about getting paint on the tile. I’ll definitely use a line of tape and a drop cloth to keep it off when I’m painting the edges of the baseboards. Thanks for the great post!
Wendi says
Hi Lillian & you’re welcome. I’ve used that method for painting baseboards several times and it’s quick & easy. Thanks so much for your visit!
Cheryl says
Love frog tape and have used these tips for years. When painting baseboards and run frog tape along edge on the floor I don’t use a drop cloth have found using a full piece of poster board slides on floor much easier than a drop cloth and no folds or wrinkles. I use poster board on a lot of my painting projects.
Wendi says
Hi Cheryl! Using poster board is a great idea! My drop cloth is cut and about 2 feet wide so it’s easy to slide but I like your tip too:) I may be painting some rooms soon and will remember this. Thank you so much for your visit & sharing your tip:)
Cheryl says
I use the poster board also when painting the bathroom. So hard to keep the floor covered behind the toilet. I cut my poster board tape it down paint drops don’t soak through. So much easier that way. I buy it at Walmart. Oh and the painters tape will pull off of it and you can reuse. I keep it with my paint supplies.
Wendi says
Cheryl…I’m going to think of you when I try this this fall! LOL Great tip & thank you!!
Patti says
FYI… if you have any texture (orange peel) on wall or not, run a moist paper towel along the edge before you start. It will actually get the gel on the edge of the tape to fill in the little gaps before you start painting.
Wendi says
Hi Patti – What a great tip, thanks so much for sharing it! I especially love that it works on orange peel, it can be really hard to get a crisp line on. Thanks again for taking the time to share your tip, I know other readers will appreciate it too!
Stacey Keeling says
What did we ever do without Frog tape? It’s amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. We are glad to have your talent here. 🙂
Wendi says
No kidding! I feel the same way. I use Frog Tape all the time as well! Thanks so much for hosting such a great party & stopping by to visit:)
Lauren says
Good tips! I am about to paint a bathroom, so these tips will come in handy. Your door and trim came out well!
Wendi says
Hi Lauren, So glad my tips will help! I’m sure your bathroom will turn out fabulous. Bathrooms are such fun to makeover! Thanks so much for your visit.
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
There is no painter’s tape out there that compares to Frog Tape – it’s my go to tape in the workshop. Great tips Wendi but I especially like the one about holding the roll of tape roll around your wrist. Love their shape tapes too – the chevron is my favorite.
Wendi says
Hi Marie! I completely agree with you on Frog Tape, it’s the best hands down! Glad you like my tips, some of these I’ve been doing for years, and it didn’t dawn on me that others don’t know them too:) The tape around the wrist is one of them! We did our huge ceiling crown molding in TX and I spent hours at a time on a high ladder tapping. If it weren’t for this tip, it would have been hours more I’m sure:) Thank so much for your visit!
Vanessa says
These are great tips. I didn’t even know the different colors of tape are for different things. Great tips.
Patty says
All good tips, I never thought of taping hardware on doors, I always ever so careful painted and cut in around them (what a pain). Your way so much easier and faster.
Thanks for the great tips, and I agree Frog Tape is the best.
Wendi says
Hi Patty, I totally agree, paining around the hardware is a pain! Try the door hinge trick next time you paint, it’s like magic! The edges are perfect and it’s fast! Hope your having a good week!
Christine says
Great tips on the using the tape. I loved the one about putting it around your wrist. I am going to remember that one!
Wendi says
Hi Christine and thank you:) I’ve been doing that for years and can’t begin to tell you how convenient it is to have the tape on your arm. It’s always fun to share these kind of tips, readers share there favorite ones and mine helps others:) Thanks so much for your visit!