This article will take an in-depth look at masking tape.
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This chapter will discuss what masking tape is, how it is used in painting, and how to deal with masking tape residues.
Masking tape is pressure sensitive, thin and very adhesive, easy to tear paper that is used in various tasks ranging from masking off areas that are not to be painted or as insulation for electric wires among other typical day to day applications.
The adhesiveness is the vital key element to the masking tape’s usefulness and it makes the tape to be easily removed without leaving any residues or causing any damage to the surface from which the tape is removed from. The tape comes with various widths depending on the intended purpose of usage, various strengths based on the type of adhesive used and is usually ranked on a scale of 1 to 100.
Masking tape fundamentally is made up of three layers called the backing layer, the adhesive layer, and an external release coat. The backing layer is made up of a saturated crepe paper. Crepe paper is commonly known for its stretching abilities and thereby allowing the tape to bend around curves and irregular shapes. The saturation enhances the paper’s physical attributes and increases color options. The crepe can be smooth or coarse. The smooth crepe is used for high performance products, leaves a clean paint line, and doesn't bleed through. The course creep is commonly used in day-to-day general-purpose applications where a clean line is not necessary.
There are two types of adhesives used and these are acrylic and a synthetic rubber. Acrylic adhesives are usually water based or can be solvent based. They make use of synthesized polymers to form an adhesive compound that is applied to the tape. Acrylics have a temperature resistance, solvent resistance, adhesion, ultraviolet resistance and a favorable durability.
Rubber adhesives on the other hand are made up of a synthetic or natural rubber. Those made from natural rubber have a semi to medium tack and are used for general purpose applications. Rubber adhesives made from synthetic rubber are formed by mixing specific synthetic compounds with rubber. They are medium tack and are usually meant for indoor and outdoor painting applications. Typically, rubber and synthetic adhesives have a medium to high initial adhesion, durability, resistance to ultraviolet rays, and temperature.
The release coat which controls the tape’s unwind values and consistencies is next. It also allows the tape to come off the roll easily and not stick on itself.
Masking tape is used in several various scenarios and each of these scenarios requires a different use for this multipurpose product. One of its main principal uses is painting. Using masking tape in a straight line is a relatively easy task but it requires delicate care to ensure proper application and also have a clean finish. It is imperative to start running the tape from the corner and work outwards unrolling the tape from the roll ensuring that each section is securely stuck before proceeding. A ruler or a straight edged measuring tool can be used to have a straight line and highly precise finish.
Once the task is complete, the tape edges must be removed. Never remove the tape until the paint is dry to prevent damages to the paint job through smudges or blur lines. For highly adhesive tapes, using a knife makes the removal easy and hassle free.
Several key factors determine the best type of masking tape to be used. Some are best suited for certain applications or environments whilst others are considered to provide a clean line for painting tasks or strong adhesion specific.
Length is not what determines a tape size since more rolls can be used if length is needed. Tape width and thickness are the factors that need to be brought to consideration. Both these factors are measured in millimeters (mm). Narrower tapes will make the task of masking tight spaces, small areas, and corners easier. Wider tapes are used for covering bigger areas and providing extra levels of protection from paint drips and splashes.
Adhesion deals with how sticky the masking tape is. Adhesion is dependent on the quality of the tape and the type of the materials to be used. This is beneficial as it gives an option that a less stick tape be used when dealing with a delicate surface or recently painted materials. Concurrently, higher levels of adhesive are required when applying the tape on a rough textured surface in areas where very high temperatures are experienced.
Painting is one of the greatest common applications, if not the most popular use. While applying tape to surfaces before decorating may seem like a simple task, it is important to utilize the correct techniques. Delicate care should be taken to avoid any gaps, lines that are not straight, or improperly stuck-down tape, as these common errors could lead to issues further down the line.
Preparing a room for painting, the primary objective is to make sure that the masking tape acts as a border being the area that needs to be painted and the rest of the room. Simply put, as soon as the whole room has been taped, everything within the created borders has to be painted. The top and bottom of the walls, the area where the wall meets floor and the ceiling or the skirting board, is sealed off to prevent drips. Other areas are all non-removable fittings and fixtures like the room switches, lights, and plug switches. If the paint is on a feature wall, be sure to mask it apart from the whole room to create straight lines across the different colors of the room.
Residues might be left behind upon the removal of the tape depending on the tape’s quality. Chances of minimizing the remaining of the residues on the taped areas are done by conforming to the following guidelines.
In case all else fails and some masking tape residue happens to stick on the painted surface, the following tips can be used to deal with the stubborn adhesive.
It is crucial that the masking tape be removed as soon as possible so that the adhesive layer does not stick on the surface. However, this has to be done once the wall is completely dry. Quick and clean removal of the tape will surely reduce the chances of residues being left behind and ascertain that the tape itself is easy to remove. If you happen to not be able to make a clean peel of the edge of the tape, use a knife to lift an edge, ideally starting from a corner so that you can make a nice and clean peel. When using the knife to remove the tape, exercise caution and by all means avoid scratching the new paint job.
To avoid accidental removal of the paint itself or any blurring of the paint edges, the masking paint should only be removed when the paint has settled and dried on the wall. It is very important to remove it if and only if the paint is touch dry to avoid damaging the paint work. Avoid removing the masking tape whilst it is still tacky or maybe still wet as this could complicate the task at hand and bring about drawbacks. It is also important to consider the different types of tapes used as some are manufactured to stick to surfaces for a certain amount of time without any drawbacks. Other tapes can stick on for as long as three whole days whilst others can stick on for very longer periods of time.
The best technique to prevent paint bleeding on the surfaces is achieved through the use of specialist painter’s tape rather than using a basic multi purpose masking tape. This type of masking tape is made specifically for the painting and has excellent water repelling attributes that aid the painter in maintaining straight lines and reducing chances of bleeding. Another easy tactic is to reduce the amount of the paint being applied near the masking tape. It is crucial to curb the amount of paint applied near the masking tape. Using too much paint on these areas will heighten the chances of a paint bleed happening. Paint drips are also likely to follow and lead toan unevenly patched paint job.
This chapter will discuss the different types of masking tapes and the different masking tape colors.
Masking tape can be classified into several categories and this results in numerous different types of masking tape that are suitable for a wide range of applications and different types of environments. It is vital to understand the critical differences between respective types so as to choose the best masking tape for the project at hand.
The common ways of categorizing the masking tapes are by considering the thin layer of the adhesive material used during manufacture. There three main categories of masking tapes used and these are silicone, acrylic, and rubber or a rubber resin. These types are explained in greater detail below.
Rubber-based masking tape is commonly used in a lot of general day to day application uses. It is made from natural and synthetic rubbers. This type of tape is very economic and provides a very strong bond in plastic materials.
This type is very reliable and characterizes very strong sticking properties and thereby making it a firm favorite. Unfortunately, the rubber-based adhesive has a serious weakness to temperature as it is not dependable in high temperature conditions compared to other alternatives.
An acrylic-based tape is best suited for use in extreme temperatures (high or low) and those more challenging and harsh environments.
The highly versatile and very adaptable acrylic-based masking tape can still work under constantly changing temperatures ranging from extremely low temperatures (below zero) to approximately 150°C.
A silicone-based masking tape also is ideal for use in extreme temperatures. This type of masking tape offers the greatest level of temperature resistance compared to other tapes. As long as the exterior material is not crepe paper or any other similar variant, the silicone tape can withstand environments with high temperatures as hot as 260°C.
The tape contains a very thin layer of silicone gel so as to make the product self fusing and thus forming a permanent bond between the joined materials.pe
Masking tape is obtainable in nearly any color desired. They are composed of the usual white and other uniquely colored tapes with brighter colors meant for other specialist applications. The color of the acquired masking tape is not always important consideration but rather you should make sure that you are aware of the color code and what exactly each masking color signifies.
The most common colors you may have come across or perhaps worked with are explored below.
The most common color for masking tapes is white. It is very discreet and is undeniably ideal for a very wide variety of day-to-day applications. White masking tape is commonly used by event decorators and design professionals together with hobbyists and DIY lovers.
Sometimes it is referred to as household masking tape. The white tape is very versatile and is well suited to a very wide range of applications.
Blue masking tape is very popular in the United States of America since it is the color used by most painters. In place of blue, purple is also used in the US as an alternative.
The painter’s tape and the material and superiority of the masking tape are more important than just the color when it comes to the general performance and the end result.
In the automotive and mechanization industry, yellow masking tape is dominantly used and is also used by painters. Because of its bright color, yellow masking tape is very visible even in areas of low visibility.
This means yellow is able to stand out against any colored background and this makes it more ideal to make labels and guidelines for painting.
This chapter will discuss the various applications and benefits of masking tapes.
The most common use of masking tape is in the painting industry. Masking tape is used to seal and close areas that do not need painting. The tape can then be easily removed as soon as the paint dries making the task easy and clean. Another adopted use is in the labeling of stuff. The tape can be stuck on laboratory equipment, school supplies, and food stuff in places where a variety of food stuff is kept.
The masking tape can be made of use in making handy party or event decorations. Various colored masking tapes can be arranged and folded in a festive manner to create classic decorations. Masking tape can be used for early childhood development as it is very handy if tactically used on charts and markings. Masking tape acts as a visual aid and if the colors are lined properly, they can prove to be useful. The tape can be used in creating visual labels even in work environments.
Another application for masking tapes is joining two electric cables. Masking tape can join together power cables and still add on an insulation that covers the naked wire and waterproofs joints.
Not only is it used to join cables but rather it can be used to join even materials of different nature. For instance, it can be used to join broken furniture or utensils in the home. The masking tape is also important in sealing moisture and other environmental agents. Since masking tapes are made up of 3 distinct layers, they do provide an airtight seal between joined materials that prevents interference from unwanted agents. Outdoor taping of equipment ensures that water or dirt is kept from disturbing the work done.
The use of masking tape in everyday applications does come with its upsides. Masking tape is favorable to be used because it is softer than home wallpapers and therefore is very adhesive to keep the wallpaper sticking to the wall.
The masking tape is also very suitable for construction sites and exterior decorations because of its moderate viscosity. Tape is also very convenient and quick to use because of its excellent adhesion and exceptional shield to most smooth surfaces. Masking tape is also a cheap cello tape like product that can be used in a wide variety of tasks. Masking tape also has an appeasing look and is quite handy.
Masking tape is also favorable in the fact that it makes the joining of two completely different materials possible. Because of its soft and thin characteristics, masking tape can be used to tie up and hold two or even more different types of material together for a very long period of time or permanently if properly done.
Another benefit of masking tape is that it is recyclable. Masking tape is a renewable product that can be reused in the event that it outlives its usage. The masking tape also is made from completely renewable resources and thereby has a low impact on the environment when it comes to resource utilization.
The use of masking tape also provides greatly desired structural strength. It can be used to play roles in the fastening of mechanical equipment like bolts, rivets and welds and keep the equipment in hold. Even moving parts can be securely fastened. For instance, it can be used in motor systems to hold materials like pipes or wires together.
Masking tape also has versatility in that it can be used in numerous other applications such as primers without leaving behind any edges that might seem queer and it also facilitate subsequent sanding
Masking paper though very useful in day-to-day applications does have its fair share of problems. For instance, when it is used in painting of surfaces, it tends to leave behind unwanted residues if carelessly used. If the tape is left stuck for longer periods of time than required, it tends to leave residue upon removing or even damaging the surface it’s removed from.
Furthermore, masking tape is not ideal when dealing with water-based paints. Despite it being resistant to moisture, masking tape tends to get altered by water-based paints to the extent that its adhesive layer breaks down the chemical composition and might end up leaving residue on the surfaces.
Masking tape can be expensive when used for large applications. For instance, when the task at hand is to paint a hall or a church-like building, a lot of masking tape is required to canvas the whole room. A lot of rolls are required in the process and are relatively expensive. Use of masking tape in painting is also a major set back if you can paint perfectly with a paint brush. The laying out of masking tape is a very time-consuming process and can make the estimated project time longer than expected.
Masking tape is very useful but has some areas of application where its counterpart, painters’ tape, is commonly used in its place. The following are some factors to consider when it comes to selecting the tape to use.
These two products differ in their applicability depending on the task at hand. The use of masking paper is usually meant for smaller tasks that do not require heavy duty sticking. Masking tape is used in simple tasks like binding dissimilar or disjointed surfaces together. A typical example is the joining of power cables or binding together numerous power cables so that they can be orderly arranged without tangling up.
The painters’ tape on the other hand can easily be used to seal off all areas of your workspace where you do not want paint to drip or spill over. The tape is also known to be tougher and offers an additional protection to the surface and make them more resistant and able to endure impacts without facing damage.
For an individual to be able to make use of masking tape for a task, there is no special skill or any technical expertise that is required. This is because the masking tape is easy to use and interact with.
On the other hand, painter’s tape is more complex than masking tape to handle and work with. The rationale is that this product is extremely tough and its handling is difficult.
As explained in the above sections, masking tape has a tendency of leaving behind residues on the surfaces it is used on. The adhesive used in material used in masking tape is not that powerful and with proper handling and procedures, it can easily be scrapped off. It is therefore very favorable when performing lighter tasks.
Painter’s tape has an unforgiving adhesive that leaves behind tough stains and residues if not dealt with carefully. The adhesive does not come off easily and can remain on the surface for a very long period of time. It is therefore practical to use the painters’ tape on mechanical and enduring tasks.
The typical masking tape comprises a thin skinny tape with a moderately adhesive side that sticks onto surfaces. Due to its simpler structure, the tape is easy to handle and can be used on various kinds of surfaces and it also provides a very dependable mechanical strength support.
On the other hand, painter’s tape however features a thicker base and a very stickier adhesive. This adhesive lasts longer and securely if not eternity and takes a considerably short amount of time to make a very strong bond.
Given the absolute strength and tremendous power of the painter’s tape, the associated costs are quite higher than that of the masking tape. It is therefore not economic to use the painters’ tape on a very big project as its costs definitely outweigh its outcomes.
In layman terms, masking tape and stronger painter’s tape are one and the same product. There are some similarities between the two products which makes the selection between them an important task. Painter’s tape is generically a sub type of masking tape.
Traditional masking tape is generally less sticky than the specialist painter’s tape. By comparison, the painter’s tape (which is usually blue) is commonly used for more specialist applications and also for the creation of very high quality and clean paint lines. Painters’ tape is subsequently designed to minimize the bleeding of the paint and peeling off of the surfaces. Masking tape consequently is used for basic and other various functions that are not cumbersome.
In summary, masking tape is a pressure sensitive and very adhesive tape that is commonly used in the sealing of surfaces before painting or other generic day to day functions. Masking tape is very useful in many various tasks and has a lot of advantages in contrast to its counterparts like painters’ tape.
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