Painting Along Edges: Should You Paint With Tape? Here’s What to Know –

Painting without tape sure looks difficult, especially for non-professionals. Painting along edges without the protective border created by tape can prove nerve-wracking to those who don’t know that it can be done. As a homeowner, you might panic when you see your painting contractor not using tape on edges.

However, you should know that painting walls, ceilings, and trim edges without tape are possible. It’s a common practice among professional painters who want to work more efficiently. Many do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts rely on painter’s tape for painting around edges. Good news, they can also give the tape a pass and consider cutting-in paint. 

If you’re about to have some painting job, you might want to first know about the methods used in painting. In this article, you’ll learn about the difference between cutting with and without tape.

Painting With Tape

With this method, a painter’s tape with widths ranging from one to three inches is applied to the edge of two adjacent areas where one side will be painted and the other will not. The tape is attached to the non-painted area. When taping for painting, it’s essential to use low-tack painter’s tape as it can be removed easily and does not leave a sticky residue. 

To paint the area, the painter must paint lightly against the tape. The first coat must be left to dry thoroughly before adding a second coat. When the paint has completely dried, the tape can be removed.

Here are the main benefits of taping in painting:

• Helps create sharp lines and edges
• Helps amateur painters and DIYers paint edges easily

However, it also has some disadvantages, such as:

• The paint can bleed and penetrate the tape
• The tape can be hard to apply on uneven surfaces

Painting Without Tape

You might be surprised to know that most professional painters prefer painting without tape. Instead, they utilize the cut-in method, which is purely freehand painting. They also don’t often use metal masking guards. What they use instead is an angled sash paintbrush and a unique cut bucket, which is a small paint can with no lip. The painter draws wide sweeps of paint as close to the excluded area as possible.

There are two primary advantages to this method:

• It helps the painter finish more quickly.
• It is cost-efficient

Indeed, it comes with some disadvantages as well, such as:

• In case you mistakenly slip paint over on the excluded area, there’s no protection
• It requires a professional, steady hand.

Should You Paint With or Without Tape?

If you’re doing the painting yourself, it might be safer to use tape. However, those who will prefer taping over the cut-in method are inexperienced. Paint can make or break the appearance of your home. If you want to make the most out of a paint job and not waste your investment, it will be in your best interest to hire a professional painter or painting company. They know the best methods to use to ensure a top-notch paint job.