Types of masking tape. How to choose masking tape?

Non-standard applications

• Collect broken glass with the adhesive side of the tape.
• Small scattered parts or very tiny ones, such as beads, needles, etc., can easily be collected on the surface of the masking tape.
• Create various markings and inscriptions on the wall, including logos with a clear edge.

• A paper funnel is formed and attached to the wall to collect construction dust when drilling holes in the wall in the absence of a vacuum cleaner.
• If you need to measure a large length with a tape measure, and there is no assistant, then one edge of the tape measure is glued with masking tape and the measurement is taken.
• If you need to drill into a smooth surface on which the drill will slide, apply tape at the entry point of the drill and make a mark for drilling. The tool will not slip and you will make an accurate hole.

• Sealing old wooden windows for the winter.
• Crepe tape is used for sealing seams and joints, limiting the flow of sealant beyond the desired area.
• Pasting door panels during installation to avoid damaging them.
• Taping furniture during transportation with masking tape and bubble wrap in the absence of standard tape.
• Like a phone holder.

Main characteristics

Painting tape is an adhesive tape that can restrain paint from flowing and reliably protect the surface due to its textured surface.

The adhesion level of painter's tape is lower than that of ordinary tape; it does not leave marks and does not tear off the paint when torn off. The adhesion level is fixed on a scale of 1-100. For wall painting work, index 50 is sufficient.

There are a number of the most important characteristics of masking tape that are worth paying attention to:

• Material.
• Dimensions and weight.
• Marking.
• GOST

Types of masking adhesive tape

Depending on the number of adhesive layers, masking tape can be single-sided or double-sided, and based on the type of base it is produced:

• paper;
• fabric;
• foamed polyethylene;
• metallized (aluminum);
• bitumen;
• wax based tape.

Paper tape

Standard crepe, which is often available in white, has the following advantages:

• universal;
• comes in different sizes;
• easily torn off by hand;
• good stickiness;
• compatible with all types of paints;
• removed without leaving a trace;
• resistant to edge tears;
• wide temperature range.

• does not tolerate very high temperatures;
• sensitive to UV rays.

Heat resistant

This tape remains sticky even at 110–150 degrees, depending on the production technology. The limit of thermal exposure is 60 minutes, then the tape loses its strength and adhesiveness. Leaves no traces after removal.

The best performance is achieved by tapes with an aluminum base and acrylic glue. They are used for processing refrigeration equipment and sealing pipes. Such tapes are sometimes applied to various parts to give them a silvery tint. In addition, aluminum is an excellent thermal insulator, so it protects the glued material well from corrosion.

Reinforced tape

In common parlance this is TPL or “American tape”. The base is polyethylene with a fiberglass mesh, the adhesive layer is rubber. This composition makes the tape moisture-resistant, sticky to any materials, and resistant to tearing and stretching. In addition, reinforced tape is not afraid of abrasion and rust. It is used for packaging heavy loads and securing them on pallets.

For outdoor use

Outdoors you need not just durable, but completely waterproof tape. It is also important that the tape does not deteriorate when exposed to the sun. This property is found in UV-resistant crepes that can withstand even direct rays.

Double sided

This is a complete replacement for glue and fasteners. Differences - high strength, no odor, leaves minor marks that are easy to clean off. Such tapes are needed for reliable fixation to wood, metal or other rough surfaces.

There are three options for double-sided tape:

• PP is a foamed propylene base with a rubber adhesive layer impregnated with silicone.
• PVC is a PVC analogue of reinforced tape with glass fibers.
• Mirror is an alternative to screws, nails, and glue.

Masking tape material

The main type of material for masking tape is a paper base of crepe paper, onto which a layer of natural or synthetic rubber adhesive is applied.

This gave certain properties:

• Work at temperatures up to 80 degrees and above, in some species up to 120.
• Frost resistance from -10, but you need to check this on the packaging of each manufacturer.
• Excellent strength, removal from the surface with a “stocking” without torn edges.
• Moisture resistance and resistance to UV radiation (not for all types).
• Compatible with different types of paints and solvents (special tapes for car painting).

Also used as the main material are polyethylene, polypropylene, bitumen, fabric paper, foil, but for painting walls it is the paper crepe base that is used.

Recommendations for using masking tape

To achieve high-quality painting of walls using masking tape, you must adhere to some rules to avoid making mistakes:

• do not buy masking tape in reserve; its expiration date may expire before you start finishing work;
• It is recommended to store the tape at room temperature with moderate humidity so that it does not lose its adhesive properties;
• Before using the tape for the first time, it is recommended to practice on any surface for further even application on the wall;
• Remove the masking tape only after the paint has completely dried.

With minimal cost and preliminary preparation, adhesive tape will allow you to diversify the interior of your home by creating original color compositions.

GOST and marking

GOST 18251-87. This standard applies to wet-activated adhesive tapes used for gluing veneer, plywood, gluing cardboard boxes, gluing plexiglass and gluing telegrams.

The marking of the crepe tape is indicated in GOST.

The following grades of base paper should be used to make adhesive tape.

It is allowed to use other types of paper as base paper for the production of tape, provided that the quality indicators of the tape meet the requirements of this standard.

The tape must be produced in reels. The bobbin sizes are indicated.

The packaging of adhesive tape usually indicates: winding length, tape width, materials, scope of application, maximum permissible gluing times and some other characteristics.

Types by color

The following colors are available for different areas of application:

• Yellow, white – regular masking tape for gluing surfaces before painting.
• Blue - waterproof tape with latex coating for facade work during temperature and humidity changes.
• Green – heat-resistant for work at temperatures up to 80 degrees, has a better adhesive composition.
• Pink, purple - for delicate surfaces, such as plaster, wallpaper, freshly painted walls.

Always check the area of ​​application of the masking tape, and do not rely only on its color.

Protective film and paper with masking tape

Small reels, the top edge of which contains a tape with an adhesive layer, the bottom is rolled out, has a paper or polyethylene base. It is most often used for painting the ceiling to protect the walls from paint if the walls are already painted or have wallpaper on them.

Sold in any construction hypermarkets; several manufacturing companies are represented in the line.

5 reasons not to use cheap masking tape

1. It comes off during peeling.
2. It is thoroughly saturated with paint during its application.
3. Doesn't stick tightly, causing paint to penetrate under the tape.
4. It peels off poorly and leaves behind traces of glue that are difficult to remove.
5. It peels off along with the paint even after short contact with the surface.

You need to understand that masking tape is not intended to be applied for too long a period of time. It must be removed in a timely manner, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Otherwise, particles of dried paint or entire layers may come off along with the tape. As a result, the painting line will be unclear and the intervention of a specialist will be required to correct the defect, or the wall will have to be completely repainted.

How to choose masking tape?

See what the manufacturer indicates and how long you can stick a particular type of masking tape.

You can’t put tape on freshly painted walls right away; you need to wait a while, ideally a day. But if this time is not available, then at least 2-3 hours and use only special tape for delicate surfaces.

Quality checking. Method No. 1

Professionals strongly recommend refraining from buying cheap masking tape. If you have no experience, it’s worth doing a simple experiment. Stick the tape to some surface. Then paint it and peel off the tape once dry. This way you will see if the tape leaves any traces behind and if it takes away some of the paint.

Method No. 2

Pull the edge of the tape a few centimeters and firmly press it back onto the spool, and then pull this edge again. If it also moves away from the spool with force, then you have masking tape with good adhesive properties.

See the scope of application on masking tape; tapes for car painting are considered to be of very high quality, since very high requirements are applied there.

Choose certain types of masking tape with a density of 125 microns or higher. Be sure to look at the price of products from different manufacturers. Often, the more expensive the tape, the better quality it is.

Masking tape manufacturers and prices

1.
TESA
Used for painting walls inside and outside buildings. Allows you to get clear boundaries. This tape is used with all types of paints and varnishes. TESA tape can be easily removed even 8 weeks after paint application. Professionals note only one drawback: after using TESA masking tape, there is no desire to use other tapes. Cost: from 250 rub. Manufacturer: Germany.

2. 3M

Peels off easily and leaves no marks after removal. Adheres tightly to surfaces of any shape. Has a thin elastic base. Can be used at temperatures up to 80 degrees. Considered a professional consumable.

Cost: from 500 rub. Manufacturer: USA.

3.
FOLSEN
Has excellent quality. Recommended for painting work where smooth edges are required. Within 5 days it leaves no traces when removed. Rubber glue is used as an adhesive base.

Cost: on average from 240 rubles. Homeland of the brand: Latvia. Production: South Korea.

4.
SPINO
SPINO masking tape can be applied to plastic, wood and plaster. The adhesive base is made of synthetic rubber and leaves no marks. You can work with the tape at temperatures from -10 degrees.

Cost: from 100 rub. Homeland of the brand: Latvia. Made in Italy.

5.
Beorol
does not come off in pieces when peeled off. It does not leave sticky marks on the surface. Beorol masking tape can be applied to putty walls, wood, metal, brick and plastic.

Cost: from 120 rub. Manufacturer: Serbia.

You should also pay attention to Unibob and Dexter masking tape. Using them, you can achieve high quality painting.

Removing masking tape

Masking tape is intended for short-term work during installation or painting. Therefore, to remove traces of glue after a long stay on the surface, additional efforts and special means will be required.

Plastic

Methods for removing masking tape marks from plastic surfaces:

• 
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• Treat the surface with oil and leave for 1-2 hours. Then remove the adhesive with a cloth and wash with detergent.
• Using purified gasoline or white spirit. You must follow all instructions when working with these products, because they damage the top layers of plastic.
• Erasing glue with a regular eraser.
• Heat the surface with a technical or home hair dryer, then remove the softened adhesive layer.

Polished furniture

The sticky layer is removed from wood using:

• vegetable oil;
• white spirit - if the wood is untreated;
• stationery eraser;
• drills with special attachments.

Ceramics, glass, tiles

To clean chemical-resistant surfaces, all of the above methods are used, as well as:

• acetone;
• acetic acid;
• universal glass cleaners.

Professional cleaner Profoam 5000 removes tape marks from car body and other painted surfaces without damaging the paint or varnish layer.

Masking tape is a universal assistant in various areas. It is practically indispensable for finishing and construction work and is widely used in various fields.