So, I started painting my fiancees new condo yesterday. I had to get the kitchen done for the refridgerator delivery later today.

I spent hours masking off EVERYTHING. Taking care so that when I painted everything would come off nice and clean.

Now, I have painted houses before but its been years.

Here is the problem. When I pulled the masking, paint seeped under the masking. basically into all the grout and sealant around the tiles and cabinets. So now it looks sloppy in places and really pisses me off.

1) is there anything I can do to try and clean a lot of that up?

2) What can I do to avoid this while painting the rest of the house.

 

after you mask and are doing the edging, use a really light coat along the tape, then when you go back you can lay it on thicker because the light coat will seal with the edge of the tape and you won't get the bleeding underneath. Basically to problem is your using too much paint.

 

by light coat you mean water it down a bit it.

What about the grout. it seems like its absorbing the paint because its permeable...will a light coat help with that too?

 

Maybe the problem is the masking tape-- is it a good one (rather than an off brand/type), and fairly new, or is it old masking tape? The tape shouldn't be allowing the paint to seep into the area it's covering.

 

by a light coat a mean just a little bit of paint on the brush and spread it thin.

 

Yeah I realized that after I typed it


And Will, I only use 3M tape.

I'm going to slow it down A LOT and try and use an edging brush. I bought Purdy brushes. I just figured I would used masking tape and not have to deal with the PIA of edging...guess I realize I need to.

 

And the other prblem is the sealant/grout. Doesnt matter id the tape forms seals...that stuff just absorbed it. Also, the walls are very texted.

Im just going to slow down even more. Yesterday I went in after an hour of sleep and 16 hours of work at my normal job. I had to get kitchen done for appliance delivery....which I just found out sears called and said isnt going to happen after a warehouse fuck up...someone is getting shot.

 

you're not using the delicate surface tape are you? blue tape with a orange stripe on the package. it sucks.

i dont even really like the blue tape period. i prefer the old beige masking tape... they call it "contractors tape" now. it works the best IMO... which is probably why contractors use it.

the only problem with the stickier tapes is you can't leave it for more than a day or two. the blue shit you can leave on there for weeks... but thats probably why it doesnt work.

 

Yes, it is the delicate tape. I was being overly anal since its a brand new place. I gave the unopend roll to my finacee to exchange for contractors tape tomorrow when she goes to get the rest of the paint.

Thanks for the advice.

I also discovered I can clean up the little bits of seepage with my dremel tool with the wire brush bit. Works well, couple of spots I'll to touch up when I first started playing with it.

 

I agree with Soopa. The blue stuff is junk. Stick with a quality 3m tape (the beige stuff) It works much better. And remember to remove it soon after finishing. If you dont plan on coming back to it in awhile remove it.

I personally try not to use much tape. I dont like all the time spent using it. A good (like you bought Purdy) brush and the correct sizes i find i can cut in just as good in most places.

 

the blue 3m tape blows, it never leaves that nice edge like it shows on tv, no matter how hard you press.

i just use the square edger thing and also the purdy brush.

a good trick for trim is to use white caulk to make the line from the trim, blend into the wall paint. then use a brush after a couple days to paint the lines on the caulk

 

The beige masking tape is working very well. though I am trying to get away with using it as little as possible and slowing down and edging with the brush only. Its working pretty well.

The only other thing is I HATE PAINTING...now I remember why its been YEARS since I last did it. Next time...I'm just paying for someone to do it.

 

I generally try not to even touch the tape when painting and even when I do go over it with a brush, it's very light... This tends to eliminate any issues with paint getting under the tape. Sounds like you're using too much paint, Dave.


And I haven't had much of an issue with the Blue 3M tape. But again, perhaps my approach is a bit different from everyone else's...

 

I never use tape to cut in either. A well-done brush line looks better than a tape line any day, because the cut-in lines are never really straight anyway. I usually have to go back and fix up a a couple of spots but the time saved not taping more than makes up for it.

 

I don't think you are pressing the tape enough against the wall. I just painted 3 rooms and when I pulled off the tape the lines were near flawless. I used the blue tape multi-purpose & delicate in different rooms and didn't have a problem with either.

 

tape bleedin FTL