First Time Repainting Investment Property - Put Tape on Trim but it is Pulling Paint Off

Debuting on 08/03/2020 - 17:16

I've only just started to put the tape onto the trim to avoid painting it, but I've already started to have some problems:

I put it slightly off the edge and repulled it back, to reseat it; but doing this has taken the paint off the trim…

Is there a certain product I can use to protect against this or is the old paint just too old and thin? I believe it is over 30 years since it was last painted as told by the old owner. I am going to have to use a small brush and fix the spots afterwards, but was wondering if there was a quicker or safer method.

I'm using the blue tape but it isn't the 3M one. Would 3M work better? I thought painters tape only works if you want it up for more than a few days. I've had it up for a few minutes and it's already messed up. If there isn't another method, I'll just have to cut the loss and dabble some small parts of paint onto the trim again.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • brendanm on 08/03/2020 - 17:25
    +4

    If paint is flaking off the trim that easily, you probably need to paint that as well?

  • Stewardo on 08/03/2020 - 17:34
    +5

    Trim probably wasn’t sanded back and primed properly before painting. Or wrong paint was applied to trim over existing paint.

    • Debuting on 08/03/2020 - 17:46

      Yeah, it doesn't look like it has been primed. I can see the wood underneath immediately. lol.

      • Stewardo on 08/03/2020 - 17:58

        The timber architrave or skirting would need to be sanded back and primed with correct primer to get paint to stick.

        • resisting the urge on 09/03/2020 - 01:01

          Even a cheap 'sealer' bulk wall paint will work if the unpainted timber/surface is clean and not super smooth. Just get rid of the flakey bits, sand back the edges in particular and finish up before smoko just like a pro ;-)

  • Euphemistic on 08/03/2020 - 19:04
    +6

    Try doing the edges without tape. With a bit of practice it’s a little slower to paint, but you don’t have to mask and remove so overall it’s quicker. You also don’t get any bleed under the tape.

    • thatonethere on 08/03/2020 - 19:24
      +2

      Amd if you over the lines if you are quick just wipe it off

    • Debuting on 09/03/2020 - 16:40
      +1

      I dumped the tape and got a $20 Monarch brush. It makes a huge difference to how good the lines are.

      • redvaldez on 10/03/2020 - 12:27

        I've painted my whole house with 50mm Monarch oval brushes. My first room was a shocker but once I got the hang of cutting in I could get some very neat lines going. Only time I used paint was in a tight spot against some laminated cupboards. Good luck!

      • Euphemistic on 10/03/2020 - 13:54

        Good move. It pays to shell out for good equipment sometimes.

        Now you’ve got a good brush look after it. I worked with a painter for a while, he cleaned out the brush promptly and used a wire brush to help brush out the excess paint. I’ve since taken up using the wire brush and it seems to help keep he brush in good condition. The other thing was to always keep the brush wrapped in a damp cloth when you put it down for a while eg drinks break)

  • Nugs on 08/03/2020 - 19:09

    Just because the tape is blue does not mean it is correct. The one I have most recently used is purple and is a seven day one (has to be removed within seven days).
    The brand is Bear.

  • askme69 on 08/03/2020 - 19:56
    +1

    Mmm the BLOCK has done a disservice to the painting trade.

    It harder than it looks and thats why it's a trade. The fact you can't die from it, doesn't make it easier.

    • Euphemistic on 08/03/2020 - 20:00

      Yes. Painting is easy. Painting well is not easy. It irks me how much they rely on tape.

  • bobbified on 08/03/2020 - 22:45

    Would 3M work better?

    I've personally found that the 3M one works better. I try not to leave the tape on for too long and peel it off after a couple of days as soon as the last coat is on (before that last coat dries). The longer I leave it on, the more it seems to peel.

  • Porker on 10/03/2020 - 10:34

    My personal experience with painting is to not go cheap. Cheap just ends up spending more elsewhere or spending more time. For example, a good brush can be the difference between one or three coats, and/or seeing streaks or not (which would require some correction via another coat)

    3M works a treat, if it's still too strong then tape it to your cloths and then rip on and off a few times to wear out the adhesive.

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