
Tape the areas you want to protect.
- In general, you'll want to apply tape around all of the trim, baseboards, door frames, window casings, and crown moldings. ...
- When you're applying tape, apply it flush with and as close as possible to the surface you'll be painting. ...
- If you're painting multiple surfaces, always make sure fresh paint is fully cured before you apply tape to the surface. ...
How do you tape a wall before painting?
Start to frame off the area where you’re going to paint by carefully placing tape flush with the wall. Overlap each piece a little bit to ensure there are no gaps, and be careful not to stretch the tape as you apply it, as this may cause it to leak.
How do you paint the inside of a window?
Allow the primer to dry completely. For narrow strips of trim, frame or grilles, or for painting fine details like a corner, use a small 1½-inch angled paintbrush. Use a large 2½-inch angled paintbrush for bigger areas of the window molding. Start from the inside edge and work your way outward, painting toward the wall.
How do you tape around windows and doors?
Use these same basic steps to tape around windows and doors. Here’s a trick for getting crisp corners or taping awkward areas: When you reach a corner, use a longer piece of tape than you need, and run it up (or down) the wall.
Can you use tape to cover Paint?
Tape can be used sparingly and only applied to horizontal surfaces like floor trim, or it can be used generously to cover ceilings, window and door frames, handles, and other areas that could potentially be spattered with paint. Choose the right tape.

Can you put painters tape on a window?
Yes, given its light adhesion, you can apply painter's tape to windows. In order to mask windows, start at any corner of the trim, and stick your painter's tape on the trim where it meets the wall. Apply your tape in 4- or 5-foot segments in order to prevent the tape from adhering to itself.
How do you tape glass windows?
0:181:51Painting Window Frames - Applying Masking Tape | Armstead - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if we get our tape give yourself around about a 50 millimeter gap between the end and your thumb.MoreSo if we get our tape give yourself around about a 50 millimeter gap between the end and your thumb. Line it up against the glass so you've got some excess going off onto the top part of the window.
What tape can I use on windows?
3M Transparent Weather Sealing Tape can be used around windows and doors to keep cold air out and seal cracks. The tape is flexible. 3M Transparent Weather Sealing Tape easily conforms to angles and curves.
Will painters tape stick to glass?
First of all, while both types of tapes work very well on wood and metal surfaces, only painters' tape will stick on glass or plastic without leaving behind any residue when it's removed.
What is the best masking tape for glass?
#2 Scotch Blue Original: The original Scotch Blue is also a great general purpose tape that works well on glass.
How do you paint windows without masking tape?
0:484:03How to Paint Windows and Doors Without Taping - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd let's paint so in order to do this without any masking literally apply not worried you're gonnaMoreAnd let's paint so in order to do this without any masking literally apply not worried you're gonna scrape. Up amazed how much faster. They know that before I started applying my primer I did stand
Should I tape windows before painting?
Painting windows requires special preparation and techniques because of their glass and open-and-close operation. To protect the glass, you can use masking tape or a wipe-on protective film that's dispensed much like deodorant. Another option is to skip this step and scrape off any paint from the glass with a razor.
How do you tape a window for painting trim?
Simply press the tape into the corner, overlapping the corner seams and smooth down to adhere. For long stretches of trim, you can speed up the job by using a Scotch-Blue™ Painter's Tape Applicator. It's designed to apply tape flush against trim quickly and easily.
How do you tape glass?
Protecting glass during a move is pretty simple: Place the mirror, frame or glass on a flat surface -- make sure the fragile side is facing up. Take packing tape and press it onto the glass, making an "X" out of the tape. Transport from place to place carefully.
What is glass tape?
Specifically designed for use in high-temperature applications, glass cloth tape is coated with a specialized adhesive that provides high heat resistance. This type of tape includes both PTFE impregnated fiberglass cloth as well as electrical-grade glass cloth tape.
How do you get dried masking tape off glass?
You can safely remove adhesive from glass with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Let the chemical soak on the adhesive for one minute and then wipe off with a paper towel. If the residue is stubborn, you can scrape it off with a razor held at a 45-degree angle.
Will masking tape peel off paint?
Masking tape is inexpensive and readily available, but it often leaves residue behind if it's not removed quickly. Masking tape may also rip off paint and other finishes. Painters tape is specially designed for painting and can be left on surfaces longer. However, it is more expensive.
How to tape a panel?
To start, tape up the edges of the panel first, and press the tape down flat. Cover the remainder of the panel with newspaper or masking paper. Tape all the edges of the paper to keep it in place and prevent paint from getting in. Paper or plastic with pre-attached tape is also available.
How to get tape residue off of paint?
When this happens, you can remove the residue with soap and water . Fill a small bowl with warm water and several drops of dish soap.
How to protect a ceiling from paint?
For instance, to protect a ceiling from wall paint, apply the tape to the ceiling where the ceiling and wall meet, getting the tape as close to the wall as possible without masking the wall itself . If you're painting multiple surfaces, always make sure fresh paint is fully cured before you apply tape to the surface.
How to score paint on a wall?
If any paint has dried to the tape, use a utility knife, putty knife, or other blade to score the area where the tape and paint meet. Be careful not to score too deeply, or you could cut the wall. When you're scoring, hold the blade at a 45-degree angle. ...
What do you need to paint a ceiling?
To paint a ceiling, you'll want to mask sections of the adjoining walls. Other things that may require protection include electrical boxes, door handles, cabinets, furniture and fixtures. In general, you'll want to apply tape around all of the trim, baseboards, door frames, window casings, and crown moldings.
How to stop paint from spilling?
To prevent paint from spilling or splattering where you don’t want it, remove any furniture and other items from the room before you begin painting.
What do you need to protect when painting?
What you need to protect will depend on what you're painting. For instance, if you're painting walls, you may want to mask (tape) the ceiling, floor trim, window and door frames, or tile (in a bathroom). To paint a ceiling, you'll want to mask sections of the adjoining walls.
How to make paper tape stick to glass?
In a pan of water, wet the paper strips until they are saturated but not falling apart. Squeeze the excess water out, and apply the paper strips flush along the glass. They will stick nicely and since the “adhesive” is just water, it’s more forgiving than tape.
How to make paper strips easier to use?
Simply cut strips of paper (regular copy paper will do) using a paper cutter or straight edge to ensure straight lines.
How to get lip balm off glass?
Apply the lip balm generously around the edges of the glass with your fingers or a cotton swab. After the paint dries, use a clean dry rag to remove the lip balm from the glass. You may need to use a glass cleaner if the lip balm residue leaves a film. Pro Tip – Cotton Swabs.
How to get gel off glass?
Just brush the liquid on the edges of the glass, let it dry to a gel finish, and paint away. After painting, use a sharp edge of a razor blade to slice the gel away from the glass and the flat edge to scrape the gel off. 3. Plain Old Lip Balm. This method is almost exactly like using masking liquid but doesn’t require a razor blade to remove.
Can you paint around glass?
Painting around glass in windows frames can be tricky and painstaking. Tape can be tricky to position properly and can leave residue after removal. Since we’re the glass experts, we thought we’d share some tips to make this task a little less daunting. You have more options than you might think. Here are three ways to make it easier.
Step 1
Dust interior windows using a plastic brush. Rinse exterior windows using a hose. Let wet, nonwood windows dry for 2 hours. Allow 24 hours for porous wood windows to dry.
Step 2
Sand vinyl, fiberglass or plastic windows or primer won't stick to them. Stop once the windows feel rough.
Step 3
Attach painter's tape to the area alongside the frame; don't apply tape to the glass.
Step 1
Choose the right primer for your windows. While latex primer works well with nonmetallic windows, metal frames require an etching primer.
Step 2
Prime the frames using a 2-inch polyester paintbrush. Brush lightly, applying a thin coating to prevent the seams from clogging. Let the base coat dry for 2 hours. Open and close the window every 20 minutes during this period to prevent the window from sealing shut.
Step 3
Paint the windows as you primed them. For best results, apply two thin coats.
Windows Before
When we first moved into our current home, we were faced with painting the wood trim in an over 4,000 sq ft home. That’s a lot of wood trim.
3 Easy Steps to Paint Window Trim Without Tape
For an easy visual tutorial, watch this step by step tutorial on my YouTube channel. Follow me on YouTube to stay up to date on all my project tutorials!
Painted Windows, After
Seeing these beautiful white painted windows makes my heart happy. It draws the eye to our beautiful back yard and all that gorgeous greenery. I can’t believe I waited 8 months to do this!
Interested in a HUGE DIY?
I hope that this tutorial on how to paint window and door trim without tape has been helpful! If you’re really interested in seeing what this dining room looked like when we moved in, make sure to check out my dining room renovation post! There may have been an indoor spa we had to contend with.
