How to mask

Table of Contents

Applying the paint exactly there; and not everywhere

The covering and masking is done from bottom to top, thus exactly the opposite line-up to the paintwork.

Covering the floor

  • Lay out the sheets of absorbent fleece or kraft paper. The individual pieces should overlap.
  • Wipe off the dust of the baseboards and cover it with masking paper.
  • Cover window sills and other horizontal lying or protruding parts with masking paper.
  • Mask the vertical boundaries with masking tape.

Choose the masking tape a little wider than the diameter of the roller which is used to paint the edges. For trimming work and edges use a slender roller of max. 1 inch diameter and 3 - 4 inches length.

Accurate masking with masking tape

  • Pull about a 15 inch long piece off the roll.
  • Precisely place the roll about 10 inch from the start or the corner on the masking line.
  • Now align the loose tape towards the start or corner and fix it.
  • Cut off the supernatant of the tape to the right extent with the help of a putty knife, serving as cutting edge.
  • Press the blade of the putty knife including the masking tape in the corner and tear off the supernatant tape on a tight angle over the blade.
  • Pull about a 30 inch long piece of masking tape off the roll, place the roll precisely on the line and slightly fix the tape with your fingers.
  • Repeat this task until the end.
  • At the end tear off the tape with about 3 inches supernatant. Place the blade of the putty knife at the end and tear off the supernatant tape on a tight angle over the blade.
  • Slightly fix the tape in its center using an old, short-bristled brush.
  • Using the brush carefully stick the inner edge of the masking tape to the surface.

Attach self-adhesive masking tapes right before the paint job and remove when the applied paint is slightly dried. In elaborate jobs of longer duration, replace the masking tape between the working steps.

Accurate masking of high contrast areas:

  • Mount the masking tape as described above.
  • On the masking side of the tape apply a coat of paint of the same color as the paint color under the masking tape.
  • On textured surfaces add some putty to the paint to make it more voluminous.
  • Desired result: All gaps between masking tape and the surface are sealed.

Attach self-adhesive masking tapes right before the paint job and remove when the applied paint is slightly dried. In elaborate jobs of longer duration, replace the masking tape between the working steps.

Choose the masking tape a little wider than the diameter of the roller which is used to paint the edges. For trimming work and edges use a slender roller of max. 1 inch diameter and 3 - 4 inches length.

Electrical connections

  • Interrupt circuits reliably.
  • Insulate loose and bare cable ends.
  • Remove the covers of the switches and sockets.

Tools, products and applications

Absorbent fleece

Other designations: Painter mat, Painter felt, Paint cover fleece, Drop cloth.

Absorbent cotton fleece on one side laminated with a non-slip PE film, so dirt, paint or liquids cannot penetrate. Recently laid or wet floors cover only momentary with such fleece. Preferably use absorbent fleece made from recycled materials.

Cut off 8 ft long pieces from the roll. The cuts should be right-angled.
When properly handled the painter mats may be used several times. But a controlled workflow in handling the mats is required to not deport the wet drops of paint.

Folding

  • Fold the painter mats in half, fleece side facing inwards.
  • Fold further to a practical size.

Lay out

  • Unfold the mat to its half size.
  • Place the mat on the floor.
  • Lift the overhead half of the mat and step on the bottom half.
  • Unfold the mat completely.

Kraft paper

Other designations: Paperboard, Cardboard, Layout board.

Thick and strong, usually brown or gray paper, which is available in rolls. Preferably use kraft paper, which is made from recycled material.
Kraft paper is easy to cut, fold and to fix with tape. Therefore it is universally applicable in covering and masking jobs.

Masking paper

Other designations: Quick mask paper, Pre-taped mask paper.

Thin paper on rolls with or without attached adhesive tape on one side. There are matching dispensers with integrated cutting edge available.

Masking tape

Other designations: Cover tape.

Self-adhesive paper tape for painting purposes. Use tape in widths of 1 1/2 to 2 inches, because it does not deform as easy as the narrower tapes.

The standard quality of masking tape for painting purposes is made of beige paper which is coated with an adhesive of appropriate strength.
Masking tape of standard quality should be removed as long as the paint is not yet dry.

Special qualities of masking tape consist of finer paper or plastics of more strength and their adhesives are designed for special needs. Specific tapes are well solvent- and UV-resistant and are therefore appropriate for long time application and outdoor work. Others have adhesives with reduced strength and can therefore be used on wallpapers or similarly sensitive substrates.

Putty knife

Other designations: Spackle knife.

The tool is made of a trapezoidal shaped blade, which is inserted into a handle. Putty knives are available in different designs to meet any purposes. For painting purposes a putty knife with a stiff, 1 1/2 inches wide stainless steel blade and sharpened cutting edge serves well.

Paint roll

Criteria for the selection of the right paint roll

The kind of paint
  • Latex paint, distemper, wall paint, ceiling paint = medium length or long fibers, 1/2 - 3/4 inch.
  • Resin paint, acrylic lacquer, varnish = short to medium length fibers, 1/8 - 1/2 inch.
The texture of the surface
  • Smooth surface = short to medium length fibers, 1/8 - 1/2 inch.
  • Textured surface = medium length or long fibers, 1/2 - 3/4 inch.
  • Coarse textured surface = cushioned paint roll, long fibers, 3/4 - 1 inch.
The kind of work
  • Large areas, walls, ceilings = 10 inches long paint roll.
  • Small areas, borders, doors, frames = up to 6 inches long paint roll.

Author: Paul Zoller,

Date:

Emacs 28.2 (Org mode 9.5.5)