There are a lot of tape options out there. As a consumer, it's hard to know what you're getting and what you're paying for. You might be wondering why a roll of tape can range from $1.25 to as much as $10 or more. You might also be wondering why some tape is blue and some is tan and others are green or orange. Is it really worth the extra few dollars to get blue "painter's tape" just because you're painting?
At JS Painting Company we had to ask ourselves those same questions, and we're happy to share what we've come up with:
So for starters, we'll deal with color. If the tape is tan, it's probably masking tape. Masking tape is characterized by relatively high adhesion. This means that it is NOT ideal for the most delicate surfaces. For instance, masking tape shouldn't be used on a recently painted wall or on vinyl wallpaper or really anything delicate. The other issue is that if applied to the wrong surface tan masking tape may not release properly, leaving behind sticky residue. These problems aren't the end of the world, but they sure can be a nuisance. Steam, WD-40 or adhesive removers do a good job of getting that gunk off (although, as with anything, you should think twice about what's under the gunk before treating it). Masking tape's best qualities are that it's thin, pretty strong, and easily released from most surfaces. Within the realm of painting, its most common uses are to mask off areas that are not meant to be painted. Because it is as strong as it is, it can hold the weight of painter's plastic or masking paper. It's also great because it's pretty cheap!
If you're thinking about doing a pretty straight forward painting project at home, tan masking tape is probably all you need. That said, you should know that no tape is a substitute for care and precision. When using any tape, you should remove it soon after you finish painting. Sometimes paint will dry and adhere to the tape so that when you peel it away, you peel your paint away (or at least your straight line). Also, ALL TAPE BLEEDS! If you're using tape to make a straight edge, you may be left with a bumpy or spotty line when you look up close. That is just a fact of life. You can improve this situation by thoroughly pressing down along the edges of the tape - to make the most even seal. You can also better your chances by NOT applying copious amounts of paint at that edge. Often times brushing a taped edge forces paint under the tape - try using a roller along the edge for better results.
Now for brands and prices -
3M/Scotch #2020
This is a quality tape. It is the tape most used by professional painters. The roll pictured is 1 inch 3M #2020. It is stronger and more adhesive than what you'll find in most drug/office supply stores so pay attention to see that you're using #2020. This is a reliable option that rarely has problems (ironically, the last case of it I bought was defective, but that is a rarity). #2020 has been the standard for a very long time, the main setback is that it's usually a touch more expensive than its competitors. It comes in a variety of widths and is available in single, sleeve (4-9 depending on width), or cases (usually 24 I think)
ipg pg5
I actually think I like PG5 better than #2020. I find that PG5 peels more evenly than #2020 sometimes does. 3M literally invented masking tape, but ipg does it just as well. In terms of price, I think PG5 will often be more expensive, but that has to do with reps and distribution deals. I've seen it cheaper than #2020 in some stores, but that's the exception. The picture here shows 'sleeve' quantity, so obviously it comes in singles, sleeves, and in cases.
MasterCHOICE
MasterCHOICE is... O.K.... it'll get the job done, and it's cheap. It's a cut below the tapes I've already discussed (but that's coming from someone who uses tons of tape and is probably picky). If I were a homeowner doing a small project on a budget, I might still spend the 30 cents a roll extra to get something that's going to make my life a little easier. We're talking about tape in the $1-3 range so unless you're buying a ton, the difference in price is insignificant. If you're a painter doing a huge project that's easy enough to do and a slight dip in quality won't make a difference, then it might be a good pick to save a little cash. I actually have noticed that some MasterCHOICE lines have been getting cut at certain retail locations which leads to some pretty great sales. I think I've bought a case of this tape for as little as $12 or so. It also comes in the aforementioned quantities.
Sherwin-Williams brand tape
The tape pictured is actually CP99 which is the cheaper stuff I'm pretty sure. Their professional grade stuff is CP66 I think. It's actually pretty good. My guys have never complained about it. It's not anything miraculous but I'm tempted to say it's slightly better than MasterCHOICE which is impressive because CP66 is about the same price and is basically a generic brand. I don't think it comes in sleeves, but you can definitely get singles and cases. The price for singles isn't great, but the case price is good. Actually, if you're buying from Sherwin-Williams, they are going to overcharge you for every other brand. So if you don't wanna make to trips and you're on a budget, you may as well pick some up. It will do fine.
Other Brands
There are many other brands and many other lines. The ones I listed are the ones I prefer and the ones most commonly stocked in paint/hardware stores in Seattle. Each brand has multiple lines. For instance, you'll see a bunch of other 3M product lines, but I like #2020. Most variation you see within a brand has to do with degrees of adhesiveness.
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