How to paint straight lines perfectly

Even on uneven surfaced walls, you can get perfectly straight lines while painting. Chris from The Idaho Painter shows you how to paint lines with laser precision using only caulking and tape.
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[@flagl]

I’m a painter in Lisbon,Portugal. I have had the opportunity of working on very old houses, where I could observe old techniques, before tape existed. They did straight lines by carving a line into the wall, I imagine with some sort of metallic knife or stick, so the paint would inevitably bleed into this very thin crease, creating the straight line. I have tried it and must say It worked great. I do imagine not everyone wants to apply this technique for fear of ruining the wall, but done right, with and embossing tool for instance you can create a not very deep or wide line for this.

[@tessarae9127]

Wow, thx for sharing 💗😃

[@jazricho404]

You look like John cena 👍

[@corneliadennis2892]

Thanks for sharing! Would something as thin as a butter knife work?

[@terrelldunn3973]

I was taught a similar method years ago that also works excellent if you don’t happen to have clear caulking on hand. What you would do in your example is put the tape on the wall, but instead of using caulking to fill the voids In the tape, use the color that’s beneath the tape. So in this instance you would paint over the tape line with white. Apply generously. And it will fill those voids the same way the caulking does. Then when it’s dry enough paint the grey. And you’re left with a perfect line. It’s always worked excellently for me. I’m going to try your method tomorrow. Thanks!!

[@marilynrosenbaum3010]

Wow what a great idea thanks for the tip. I painted a couple of accent walls in house and both bled onto the other wall. It has been disappointing but with these ideas I am ready to try again.

[@XBKLYN]

I'm going to try your method this week...it sounds elegant and no caulk needed....thank you!

[@klongfritz]

That’s what I do and it works out great every time. And, I don’t have to worry about hurrying to paint before it dries.

[@esmicu]

Does that method work for textured walls too? Like medium knockdown?

[@clyde80]

Used your technique today and our accent wall came out great! Thanks!

[@peteramond3358]

That is a f****ing good tip man never thought of that awsome thanks can't wait to try it out

[@bridgetolsen3700]

Used this technique on very textured walls and it turned out great!! Thank you for sharing!

[@suesherrill4557]

Me too! I read one comment where someone said you didn't need to go to all that trouble with Yellow frog tape : "Just follow the directions" - so I did and I had a mess. I went to the Idaho Painter's technique here and the results were PERFECT! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

[@richardluery1798]

This worked great. Probably one of the best home improvement tips I have found on KZbin.

[@Tuatara587]

I have been doing my painting seriously wrong for years. This works a treat. Thanks !

[@stormyravensteele7771]

Excellent tip and completely appreciated before I tackle a 70's themed bedroom. Thanks!

[@NathanielCatch]

Thanks Chris. It was great to meet you at the KZbin Creator Day!

[@instantsiv]

I do a lot of stencil work and can vouch for this method. I use slightly different materials/techniques but the overall idea is the same.

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

I was taught a similar method years ago , using wet clear caulking and blue tape on rough Stucco interior and exteriors. WOrks like a charm.

[@nnnn-vh8kt]

this is great and should help especially in areas where the wall and ceiling are textured. Thanks!!

[@stankhomenko6116]

Worked perfectly for me on a high contrast accent bedroom wall! It was important to get it right. Thanks for the life lesson!

[@user-lf7en6rf8m]

Fabulous, thank you, its so important to have classy straight lines , love the paint life

[@jeremywestern7067]

This video is hard work.I always attach a small spirit level to my paint brushes and the painting is perfect EVERY time

[@jcheck6]

Great Chris. The guy that painted my house used that technique but unfortunately I did not look closely how he did it. Now I know thanks to you so I can repaint my bathroom because my wife wants a color change....grrrrrrrrrr.

[@tonyford9516]

This worked great! Just wish I would have seen this prior to painting my first two rooms. Takes a little longer at the beginning but the results are great. Thanks!

[@fahmeyeusoff4316]

It works flawlessly. Thank you for making my day.

[@ajeroneski7338]

Omg blockbusters will never be the same . thanx champ

[@YourMomsUniverse]

OMG this worked amazingly well for me! You are a genius! Thank you!!!

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

Idaho Rocks, especially cord de laine and that amusement park, way the hell out in the north woods. Love that place. ROCK ON. RH DSD

[@MyriamValenzuela]

Thank you so much for the wonderful tips. I am about to test it.

[@kellyhopkins8430]

very useful for the project I'm planning! thanks!

[@carolconti4002]

Thanks for this video! You have given me the confidence to try a stripe when I paint my next room!

[@leiwulong2976]

magnificent tip. thank u.

[@latishazachery1126]

Wow! I'm an absolute amateur at this and it really worked! Thanks for the tip!!

[@jlowrie33]

This was VERY helpful. Thanks.

[@thomastirolflorida5363]

watched....taped and caulked 1/4 inch...painted. PERFECT !!

[@kimberlynovak1737]

I was painting stripes on a textured wall today and it bled through and I was at a loss of what to do before I painted the other color. This was the second video I watched so I ran out to Home Depot got the caulking and tried it. It worked amazingly!

[@n.a.garciafamily]

@@kimberlynovak1737 what kind of caulking did you get?

[@kimberlynovak1737]

@@n.a.garciafamily It was clear, but I can't remember precisely what it was called.

[@sadeqalmutawaa3707]

Thanks ...that was very helpful !

[@JohnSwanagon]

This method worked like a champ for me!!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH!

[@anniej1580]

Thank you so much! I've been trying so hard for perfect edges. I loved your video!

[@04sti20]

This method worked great!

[@haseebahmed6278]

Thank you. You have saved a great deal frustration for me.

[@PsychoAxeMan]

Great idea !

[@Frostbain]

One thing that helps for frog tape is to run over it with your fingertip to really press it in at the edge. My walls aren't that dramatically textured, but it seemed to work super well. The "delicate" frog tape is nice too - since you can use it on freshly dried paint (around 4 hours on the paint I used). One extra tip for truly laser straight lines is also a laser level if you can afford one. The one I have has a "lock" so you can turn off the level part and just use it as a guideline, giving me a perfectly straight line from point to point.

[@darrenlesueur4785]

I like to caulk the corner of the ceiling and round out the corner slightly and let it dry and then you have a nice even corner to tape and get really nice lines with no bleeding

[@karynm3365]

This method is excellent for textured walls! Frog tape is good, but sometimes (even after following the directions) it does bleed on highly textured walls. Does the caulking method take a little more time? Yes, but less time and frustration than having to go back and "fix" the bleed through.

[@thecitizenjoan]

Wow really enjoyed this gonna try it tomorrow

[@darrenm9597]

Awesome idea. It worked!

[@AnjuSharma-hn6eg]

its a very nice idea thanks Do u have any video showing the best/fastest way to paint the edges with/without tape

[@alfredcalleja450]

Thank you very much: very well and clearly explained.

[@sherrylacombe533]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@karendiener6558]

I have not tried the caulking yet. I usually use a wet rag over my frog tape, and it works well. I will try the caulking when I have a very textured wall. Thanks!!

[@colestaples2010]

Great video!

[@adameglen3593]

Yeah so how about the second coat?What do you do?

[@OmiSido]

Thanks brother 🙌

[@carriereed9615]

Hey thanks for the tip. Kind of cool to see you are from Idaho. My home state but currently in Indiana.

[@Apollo_Blaze]

Wow, beautiful....

[@FlyGuy457]

Way too complicated. I simply bulldozed the house. Put tape over the pile and poured a bucket of paint over it. Like a laser.

[@tommorlock9652]

I need I need a address to buy the paint trimmer where do you Byam I’m intereste

[@ShantiIly]

😂😂

[@honeybunch6473]

😂

[@Finess199]

😂😂😂

[@dennispalmer4257]

Talks to much

[@noel89nuyda]

OMG! It worked! Thank you.

[@cre8tivity06]

I am planning to do two different colors on the same wall so this process is pretty interesting but it sounds like I won't be able to to do a big area at once unless I begin at the top of the wall and work down to the area of where the tape will be. For the second color I am adding on the same wall, what do you recommend? Would i have to wait till the paint dries and then tape the painted side and caulk for the second color?

[@sudopenguin]

Seriously badass thank you

[@kennyvairin2484]

Thanks for the help.

[@yura19750622]

Thanks for video lesson. You can also get the strait line with brushing above the tape with the basic colour of the wall and let dry. And the secound coat with grey colour above will make yourline is very sharp .This technics may take more time but you can do the job comfortable with out rushing to get out your masking tape.

[@shapetwist]

That method works but you run the risk of the first coat peeling up when you do the tape pull

[@richnasa2136]

watched this video today and pow! my line game crazy now. The price today is not the price tomorrow! lol thanks for the vid

[@AlexB-hb9de]

thanks ! good trick!

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

YOur videos are getting better and better , Chris. as a fellow retired painter, My HATT is off to you, Sir. HR SDD

[@carlosmeneses7528]

Thanks so much.

[@fosprestonwhite1383]

Thank you!

[@janaebixby9585]

But how do you keep painting the line continuation? Do you have to wait until this section dries and then add more tape and caulk for the next section? Is there any way to do this for a very long line all at once? I’m trying to paint a straight line on a brick townhome exterior between my house and my neighbors.

[@derwingholston2550]

Love your videos, ? When is the best time to tape after painting something my paint comes off with the tape and what's the difference between delicate take and regular blue tape

[@PlumbDrumb]

That is super sharp. I was kinda hoping Frog Tape would do this on it's own.

[@cmcdmb1653]

I tried this and it worked about as as well as using blue painters tape alone. the BEST results I've had so far trying to get perfect lines on a rough textured wall is using regular old masking tape and just use my finger and a rag to rub the tape into the uneven surface. Lines comes out about 95% perfect. The only thing better is what others have said, paint with the wall color first and then paint over it with the color you actually want.

[@oregonize503]

How long do you have to pull the tape off before the caulking starts to dry? I know it’s relative to the environment but for optimal weather/humidity?

[@alexryan7939]

Genius! TY!

[@miguels7130]

Excelente dud ... Thank you for sharing.. Gad bless you

[@drongorius]

I actually am using the tape then painting with the same color as the was is under the tape, then using the color I want . It is generally the same process , the first paint is filling the rough surface under the tape .

[@elishadeshawn2599]

i guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!

[@grantlegend8872]

@Elisha Deshawn instablaster :)

[@elishadeshawn2599]

@Grant Legend thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@elishadeshawn2599]

@Grant Legend It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out!

[@grantlegend8872]

@Elisha Deshawn Happy to help :)

[@sarahpatti205]

Good looking man

[@johntepel8596]

You can also brush on Mat Medium with any low tack tape

[@chrislnflorida5192]

Is it best to finish painting the wall Before temoving the tape or it's use your discression?

[@geza96]

Won’t that stuff your brush, getting calking on it.?

[@HyeBrownIz]

Instead of caulk, you can just paint you base color along the edge of your painters tape so your base paint bleeds through onto itself and creates a seal. Then paint your stripe color over the edge. Don't have to worry about taking too long to paint or pull tape.

[@cornpop9262]

Can you describe this any better? Lol. I'm not understanding

[@mikekavanagh926]

He is saying if you are painting the wall and covering your trim with tape, as to not bleed into the white. Paint the side you'd caulk with the white. That way any bleeding would be white onto white. Brilliant. Much easier and cleaner than the caulk trick

[@Wavelover33]

@@mikekavanagh926 it’s not easier - how hard is it to run a bead of clear? A lot easier than getting paint out/painting/cleaning the brush etc.

[@YaBoiKi]

Using the clear caulking method at least you don’t have to wait for the paint to dry . It’s faster.

[@HyeBrownIz]

@@YaBoiKi I agree, it looks great and looks easy, but I don't want to only do a couple feet at a time with the paint, stop and do the tape/caulk, paint, back and forth. I like getting the entire room taped off and primed. Everyone has their preferred way. Happy painting!!

[@megganmassie7732]

What if you need to do multiple coats of dark paint? Do you pull the tape up after the first coat and then retape?

[@eshark11]

That's really clever using the clear caulking to fill in behind the tape. Thank you!

[@haroldclark4485]

Without being a wise guy, in the 70s, (before vinyl was king) painted wall graphics were popular. We accomplished nice lines by painting a coat of whatever color was underneath the tape over the tape. Let it dry and pulled tape off at 180 degree angle to prevent tear-off (before even blue tape).

[@diywithtara8072]

Can I use Dap Dynaflex 230 caulk? It says Clear 100% waterproof for windows doors and trim sealant, silicone tough, and paintable

[@paulcarmody7529]

What if you need to do multiple coats? Taking on and off the tape with caulk would be problematic right?

[@vhead612]

Is liquid latex a good idea?or even to wet the tape? And dry?

[@BradHighlandTapSnap1114]

Can you use this method with chalkboard paint?

[@rachelbingham5914]

Any suggestions if tape, caulk and paint were applied to the wall and it has dried before it was removed? Ive heard that you can use a heat gun to warm up the caulk and then pull it off. Has anyone tried this?

[@jjohnson3875]

So does the caulking always come off with the tape? Otherwise I'd be left with shiny caulking that I'd have to deal with.

[@Remember_Sammy_Jankis]

Thats a good method and could work almost all of the time, but im a painter, I could see myself using that method thinking im great in a big house in a bedroom using expensive colours only for the caulk to leak under the tape like you said and have it flash through the other colour just under the lines, in good light it would look awful, just run a filling knife along the tape to make sure its stuck as much as it can be

[@farealwitit7947]

Niiiiice. Ty

[@elephantmoney]

so what do you do with the caulking line after you pull the tape off?

[@leileili]

Do you leave it on between two coats.

[@davimalone]

Is this how you do your ceiling lines?

[@Forlornguild]

That's a good method, though you do not need frog tape to do it. IPG/Intertape's PG5 is the painter's masking tape... works for nearly everything. The caulk is basically sealing the edge of the tape, because all tape will bleed if you run tools against it (brush or roll to the tape). If paint is sprayed to the taped lines, tape will not bleed. Big tip on textured walls where colors break at inside corners (such as where walls meet ceilings), is to caulk the corners first to round them and create a smooth/straight surface for the tape's edge to run along. Problem with using caulk to seal tape edge, is if you put it on too thick and allow it to dry, it will come off with the tape. I often do one line at a time, putting minimal caulking along edge of tape (wiping it nearly all off)... paint over wet caulking and pull tape immediately while caulk and paint are wet. If second coat is needed, will just cut with a brush to the perfect line, staying just shy of it... then edge roll as close as possible to hide the brush marks. Besides caulking, you can use clear spray... or the opposite color of the color break, aka the existing color of the wall you're bringing the new color too.... basically then you're letting that color bleed and seal the edge.... those methods are a bit safer because if allowed to dry, its less likely to pull off with the tape when removing masking.

[@andret4403]

The instructions are for the caulk to be wet and be careful to not let it dry. Can't one use knife to lightly cut (approx. the depth of tape) along the line of the tape if caulk is no longer wet? Like the trick just wondering if the trick can be modified for dry caulk and lightly cutting along the tape line with a straight edge?

[@sandybeck9192]

Neve} would have thought of this, thanks

[@DuckPin2011]

Read comments while video played with no sound and thanks to you guys, I now know how to do better painted lines, thanks KZbin comments!

[@Roboticexile]

In the UK we have slightly different names for caulk. Are you referring to clear decorator's caulk (something I have never seen in the UK before), or clear silicone sealant (silicone caulking in the US)?

[@caskwith]

I would guess it's clear acrylic based sealant as opposed to silicone.

[@MichaelJNuno]

Will this work when doing the wall near the ceiling?

[@ravensdensteakhouseandtapr2121]

Nice! Holy cow - I wish I’d known that 30 years ago!

[@BertoIsGucci]

Wait, what kind of line is it?

[@GreenNeighbour]

If I understand your process, then the bottom edge of your paint is actually painted onto the caulking as opposed to the wall. Is that right?

[@booostedtc]

Does the cocking not make the knock down odd like make it smooth and stick out like

[@artist1303]

I’m guessing if you have to do a second coat to the surface for proper coverage you would do this process over again?

[@josecastro3833]

Hi. I use plaster but very thin (diluted with water). Advantage is that you can let it dry and remove masking later. Regards.

[@chrislnflorida5192]

Jose, i like thst idea. The plaster doesn't crumble after drying and removing the tape?

[@josecastro3833]

@@chrislnflorida5192 the leftovers in the tape will, but the finishing is good. And better remove when is not dry 🤙

[@Chicago3622]

What is your recommendation for if you have to do two coats

[@adrianek12102008]

use frogtape and no caulk, leave the tape on until you put 2nd coat, then 5-10 mins after 2nd coat pull the tape away... works every single time for me

[@rja3226]

Another trick for straight lines ! Paint door, window and base boards primer and finish coat. Make sure trim paint has cured. Mask with blue tape the straight lines to the wall trim. Be sure to use one piece of tape for each line so that start and stop marks don't show. Seal lines with a very thin coat of trim paint so that no ridges form. This stops any wall paint creeping behind the tape onto the finish trim. Cut and roll on wall paint. Strip each wall while it's wet. Do not pull tape straight up. Pull tape from either left or right and pull the tape over itself as to not put pulling pressure on the finish trim, which could result in pulling the finish paint from the trim. This works really well, especially if you have say white trim and a strong color on the walls.

[@smug8567]

Unless you have crow foot texture (stipple brush) on the walls. No matter how you tape it with textured wall it still comes out jacked up!