Painting 101: Is taping trim and edges worth it?

[@dianastacey919]

In LA when they painted my house they just removed the baseboards, painted everything, then put down new baseboards. They said it was easier. I saw someone say you could paint against a flat surface you lay against the trim as you move along the edge and slide it. I recall she used a file folder but this would only work for a small area before going crazy.

[@FaithandFun-w6q]

This is so nice. Thank you for sharing. 💖

[@DconBlueZ]

Thanks for the video, always enjoy watching!

[@StayHandy]

You’re welcome Mike! Thank you for the comment.

[@audiophileman7047]

I agree that for someone who doesn't paint very often and isn't as skilled as a pro painter, this masking method is a better way to go. A lot of times the pro painters will slop the paint with their "faster" method, so it isn't always cracked up to what it's supposed to be even with pro painters. Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@StayHandy]

You’re welcome. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@audiophileman7047]

@@StayHandy Sure, you bet.

[@mawrmcmahan]

What my Grandpa and I used to do was mask the line by placing an old metal slat from louvered window blinds. I'm pretty sure that something like it is sold at the hardware store.

[@adventure_48]

Ive found it to be situational, tape for baseboards and improving ergonomics....yes, door trim and ceilings...ive actually gotten away from taping and becoming efficient not using tape and just having a steady hand and quality brush to knock it out swiftly.

[@StayHandy]

Makes sense.

[@Asgro]

I agree! Especially for baseboards. Gravity is work so hard against you when cutting in base lol now, if I'm painting the baseboards... I go no tape

[@StayHandy]

Yes gravity also causes drops and splatter from your roller to hit the baseboard.

[@scottschreiber6008]

I only tape the baseboards that way when I am rolling, I can roll dow to the tape and then when I get done rolling I can quickly brush the bottom of the walls and not worry about going slowed down.

[@StayHandy]

That’s makes sense

[@kenmitchell3355]

Frog tape is so expensive though. Is there an alternative more budget friendly tape?

[@StayHandy]

You can use blue masking tape, but it doesn’t work quite as well.

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

@@StayHandy sometimes I use a junk mail postcard and hold with left hand and paint with brush hand

[@adventure_48]

charge it to the customer. I list items like this in my expendable materials invoice item. (rags, tape, shims, etc.)

[@ad6417]

My last home was painted professionally using the free hand method and it looked terrible...the previous paint peeked out from the bottom. Masking tape leaves a clean line with no bleed through.

[@TheUuhhh]

You have to take into account cleaning existing baseboard in order for the tape to stick.

[@StayHandy]

Good point.

[@voiceofreason5144]

Try using the one coat paint saves a ton of time

[@StayHandy]

Do you recommend a specific brand?

[@simonrizk4451]

nice!

[@briananderson7030]

Why not paint the wall first before putting the baseboards on?

[@pmubdeeps]

Pro painter here with 20 years experience. If you're not painting every day or very often , it's impossible to cut clean, FAST lines without masking tape. So therefore, the guy in this video is going to find it faster to use tape, because he cuts lines very slow without it. I would fire anyone who showed up with masking tape on a professional level. I also recommend against taping for beginners. In many (but not all) cases, the tape should be removed while the paint is still wet. If the paint is allowed to dry or become sticky, the fresh paint will peel up from the wall when you remove the tape. Paint can dry very fast. Therefore, if you are applying 2 or 3 coats, you'd have to re-tape in-between each coat. I've been on many jobs where the customers allowed the paint to dry, and it can turn into a huge mess.

[@yzmoto80]

Pro builder here with 30 plus years experience. I personally paint everything I build. I don’t care who the painter is, how long they have been painting professionally, etc., I have NEVER seen a pro painter cut in as straight as a tape edge…EVER ! I have worked for many years on all three coasts of this country, and on very high end homes. The best pro painters I have ever seen in my career, will use tape on most jobs, no exception. Doesn’t matter if it’s faster or slower…The quality of the finished project is paramount. And then you have the apartment make ready professional painting crews, (the ones with three years of caulk wiped on their pants), yeah them, you get what you hire 🤣

[@DessieTots]

But the rolls and rolls of tape is adding to your and customers expenses/bills. Maybe practice with just the brush or else use a brush with angled bristles? I just use an angled brush and use a damp cloth to clean any mistakes.

[@StayHandy]

Labor is more expensive than tape, but I appreciate saving materials.

[@dumptruckandme]

great video!

[@StayHandy]

Thanks!

[@billybobthornton4186]

First step should’ve been painting and then put in the new trim

[@StayHandy]

If you do that then the caulking on the trim turns yellow. You have to paint the caulking.

[@jamstor72]

I have been painting for over 25 years and I never had the problems you had with painting Dan but keep practicing I'm sure you will get better and i love how you put in that lil smart ass remark at the end of the video. I'm sure I have painted more than 90 percent of the people watching this video. that is a very un cool thing to say Dan and Dan by you using material that you didn't really need to use your a champion to the environment

[@allenlilly9466]

I disagree. I have been painting over fifty years and have painted with both techniques. The taping takes too long lost of time and money. You can become better if you try.

[@StayHandy]

I know it seems faster to skip the tape. I wasn’t even sure if cutting in was actually slower until I evaluated the footage. Have you ever timed it on a similar room? I think what I need to do is go head to head with a pro like you so my lack of skill can be removed from the equation.

[@TheUuhhh]

You’re just not good enough yet bro. Definitely no tape. Love your channel though

[@StayHandy]

Haha, I was waiting for that!

[@Asgro]

I disagree! Tape is the way to go! Roll without splattering base and then come through and paint/ feather the edge of your tape. It's such a money workflow 💰

[@tahoetimber9288]

Frog tape? More like shlog tape!

[@StayHandy]

Touché

[@victorianantiquities]

It is your lack of skill, You dont have to make a trip to a store, you save money (more time and your time should have some value). this is why amatuers giving advice is simply bad advise. "Pro Handyman" what is that? A guy who thinks he know what he is doing and has a business card?

[@StayHandy]

Thanks for the comment! If you are making a trip to the store just for tape, then your mistake isn’t using tape, it’s poor planning. Buy it when you buy the paint. And if you value saving $7 for a roll of paint over saving time, then you probably don’t charge enough for your services.

[@philipcatuogno2968]

@@StayHandy Excellent reply.

[@philipcatuogno2968]

You are a "thrifter". Please let us know what your expertise in painting is. Also, what defines "pro"? Someone who has a truck with a company truck with a logo on it or a KZbin channel? I've dealt with "pros" before and many are simply terrible. So, relax and learn to learn from others, pro or amatures.

[@victorianantiquities]

@@philipcatuogno2968 Well I own an interior design business selling high end antiquities, so not a 'thrifter". We have a Historic preservation consulting company that deals in writing scope of work and bid specs for historic preservation projects. I personally do historic historic mural restoration and stenciling and have recieved awards for my work as well as doing workshops and have 30 years experience as have restored dozens of historic homes and I have held a general contractors liscence and have had lead safe training. What I'm also NOT trying to do is make a buck with a youtube channel passing out advice. I do understand time management.