How to get a straight line?

gazza975526570

Hi

Currently decorating my daughters room.

Plan is 3 walls pink, one wall lilac paint on plaster.

How is the best was to get a straight line between the 2 colours?

I was planning on using masking tape but it seems to bring the paint off when i remove it?

oh i should have saif ive tried free hand and it aint the greatest!!

ormus

do you mean its taking the first paint off or the second color youve just painted?
use a good quailty masking tape is the first thing to do. the poundshop type is useless for this type of work.
when youve done the second color its vital to get he timing (removal of the tape) just right.
try experimenting first on an old wall.

babyangel10

You can buy plastic paint guards from the usual DIY places that allow you to paint one area whilst protecting the other - the ones I have got are about 18" long each (pack of about 6) and they are a kind of arch shape.

They aren't 100% fantastic or wot, but are useful for e.g protecting carpets when painting skirtings, but not sure how useful they would be for your job - if you take your time I think they might work. They aren't expensive.

Other than that, a long stiff piece of cardboard? I also heard somewhere that if you get your masking tape and stick it to say, some fabric (e.g a bed sheet or something) then use it on the wall, it reduces it's tackiness, thus making removal much easier and less likely to pull new paint off.

I don't envy you - I tried it once and gave up!

Good Luck!

uncle_buck_3

You can make your own paint guards by simply laminating a piece of A4 paper!

mattogier

Make sure paint is dry before using a LOW TACK masking tape - has "post-it" type glue on it that should not pull off the good surface.

Lord_Gardener

Here's some info for you!

http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/nflash/painting/MaskUp/maskup.htm

We always use good quality low tack and remove it asap after painting!