Masking off wood / carpets when painting

ninjaef

So we are painting wood along both the edges of carpeted stairs, following this vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmE_n5qx9Tg
The guy here is using standard masking tape. Is this good enough because I have also read about "bleed" causing a problem when inappropriate masking tape is used - should he/we not be using the "blue decorators" tape or frogtape?
If this basic masking tape is okay, then I guess I can use it to cover skirts and door frames when painting the walls ??

Thank you for reading and any help provided.

TELLIT01

I've never masked woodwork when painting the walls.  Work carefully assuming you have a steady hand and you shouldn't have any overrun.  To protect the carpet I have just used thin card pushed down between the skirting and the carpet.

ninjaef

TELLIT01 said:

o protect the carpet I have just used thin card pushed down between the skirting and the carpet.

Ah, so like a cut up cereal box ?? that would be an idea - have to start saving the boxes if so   

John_the_Boy

I use the same technique as shown on the video, rather than use your fingers to tuck the tape in I use a scraper (https://www.tooled-up.com/artwork/prodzoom/STA028805.jpg) as it gives a much neater finish. I always use Frog tape on the woodwork when painting walls as it sticks better and reduces bleed.

couriervanman

+1 for frog tape

ninjaef

John_the_Boy said:

I use the same technique as shown on the video, rather than use your fingers to tuck the tape in I use a scraper (https://www.tooled-up.com/artwork/prodzoom/STA028805.jpg) as it gives a much neater finish. I always use Frog tape on the woodwork when painting walls as it sticks better and reduces bleed.

so you use frogtape when masking the carpet , or this basic stuff in the vid? If not frogtape then does not the basic masking tape allow paint - possibly - to bleed onto the carpet?
So you don't paint the walls first then? I thought decorating , you work top down which means the walls first then the wood so why cover the wood when its going to get sanded/painted - you're the expert so I'm just curious , not challenging you , just wondering.

EssexExile

Does the chap in the video spend all that time masking for the undercoat, rip it off before it's too dry, then do it all over again with the top coat? No wonder he's making videos, he'll never earn a living decorating. Just lay 50mm tape on the top of the carpet and be careful.

ninjaef

EssexExile said:

Does the chap in the video spend all that time masking for the undercoat, rip it off before it's too dry, then do it all over again with the top coat? No wonder he's making videos, he'll never earn a living decorating. 

  he knows more than I do lol

MovingForwards

I used newspaper and a steady hand.

Grenage

If you're not giving the woodwork a coat then you could use tape if you don't have a steady hand.  You can always just wipe off mistakes with a damp cloth.  If you are painting the trim then obviously you don't need tape.

I'm with Essex; use cheap 50mm on the carpet.  The trick is to apply the edge to the carpet against the skirting first, then pull it towards you and push the rest down.

daveyjp

I use low tack masking tape, but it is removed as soon as the paint is applied, not once the paint has dried.