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How To Use ShurTech FrogTape®
Painting stripes, diamonds, blocks and other geometric designs are time consuming and sometimes the results look a bit sloppy because of wavy lines and paint that bleeds under the masking tape. Let's review a product that makes a painting project like striping a wall much easier. Its time for a FrogTape® review and some helpful painting tips.
FrogTape® is a masking tape treated with PaintBlock® Technology. PaintBlock® is an absorbent polymer that instantly gels when a water-based paint is applied. This technology forms a seal at the edges of the FrogTape® to prevent paint from bleeding under the tape. When the tape is removed a crisp, sharp and clean edge is left on the painted surface. With careful application touch-ups are elimnated. It is a product that truly takes the pain out of painting.
FrogTape® comes in 3 widths, 24mm, 36mm and 48mm which is about 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches respectively. There are two grades of adhesion. The green roll known as FrogTape® Multi-Surface is a medium adhesion masking tape for use on fully cured walls, wood trim, glass or metal. It will remove cleanly from most painted surfaces for up to 21 days or only 7 days if exposed to sunlight. The yellow roll known as FrogTape® Delicate-Surface is a low adhesion masking tape for use on freshly painted surfaces, faux finishes and primed wallboard or wallpaper. It will remove cleanly from most painted surfaces for up to 60 days.
ShurTech FrogTape® Tips
- Best for smooth surfaces.
- A textured surface will require much more attention to achieve a seal and sharp line. Extra care should be taken to burnish down the edge of the tape.
- Apply the tape to the properly prepared painted surface.
- The surface should be dry, clean and free of dust. New drywall should be primed and painted with at least two finish coats. A newly painted surface should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before taping. Some paints may require a longer time to fully cure. The FrogTape® Delicate-Surface is available for freshly painted surfaces.
- Use water-based paint.
- The polymer in FrogTape® is activated by water. The best results will be achieved when using latex or acrylic paints. If you plan to use an oil-based or lacquer finish test first to determine the effectiveness of the tape.
- Avoid stretching the tape.
- The tape is pliable and will stretch some as it is pulled from the roll. The best results will come when stretching is kept to a minimum. Pull the tape off the roll slowly and apply it gently to align it on your marks.
- You might need a helper.
- Long sections can be hard to tape off by yourself. Though you could apply short sections of tape at a time, I have found it hard to perfectly align the matching sections so I pull off the required amount and have a helper hold one end. If you are working alone maybe you could stick one end on a door frame or ladder while you apply the other.
- Incorporate the width in your design.
- As of this writing FrogTape® is available in 3 widths. Maybe one of these widths is the same as part of your design. In the photo on the right the space between the narrow and wide stripes is the size the customer requested. It was made using one run of the 36mm width. This saved time and tape.
- Remove the tape soon after painting your finish coat.
- Painting over the tape will form a bridge of paint. The tape should be removed before this layer of paint has fully cured. In some cases you may need to remove and reapply the tape between coats. Personally I have never had to do this but it could happen. For practice and precaution sake an inconspicuous spot could be painted first to test your painting technique.
- Test the angle of removal.
- I like to remove the tape by pulling it over itself in a slow and steady motion. Sometimes this is described as pulling at an 180° angle. A 90° may work also. Getting the right angle will minimze the tape pulling off the base coat of paint or peeling up the decorative finish.
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Michael
Editor - the painted surface
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