Painters tape being applied to a curved entry

How Soon Can I Tape After Painting?

Answers to pro painters’ most pressing questions by Rick Watson

When can ProMar® 200 Interior Latex be taped after painting? What tape should we use?

Typically we recommend taping when the paint film has had anywhere from eight to 12 hours drying. That time frame is dependent on temperature and humidity.

This is, of course, on the conservative side, not knowing exactly what temperature, humidity and amount of mils are on the surface.

Do painters tape earlier? Yes, they do. I would suggest taping when you are comfortable that the tape you are using will not pull off existing finishes.

There are companies that make tape especially for lower-VOC paint products. Two that I know of are 3M and Shurtape (CF-30).

This article was originally published in the Winter 2017 issue of PPC magazine. ick Watson, director of Product Information and Technical Services at Sherwin-Williams, answers questions from pro painters in the Ask Your ProPartner™ column in PPC magazine.

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