When painting a space, you know you need to protect fixtures like wood doors, baseboards, and floors from damage and smears by laying down protective tape. First-time painters, however, may not know exactly which tape to use. It’s an important distinction. Many folks confuse similar-appearing tapes with one another, which can lead to messy paint jobs, extra cleaning, or worst of all, a damaged wood finish. Here are a few thoughts on whether masking tape will ruin the finish on wood doors if you use it instead of the correct protective tape. We’ll tell you how it can and how to avoid it.

Vive la Différence

Let’s begin by explaining the obvious: not all tapes are the same. Scotch tape is clearly not electrical tape, and duct tape differs greatly from surgical tape. All types have their purposes, and it’s easy to see why you can’t use one in place of another. The same goes for masking tape and painter’s tape. Though they somewhat resemble each other, in texture if not in color, they should never be interchangeable. Again, each has a different job. If you misuse them, they can do a lot of damage.

A Sticky Situation

Both masking and painter’s tape can cover or mask areas during paint jobs, protecting surfaces from smears and spatters while leaving clean lines. However, even though masking tape performed this service for a long time, its adhesive is slightly stronger than that of painter’s tape. It can be harder to remove, leave behind residue, and, yes, remove the finish from wood by pulling up weak spots, even on solid wood interior doors. The longer you leave masking tape on, the more finish you’ll strip from the wood.

True Blue

You can easily identify painter’s tape by its bright blue coloring and slightly weaker adhesive, making it safer to apply to painted and finished surfaces. Painter’s tape is also UV resistant, so sun and light won’t cause the adhesive to break down and stick, allowing for easier removal. Like masking tape, painter’s tape keeps your lines clean and sharp and prevents paint from smearing. Some brands of painter’s tape feature an especially delicate adhesive formula. Even so, try to avoid taping finished wood on floors, trim, and baseboards.

Avoiding Tackiness

Will masking tape ruin the finish on wood doors? Indeed, it will. But there are ways around this. Firstly, read the label. A medium-tack or delicate roll is always better. Test a small, out-of-sight spot in a closet or the space between a wood door and doorframe. Lay down a small strip of tape and let it sit for a half hour. Then, remove it and assess whether it left any adhesive or removed any of the finish. If you must apply the tape to wood, use it sparingly and remove it quickly. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Nick’s Building Supply, Inc.!