Masking tape is an easily removable adhesive tape used to protect surfaces under various conditions. Masking tape can be protective masking tape, paper masking tape or crepe masking tape. Protective masking tape effectively protects finished and easily damaged surfaces. It can be used to shield finished metals, vinyl or plastic laminates, glass and wood against scratches, paints, oils etc. Paper masking tapes and crepe masking tapes can be used for general purpose as well as professional applications. General purpose tape is well-suited for general labeling, packaging, bundling, and for short term painting applications of about four hours.
Masking tape is commonly used in painting. As the name implies, it temporarily “masks” the surfaces that are not to be painted. The tape is usually made of an easy-to-tear paper backed tape with a relatively weak adhesive coating. The adhesive can be rubber or acrylic-based. Polymer, polyester, or polyimide films can be used in place of paper.
Available in a variety of attractive colors, the strength of the masking tape varies and is graded on a 1-100 scale depending on the strength of adhesive. For painting operations, the tapes are of a 50-scale range. Household tape is made of weaker paper and have a lower adhesive.
Masking tape used by the house painter is rated on the basis of the number of days the tape is kept without leaving residue on the surface being masked. The rating varies from 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 to 60-day, of which 7 and 14-day tapes are the most commonly used. The tape should be removed immediately after painting. Masking tape can be stored well in plastic bags.
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