When you’re painting, there will undoubtedly be areas you don’t want to get paint on. That’s where masking paper for painting comes in! This can be done by hand but there is also a tool that will speed up the process significantly, and that tool is the Hand Masker.
Read on to find out more about masking paper and the Hand Masker!
What is masking paper and what are its uses?
Masking paper is a type of paper that is used to cover surfaces that you don’t want paint on. It’s usually made of thin paper or plastic.
Professional painters often use masking paper to protect areas such as windows, door frames, and moldings from paint drips and overspray.
Masking paper for painting is typically available in rolls of various widths and can be bought from most hardware stores.
It can be purchased with or without tape already attached. If you buy masking paper without tape, you’ll need to use painter’s tape to secure it in place.
If you’re going to mask a lot of surfaces then the practical hand masker will speed up the process significantly.
What is a Hand Masker?
A Hand Masker is a tool that’s used to quickly apply masking film or paper to areas that you want to protect from paint. It’s basically a handheld dispenser that has two rollers: one that applies the tape and another that unrolls the film or paper.
The Hand Masker has a cutoff blade that can be switched out for different widths when you’re using paper/film that’s a different size.
You should have in mind that you can purchase the hand masker with or without the blade. Get the preassembled version with the blade for convenience.
The hand masker is a great tool to have if you’re planning on doing a lot of masking. It will save you time and hassle when masking and will give you clean surfaces and straight lines every time.
What users have said about the 3M Hand Masker (reviews from 3m.com):
“The 3M™ Hand-Masker™ is the most used tool I own. No matter what your painting or staining, the M3000 masker is essential to getting quick professional results. It is very easy to set up and use, and with the adjustable cutting blade, you pick the type and size of tape and protective film needed to complete your project. It really is a must have.”
“Nice little item. It makes masking things very simple and easy.”
What can I use instead of masking paper?
When you’re masking windows you should use plastic film so that paint doesn’t get on the glass and the light can still come in. Since it’s folded and comes in various lengths it’s also great for covering closets, countertops and other large areas like walls.
You can also use newspapers or old sheets but they’re not as effective and practical to use as masking paper or plastic film.
When should I remove the masking paper?
It’s best to remove the masking paper when the paint is still wet. If you wait too long and the paint dries, the tape might pull off some of the paint when you remove it which will give you an uneven and ugly line.
If the paint has dried then remove the tape by pulling it away from the paint, that way you minimize the risk of pulling off any paint.
Is masking paper waterproof?
Masking paper isn’t waterproof but the plastic film is. There is also masking paper of different qualities.
There is regular masking paper that is good for water-based materials such as latex paint, plaster, drywall texture etcetera.
There is also solvent-resistant masking paper that can be used with oil-based paint, stains, and varnishes.
Will paint bleed through masking paper?
Paint usually doesn’t bleed through the paper but if you’re painting with an oil-based paint and you’re using regular masking paper the solvent will bleed through the paper and might affect the surface underneath.
If you’re unsure then it’s always best to test a small area first before applying the masking paper to the entire surface.
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Conclusion
Masking paper is great for protecting surfaces that you don’t want paint on like floors, countertops, and moldings. And if you’re going to spray paint then masking paper is usually a must.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of masking then get yourself a hand masker which will make the process go much faster and easier.