{"id":709,"date":"2019-04-23T11:59:01","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T11:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expressdoorsdirect.co.uk\/blog\/?p=709"},"modified":"2022-01-25T10:56:20","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T10:56:20","slug":"how-to-protect-doors-and-windows-while-painting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expressdoorsdirect.co.uk\/blog\/how-to-protect-doors-and-windows-while-painting\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Protect Doors and Windows While Painting"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated on January 25th, 2022 at 10:56 am<\/p>

Interior decorating is a great way to revitalise an interior space. A lick or two of paint can transform a room entirely, turning it from drab to vibrant over the course of a single afternoon. But if you\u2019re not careful, things can get a little messy: paint splashes are inevitable, and if you want nice clean lines dividing your skirting, sills and walls, you\u2019ll need to take some extra precautionary measures. Let\u2019s take a look at some of them.<\/p>\n

\"painting<\/p>\n

How do you Tape off Door and Window Frames?<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s run through the process of taping up the entire room, particularly protecting your door & window frames.<\/p>\n

First, you\u2019ll want to remove any dust and grime from the areas you\u2019d like to tape. If your door and window frames are glossy enough, this might just mean giving them a once-over with a damp cloth. If you don\u2019t do this, then the tape won\u2019t adhere to the surface, and paint will creep underneath. The result? A crooked line.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to apply your tape in short stretches of around a foot long. This is because it\u2019s slightly stretchable, and if you use too much, you\u2019ll run the risk of overstretching. When the tape reverts back to its original shape, it\u2019ll work loose from the wall, and allow a little bit of paint through. Different sorts of tape will be more resistant to deformation, and thus it\u2019s worth investing a little more in the right kind.<\/p>\n

Place the tape right up against the surface you\u2019re going to be painting. This will ensure the straightest possible line. If you have excess tape available, then have it come away from the wall to form a slight gutter. This will catch any stray spatters if you get overzealous. Then, when you come to remove the tape, you can use a Stanley knife to score along the edge and ensure that there\u2019s a clean break between the paint and the tape.<\/p>\n

You can use the edge of your Stanley knife to ensure that the tape forms a tight seal against the surface. Just be careful that the blade doesn\u2019t dig into the tape itself, as this will risk damaging the underlying material, and creating an uneven effect.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re joining lengths of tape at the corners of your skirting board or window-frame, it\u2019s important that you get the angle right. This is often best achieved using a mitre seam. You don\u2019t need to be terribly precise about this \u2013 just cut the end of the tape at a rough 45-degree angle.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re applying tape to a surface you\u2019ve recently painted, such as a skirting board, then be sure that you\u2019ve left sufficient time for the paint to not only dry, but cure, too.<\/p>\n

While a single length of tape should be enough for most paint-jobs, you might want to be extra careful and tape sheets of paper to the other side of the tape. This will prevent all but the most violent splatter from reaching the floor.<\/p>\n

\"paintbrush\"<\/p>\n

What sort of tape should I be using?<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll find different sorts of tape available, designed to deal with plaster, paint, wallpaper, wood or metal. Check the packaging to see what you\u2019re getting. Ideally, you want something that\u2019s strong enough to stick to the wall, but not so strong that it peels off a great big chunk of paint when you come to remove it.<\/p>\n

How do you Protect Glass?<\/h3>\n

Masking tape is usually adequate for protecting glass surfaces. Just make sure that the edge of the tape sits right up against the edge of the glass. If you\u2019d like to try something a little different, you might consider liquid mask, which can be daubed straight onto the glass. It\u2019ll turn into a rubbery goo when it dries, allowing you to peel stray paint specks right off the glass.<\/p>\n

How do You Remove & Store Doors?<\/h2>\n

Removing doors entirely will save you from having to mess around with tape. It\u2019ll also slightly widen the entrance to the room, which might come in handy if you\u2019d like to move large, cumbersome items of furniture in and out.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at how to take a door off its hinges. Start by assembling a few key items.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need<\/p>\n