blue tape - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

painterofeveryt · 02-11-2007, 02:52 PM

is it just me,or does the whole world seem to love blue tape ! what tape do you all use? and if you do use blue tape,do you have certain things you only use it for ?

Humble Abode · 02-11-2007, 02:59 PM

Blue tape is highly overrated IMO.

The only thing I use it for is horizontal surfaces where I don't want any accidental roller splatter.

Baseboards, window sills etc.

ron schenker · 02-11-2007, 03:03 PM

Duct tape is better

Just kidding...I like the blue also, especially when I'm silicone caulking a kitchen backsplash

AAPaint · 02-11-2007, 03:59 PM

Blue is good when I am leaving the tape up for more than just a few hours or when I need to mask wallpaper and don't want to tear the face off of it. Other than that, I buy the regular white masking tape in droves, and save the blue "safe release" tape for when I need it.

The biggest reason for me is that the retailers know everyone loves the blue tape, and they are all quite proud of it, and charging the ultimate premium for one roll of tape. 2" rolls going between $5-7 each is crazy.

DeanV · 02-11-2007, 04:04 PM

I use the 3M blue tape (blue core) for only masking off windows. For all my regular masking I used to use 3M's white tape (not the cheap regular masking tape). That white tape is no longer made though, so now I am trying another brand of white tape, the adhesion is about right, but the tape is thinner and tears more easily. If some thing is really fragile or for masking lines on walls I use 3M's orange core blue tape.

Joewho · 02-11-2007, 04:27 PM

Gee, how did I ever get jobs done before the blue tape?

phinsher · 02-11-2007, 04:36 PM

Blue tape is just another tool. Though we could survive without it, there are situations where it's the best tool for the job.

painterofeveryt · 02-11-2007, 04:57 PM

true enough,but the only claim to fame for blue tape is that it is sunlight stable for 28 days...anyone else heard that ?

AAPaint · 02-11-2007, 05:40 PM

Yeah, but you should check the label. I think typical 3M blue tape is 14 day safe release. There are a couple different ones though like the one with the orange center, and then there's green tape.

rws · 02-11-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanV

I use the 3M blue tape (blue core) for only masking off windows. For all my regular masking I used to use 3M's white tape (not the cheap regular masking tape). That white tape is no longer made though, so now I am trying another brand of white tape, the adhesion is about right, but the tape is thinner and tears more easily. If some thing is really fragile or for masking lines on walls I use 3M's orange core blue tape.

Try Easy Mask white tape

lornmastro · 02-11-2007, 09:11 PM

my vote is for the 3m orange core blue tape #2080

Danahy · 02-11-2007, 10:39 PM

I like the blue, I'm new to the blue... Have used and built up quite the hatred for the green tape for years. Blue sticks alittle better, then green, but blue is way too expensive, and hard to find in 1 1/2" around here...

Humble Abode · 02-12-2007, 12:14 AM

If you buy it by the case you can get it for about $3 a roll. Usually only during the big blowout sales in the spring.

chris n · 02-12-2007, 06:51 AM

Try Easy Mask white tape

Where do you find this?

rws · 02-12-2007, 11:28 AM

http://www.easymask.com/pages/mask.html

LennyV-NHSNOLA · 02-12-2007, 12:09 PM

I see they have a white, green and blue tape. The white seems to be marketed for doing faux effects. Is that the same one you all are talking about? Is it cheaper than the blue or green?

Workaholic · 02-12-2007, 05:56 PM

I buy blue tape by the case, i get it off ebay 80 bucks shipped 24 rolls of 2 inch. Been doing it for years with no problems.

chris n · 02-13-2007, 08:58 AM

RWS
OK,went to site,Thanks but could not find white tape?Do you use the green for everyday use,baseboards,etc?

zico · 02-13-2007, 07:42 PM

The 3M Blue is what I prefer, though there are local green varieties I use. As for the the 14 day release claims, we tend to put it up get our licks in and take the tape down.

We had a customer this summer where the crew left the tape up for 2 days for the paint to dry completely. When the crew took down the tape from the ceiling some of the mud came down with the tape...oh oh. We had to patch and redo the ceiling.

LennyV-NHSNOLA · 02-13-2007, 08:22 PM

I don't like letting the paint dry completely. I know it's tempting when doing two coats but I like to peel the stuff off after the first coat, while it's still wet, wipe any bleeds, then retape the room before the next coat. Takes a little longer but it won't peel the paint off and the bleeds won't dry under the tape.