Sunday, June 7, 2009

Tutorial: Crisp, Clean Paint Lines

This tutorial was featured on Instructables.

Have you ever tried to use masking tape for its intended purpose only to discover that, no matter how carefully you apply the tape, paint bleeds under it, ruining your efforts?

Making clean paint lines between two colors doesn't have to require a steady hand or special equipment. This technique is very simple and requires only paint, brushes and masking tape. This time, however, you will be controlling the bleeding paint and using it to create crisp lines that precisely follow the edge of the tape.

Lay down the first color, extending past the area where the line will be. If you are using two layers per color, paint both layers.







Once it's dry, place your masking tape. In this case, the bottom of the masking tape marks the location where the edge between the two colors will appear.






Using the same color, paint along the tape edge. This seems strange but, there will always be some bleeding under the tape. By deliberately painting against the tape, you seal the edge with the first color, allowing it to bleed under the edge, so the second color can't do it. The edge of the tape becomes the edge of your line.




Make sure the lower edge of the paint feathers softly away so you won't see a thick ragged layer of paint later on.







When the bleed-under layer has dried, paint the second color. Make sure your paint overlaps the location of the tape line.







Remove the tape by pulling it at a 90 degree angle. Do this when the paint is wet, if possible.

Tah-dah! Crisp, clean paint lines!

(I hate adding a caveat but it seems warranted here: I haven't had any problems with the line when removing the tape after the second color has dried BUT other people I know have. It has to do with paint setting up and binding to itself. So, if you cannot pull the tape while it is still wet or at least soon after it dries, you might consider using a craft knife and a straight edge to score the line before pulling the tape.)

51 comments:

Linda C. said...

You are a genius! I love this tip and will use it as I stripe walls and have had the bleeding. Thank you so much!

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

Cool! I love your technique. I am sharing it on Decorhacks.com on June 8th. (found you via instructables)

Anonymous said...

Amаzing issues hеre. I am very hаppy to ѕeе your pοst.
Τhank уοu a lot anԁ I аm taking
a look aheаԁ to touch you. Will yοu kinԁly drορ mе
а e-maіl?
Also visit my site bet at home

Anonymous said...

Hey theгe ωould уou mind letting me know
ωhich ωeb hоst you're using? I'vе
loaded your blog in 3 completelу different internet browsers and I
must say thiѕ blog loaԁs a lot quicκer thеn most.
Can yоu гecommеnd а gοod internet hostіng
рrovіder at a reаsonable price? Many thanks, I
apрreсiate it!
Feel free to visit my page work from home

Anonymous said...

Hі there! Would you mіnd if I ѕhare youг blog
with my twittеr group? Thеre's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers
Here is my homepage ; work at home

Anonymous said...

Ѕuрerb blog! Do you have any helpful hints foг aspiгing wrіters?

I'm hoping to start my own website soon but I'm a little lost on eνerything.

Wοuld you proposе starting ωith а freе platform
like Wordpreѕs οг go for a paid option?
Thеre aгe so many οptіonѕ out
there that I'm totally confused .. Any ideas? Thanks!
Also visit my website : earn online

Anonymous said...

alwaуѕ i used tο reaԁ smaller ρostѕ thаt alѕo clеar thеir motive,
and thаt іs alѕo happening with thіs ρаrаgгaph
ωhich I am reading now.
Feel free to visit my webpage :: Make Money

Anonymous said...

Excеllеnt, what a weblog іt is!
This webѕite provideѕ helpful іnformation
to uѕ, keep it uρ.
My blog : Pet

Anonymous said...

Ιt's very simple to find out any topic on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this post at this website.
Feel free to visit my homepage woodworkingadvice.net

Anonymous said...

I'm more than happy to find this page. I wanted to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and I have you saved as a favorite to see new things on your website.
Here is my web blog - Black Mold

Anonymous said...

You've made some decent points there. I checked on the net to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.

Anonymous said...

Hi! Quick question that's completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone. I'm trying to find a theme
or plugin that might be able to correct this issue.
If you have any suggestions, please share. Cheers!


Here is my web page; more information

Anonymous said...

Thanks to my father who informed me on the topic of this web site, this blog
is genuinely awesome.

My weblog - know more

Anonymous said...

Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I'm
thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for beginner blog writers? I'd really appreciate it.


Also visit my web page more information

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about computer hardware devices.
Regards

Also visit my blog post - Visit Link

Anonymous said...

Saved as a favorite, I love your blog!

My blog post click here

Anonymous said...

Pretty! This was a really wonderful post.
Many thanks for supplying this info.

my homepage :: website

Anonymous said...

I pay a visit day-to-day a few sites and information sites to read posts, however this
weblog presents quality based writing.

Feel free to visit my blog post - click here

Anonymous said...

Ridiculous story there. What happened after?
Take care!

my blog post - Visit Link

Anonymous said...

Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I'm not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I'm thinking about creating my own but I'm not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you

Here is my website website

Anonymous said...

Hello are using Wordpress for your site platform? I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and create my own.
Do you require any html coding knowledge to make your own blog?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Feel free to visit my web blog - More Info

Anonymous said...

Fastidious response in return of this issue with solid arguments and explaining the whole thing regarding that.



Feel free to visit my web site know more

Anonymous said...

Hello Dear, are you really visiting this web page regularly,
if so then you will without doubt take fastidious experience.



Visit my web page ... stage hire Gauteng

Anonymous said...

I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I do not know who you are but definitely you're going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!

Here is my webpage ... organic skin care products Cheshire

Anonymous said...

Hi there to every body, it's my first visit of this webpage; this blog consists of awesome and actually excellent material in favor of readers.

Here is my blog - group accommodation and conferencing Johannesburg

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog that's both equally educative
and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on
the head. The issue is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.

I am very happy that I found this in my hunt for something concerning this.



my page: Luxury accomodation in Marrakech

Anonymous said...

I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz respond as I'm looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. kudos

Also visit my blog: piercings Port Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I might like this web site.
He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann't imagine just how so much time I had spent for this info! Thank you!

Feel free to visit my webpage business payroll services Gauteng

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I want to subscribe for this weblog to take most up-to-date updates,
so where can i do it please help.

Also visit my page; marquee hire Sussex

Anonymous said...

Appreciating the time and energy you put into your
site and in depth information you provide.
It's good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same unwanted rehashed material.

Fantastic read! I've saved your site and I'm including your RSS feeds
to my Google account.

my website Boat repairs Cape Town

Anonymous said...

Amazing! Its in fact awesome post, I have got much clear idea concerning
from this post.

Here is my web-site cocktail dresses

Anonymous said...

bookmarked!!, I really like your website!

My website: recruitment

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you're a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and may come back someday. I want to encourage that you continue your great work, have a nice morning!

Feel free to surf to my website: Domestic Appliance Repairs

Anonymous said...

Appreciation to my father who shared with me on the topic of this weblog, this webpage is really awesome.


Here is my homepage - digital signage south africa

Anonymous said...

This is a topic that is near to my heart... Thank you! Where are your contact details though?


Feel free to visit my webpage; specialised cakes

Anonymous said...

I am in fact happy to glance at this webpage posts which contains plenty of valuable data, thanks for providing these data.


Also visit my web blog: Flowers Cape Town

Anonymous said...

I am actually happy to read this web site posts which includes lots of valuable facts, thanks for providing
these kinds of information.

Check out my weblog ... Fireplace Installations

Anonymous said...

Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however I'd figured I'd ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring
a blog article or vice-versa? My site covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.

If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!


Review my blog ... Sign Company

Anonymous said...

You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
I find this topic to be actually something which I think I
would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!


Here is my page: bookkeeping around durban

Anonymous said...

Hello there, just became aware of your blog through
Google, and found that it's truly informative. I'm going to
watch out for brussels. I'll appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

My blog post ... cranes

Anonymous said...

Hello, I would like to subscribe for this website to take newest updates, so where can i do it please help out.


My website :: vehicle signage Gauteng

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right.
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information!

Thanks!

Visit my webpage ... power steering and brakes

Anonymous said...

The primary consideration is that you are searching for
a great conditioning devices, then the rowing equipment is excellent for exercise routine past any doubt.


Here is my page :: http://www.getfitnstrong.com/bowflex-dumbbells/3-reasons-bowflex-selecttech-552-dumbbells/

Anonymous said...

Schwinn 230 Recumbent Training Bike - this exercise bicycle would certainly get your
good friend in shape in no time.

Feel free to surf to my homepage: adjustable dumbbell set

Anonymous said...

When holding the weights you're also strengthening your hand muscles and forearms.

Also visit my web page ... http://www.getfitnstrong.com

Anonymous said...

So, no matter what resistance bands you purchase please look at making use of resistance
bands or physical exercise bands as component within your schooling method.


My homepage :: http://www.getfitnstrong.com/bowflex-dumbbells/bowflex-selecttech-dumbbells-ultimate-home-exercising/

Anonymous said...

With the Bowflex TreadClimber, you are going to be checking out acquiring a great work out from your exact same machine for the rest
of the lifetime!

Take a look at my web site; simply click the following page

Anonymous said...

No transport expenditures could well be incurred,
which can be a fantastic cost savings in alone.

my blog post: Read A lot more

Anonymous said...

Always keep in mind that chances are you'll explore distinct benefits or cons when applying the device at your individual benefit.

Here is my blog post; Going in www.Getfitnstrong.com

Anonymous said...

Nearly all of people that prefer to reduce bodyweight but not
invest a whole ton of money on health club costs training session in your own home and many from the time are
usually not supervised, this qualified prospects to injuries and perhaps long lasting hurt can be achieved for the
entire body each time a ligament is torn.

Have a look at my web site :: Read A lot more

Anonymous said...

They allow you to try and do a complete selection
of work outs and you can swiftly go from just one for the subsequent with no having to begin altering weights and dropping time.


Stop by my weblog :: simply click the following internet page