The Best Painter’s Tape for Multi-Surface, Rough & Delicate Surface. Blue vs Green vs Pink Tape

 GordonsToolsBlog is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. 

Cutting in while painting is a painstaking process that requires mastery and a steady hand, but with a painter’s tape, you needn’t worry about it. Many people tend to paint their homes themselves and if you’re one of them, you know how important but difficult it is to give a nice finish.

We made comparisons from the vast amount of masking tapes available and have highlighted our best picks. These tapes serve various needs. Hang tight and let’s get started.

The Best Painters Tape Reviews

1. Scotch #2093 – Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape

Best Choice

Scotch Blue - Sharp Lines #2093

Universal Painters Tape for Precise Edges Every Time

ScotchBlue 3M is another name for quality and this painter’s tape is ideal for best results. Suitable for professional painters, homeowners, and DIYers. Removes cleanly without adhesive transfer or surface damage for up to 14 days.

Check Price

Scotch 3M is a reputed manufacturer of painter’s tapes. This product is a multi-surface adhesive with iconic edge-lock technology. This assures that the paint is sealed perfectly and once you remove the tape, you’ll leave behind a perfect paint line. 

You do see contractors using blue tape a lot especially when they’re painting the outside of your house there’s a reason for it. The basic reason for using the blue tape is that it’s usable in direct sunlight. If you put yellow tape on anything out in the sun it’s going to bake it onto the surface and you’ll have a really difficult time getting it off. You may have to scrape it off with a razor or use an alcohol-based tape remover.

So in other words you can use blue tape on the outside leave it in the direct sun for up to 21 days and it will still come off cleanly. Scotch Sharp Lines is a multi-purpose adhesive, suited for multiple surfaces. The tape is a  medium  adhesive meaning that it will not be suited for pre-painted walls and wooden structures.

If you want to save your window railings or glass panes embedded in walls or doors, this is the product for you. Scotch #2093 is suitable for most surfaces and does equally well outdoors. The tape also outshines conventional alternatives by not leaving behind any residue.

2. FrogTape CF120 – Painter’s Tape for Crisp Lines

Also Great

FrogTape CF120

Multi-Surface Painter's Tape for DIY Projects

• Surface: Multi
• Adhesive: Medium
• UV resistant: Yes

Check Price

This FrogTape is the most expensive product which we tested. The manufacturer also claims to be the only tape with paint block technology. Have to say it is impressive. It keeps paint from reaching restricted parts and provides a flawless finishing with its  exclusive  Paint-Block Technology. This masking tape belongs to the professional tier and has been widely recommended.

CF120 is a medium adhesive masking tape. It is suitable for almost all surfaces. Be it pre-painted walls, wooden panels, glass panels, or metal, FrogTape CF120 will adhere to any surface. Despite such utilities, the tape is not UV resistant, hence unsuitable for outdoor settings.

FrogTape is a perfect all-in-one indoor option and gives you flawless crisp lines. It also comes with a 21-days clean release system, allowing you to peel the layer off without any residue. There is one thing though, it is a bit hard to tear off, hence, be extra careful while doing so.

3. Duck Clean Release – Painter’s Masking Tape

Best Indoor

Duck Clean Release

Blue Painter's Tape for Multiple Surfaces

• Surface: Multi
• Adhesive: Medium
• UV resistant: Yes

Check Price

Duck is another reputable brand in the painter’s masking tape arena. It is a multi-surface adhering product, suitable for most materials. It can easily stick to glass, metal, wood, and pre-painted walls, and also comes off clean.

The tape is a medium adhesive and can be peeled off cleanly within 14 days of application. Duck Clean Release painter’s tape is UV resistant, meaning that it is suitable for  both  indoor and outdoor applications.

The product is available in multiple sizes and offers almost all the features you could want in a painter’s masking tape. It does lag in area, and that is its clean removal period, which is less than those of competing brands. However, it is still a decent option with a good mix of qualities.

4. Scotch #2060 – Painter’s Tape for Rough Textured Surfaces

Best Strong

Scotch - Rough Surface #2060

Extra Strength Painter's Tape for Easy and Quick Application

• Surface: Rough
• Adhesive: Strong
• UV resistant: No

Check Price

Scotch #2060 is an ideal option for rough surfaces. It excels where others are ineffective, it is the number one choice for  textured  surfaces. Green tape is mainly used for masking off brick walls, stonework, or rough wooden panels, but the surface must have a lacquer coating. Although it is a strong adhesive, it peels off effortlessly and cleanly.

It is a string option for all extreme needs and comes in an attractive green color. I don’t know exactly what they do with this type of tape but it does stick to brick and stonework much better than other tapes. Scotch #2060 forms a strong bond with the surface. It also offers a 5-day clean removal limit, which is decent for strong painter’s masking tapes.

Scotch Rough Surface is excellent for outdoor use but has one limitation. Since it is a very strong adhesive, it will leave a tiny bit of residue behind. The tape has been designed to minimize this problem but it is unavoidable with strong adhesives.

5. Scotch #2080 – Painter’s Tape for Delicate Surface

Best for DIY

Scotch - Delicate Surface #2080

Gentle Removal Painter's Tape for a Hassle-free Painting Experience

• Surface: Delicate
• Adhesive: Gentle
• UV resistant: No

Check Price

This painter’s tape from Scotch 3M is the exact opposite of the previous entry. Designed for use on delicate surfaces. Scotch #2080 is perfect for all DIY operations and is affordable too, however, the tape is smaller than others on the list.

Scotch Delicate Surface also boasts the famous “edge-lock” feature to ensure a  perfect  paint crease once the tape is taken off. It is very easy to peel off and comes off cleanly. It is ideal for both indoors and outdoors and is the only gentle adhesive on the list.

Suitable surfaces include all the delicately built materials which may be damaged by a regular painter’s tape. UV resistance makes it effective outdoors as well, however, the tape is not meant for professional-grade use. But its price tag and utility make it a decent option.

The Ultimate Guide: How To Choose a Painters Tape?

One of the most common things I see homeowners do is they go right for the blue tape but it’s not always the right tape for the job. There are several factors to consider while choosing the best painter’s tape. Since people have their preferences and goals, it is best to research products that suit your requirements.
Fortunately, this buyer’s guide will help you make the right choice. We’re not going to get real scientific here. We’re going to talk about the main features and differences.

Size

There are multiple size options for tapes. Small-sized tapes are ideal for covering tricky spots while broader tapes cover more area. It depends on your preference and the circumstances. For instance, if you wish to cover the edges of window panes, a smaller tape, like the FrogTape CF120, would be good.

The total yardage is also an important factor to consider. Most tapes come with 60 yards long strips which is enough for medium use. However, others, such as the delicate Scotch #2080 tape, come at 45 yards long. This makes the tape a good fit for DIY but not for professional use.

Adhesion level

Tapes may be gently adhesive, medium, or strongly sticky. There is no good or bad when it comes to adhesion strength, all levels are useful in their context. A gentle adhesive, such as Scotch #2080 delicate surface tape, is ideal for DIY workers.

Medium adhesives are exemplified by most of the entries on this list, such as Scotch #2093, FrogTape CF120, and Duck Tape. These tapes are useful on multiple surfaces and provide the versatility of operation. Although gentle adhesives may come advertised as suitable for outdoor use, a medium adhesive is more suitable for the job.

Strong adhesives, such as Scotch #2060, are meant for rough surfaces. They require lacquer-coated surfaces to adhere properly. Although they serve in areas where others can’t, it comes at the price of residue. Strong adhesives can leave residue marks behind upon removal.

Surfaces

Not all surfaces are equal. While some are smooth and sturdy, others may be rough, while others may be delicate. Glass and metal are smooth and allow almost any painter’s tape to adhere closely to them. Wood and pre-painted walls are rough surfaces that require a more versatile product. Surfaces like concrete, brick walls, or rough wooden panels require strong adhesives. Delicate surfaces, which may be damaged by pulling off the tape hardly, require a gentle adhesive.

Scotch #2093 is ideal for most surfaces but will not work effectively on pre-painted walls or wood. In this case, FrogTape would be a better choice, given that the work is indoors only. Scotch has produced tapes for textured surfaces and delicate surfaces.

Clean removal

The whole point behind using a painter’s masking tape is to preserve the look of objects. Most masking tapes have flawless, residue-free, clean removal. This feature is timed and will only work perfectly if the tape is removed within the said time.

In most cases, such as Scotch #2093 and FrogTape, the time is 21 days. It is better to remove the tape before this period, but only when the paint has dried up completely. Duck Clean Release masking tape comes with a 14 days clean removal period, which is comparatively lower but it makes up for it by its versatility. Strong adhesives, however, have a much lower clean removal duration.

Outdoor Use

There are a few things that determine whether a tape is useful outdoors or not. These factors include the level of adhesion, surface compatibility, size, and UV resistance. Only medium to strong adhesives can “hang-tight” outdoors, a gentle tape may peel off prematurely.

Surface compatibility, as discussed earlier, determines the usability of a painter’s tape. If the outside surface is a brick wall, then a strong adhesive is needed. Outdoor tapes should also be bigger, i.e. Duck and Scotch #2093.

UV-resistant

Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is an ever-present threat to tapes placed outside or in a sun-lit interior portion of the house. These rays denature the tape and disrupt its integrity. They may cause it to peel off or to leave behind visible residue.

Only UV-resistant tapes like Scotch #2093 or Duck can be used outdoors without fear. Other products like FrogTape, although versatile in their action, are not UV resistant and hence restricted to indoor use. Never attempt to use indoor-oriented tape outdoors, it will destroy the paint job.

Guide: How to Properly Tape a Wall for Painting

It’s important to do this when you want to make sure that the paint you’re gonna put onto a wall doesn’t end up on areas where you don’t want the paint. When it comes to taping off a wall you want to start by using painter’s tape of course. When you go to the hardware store there’s gonna be a lot of choices for different brands as well as different sizes and the sizes do matter depending on what you want to tape off.

The thinner tapes the reason you would use this is if you have a detailed area where you want to place some tape or maybe it’s got to bend a little bit or that’s a sharp edge on a piece of trim. Then you would use the thinner roll of tape because it’s more pliable and easier to apply.

Then you’d probably go over the top of that with a wider piece of tape just to buy you a little time when you’re using the brush. You don’t get the paint on that area. One thing to consider is that I want you to get a couple of rags and with a damp rag before you tape off say a piece of trim wipe down make sure you get any dust off of there and then make sure it’s dry.

You’re gonna apply the tape to that area carefully and then once you get that nice clean edge go back over it with that damp rag to set it. The whole idea is that you want to make sure that you press the tape into the spot where it gives you that. Some manufacturers call it an edge lock (you don’t get any paint bleeding underneath the tape). It’s very important to push down on that it sets their kit carefully.

The other thing you remember is painter’s tape has a release time. Meaning that depending on the type of rolls that you buy they typically can be on the surface for about 15 days and then you need to remove it. If you don’t you could get residue from the adhesive on the part that you place the tape on. Kind of keep that in mind about the release date and the painting project and how long that’s going to take.

Final Thoughts

Painter’s masking tapes have gained popularity in recent decades. The reason for this is that they make our work very easy. Professionals and ordinary people use them alike, although product preference is different. The products we share with you in this rundown were selected after a painstaking research process. We assure you that they are the best on the market and that you can trust these brands for quality, excellence, and versatility.

The most important thing is to consider your needs and to remember the context in which you intend to use these products. These tapes allow us to create a better finishing and leave behind flawless paint creases. If you’re planning on painting your house or asking a professional to do so, you’ll appreciate kicking in a few bucks for a painter’s masking tape.

So if I had two semis smooth surfaces to paint I would choose Scotch Blue Sharp Lines. It provided some incredibly clean lines and did a tremendous job. Frog Tape and Duck Clean Release were very good tapes as well and I would consider using them on a smooth surface but for a semi-smooth surface, Scotch Blue is better.

Video Tutorial: When Should You Remove Masking Tape?

Video Tutorial: Using Scotch Painter’s Tape to Prep Like a Pro

FAQs