Masq painters tape review and guide

The masq painters tape range from Ciret seems to go under the radar a little bit, but I’ve been using it for years and genuinely believe it to be one of the best performing brands out there. Not just because of the performance, but the price of the products are remarkable for the quality you receive. You can buy these products online.

In this blog, I’m going to go through each of the products in the Masq Painters’ tape range and give my honest opinions. I hope you find it useful.

Ultimate Painters Tape (red)

I thought I’d start with the ultimate painters tape, simply because it’s one of the most impressive masking tapes you’ll ever come across. You can use this product internally or externally and it’s safe to be left exposed to UV for around 120 days, which is almost unheard of!! This tape uses a very strong adhesive, meaning you can use it on stonework without issue.

You can even use it on WET glass or windows, which again, is unheard of. It’s nice to know you’ll still be able to remove your tape, even if it gets wet because of rain. Other brands fall to bits, or leave glue residue.

Even though the ultimate painters tape is designed to cope on “hard to stick surfaces”, it is also a very thin washi paper with a precision edge. On a flat surface you will experience no paint bleed at all. I go through boxes of this stuff when masking up external windows ready for spraying the surrounding walls. It’s easy to use, sticks hard and fast, never lets me down and is easy to remove. Everything I could want!!

I do use it internally on carpet, but you wouldn’t opt to use this tape on previously painted or delicate surfaces. The glue is very strong compared to other tapes and can pull when you remove it.

Superior Painters Tape (Yellow)

Another product designed to work as well as it possibly can do. The superior painters tape is another interior and exterior product which can be left down in the sunlight for up to 60 days without issue. This is another very thin washi paper with no paint bleed. This tape is extremely easy to use and then remove again afterwards. You might use this tape to mask sharp lines on windows before painting. I use it when spraying windows. It’s another product I have absolute faith in, and I use it on an almost daily basis.

Low Tack and Sensitive Painters Tapes (Purple and Lilac)

I thought I’d do both of these tapes together as they’re fairly similar. When it comes to sensitive tape, there is a balance to be struck between the strength of the adhesive they use, which is what will stop paint bleed, and being sensitive enough to leave sensitive surfaces such as wallpaper undamaged. I think a lot of tape manufacturers struggle to find that balance. Ciret have covered both bases here.

The “low tack” is slightly higher tack than the sensitive and you’d use it on surfaces such as freshly painted woodwork or walls. It performs well enough for you to paint onto the tape and achieve a nice sharp line with no paint bleed.

You will not create the same sharp lines with the sensitive tape. You wouldn’t with any tape of this kind from any of the brands available in the UK. However, you would be able to use it on wallpaper, or something similar and be confident it will not damage the surface.

Both products are manufactured from thin washi paper, are easy to use and easy to remove. You can use both internally and externally and they can be left down for up to 60 days (That gives you an idea of the quality doesn’t it).

24 Hour, 3 Day and 7 Day Masking Tape

These are cheaper crepe tapes, the type you’d use to pin plastic sheeting down, or mask carpets. Designed to a budget, they do a job and save the consumer money on jobs where high-performance tapes are not needed. Interior use only.

Brand Summary

FAQs

What is the best tape to use when painting?

Thin washi tape is best because it won’t leave a fat edge of paint and it’s less likely to pull on your newly applied paint. Other than that, it’s just about choosing the correct tape for the surface you’re applying it to. You experience very little paint bleed when using Masq Painters Tape. You might use the red when working outside, and the purple when taping a delicate surface.

Do professional decorators use masking tape?

As a Decorator myself, I can tell you that this is a divisive topic. All Decorators use tape to protect things like carpet or flooring. However, some use it to strike a straight edge when painting windows, while others (usually older Decorators), would say you should cut-in freehand.

Is there a trick to using painters tape?

Just make sure the surface you’re covering is clean and dust free before you start. Then lay the tape out, line it up, and apply pressure with your hand or a cloth.

Why is painters tape so expensive?

You get what you pay for. General masking tape made from crepe paper is cheap, but you will experience issues with paint bleed, and you won’t be able to strike a straight edge with it.

How long before I can put painters tape on fresh paint?

Ideally, you’d leave new paint to cure for a couple of days before taping over it. However, you can apply sensitive tape after 24-hours if you need to. Just be very careful not to damage your new paint.

Can I use Vaseline instead of painters tape?

I use Vaseline to protect door hinges when spraying a room. It isn’t a replacement for painters tape though. You couldn’t use Vaseline to create a sharp edge on a painted surface, or to protect carpet when painting skirting board.

Where to Buy

These tapes are widespread!! You can buy them online by clicking here, any Crown Decorating Centre, and just about a million other outlets. They’re cheap enough to be sold to the general public and easily good enough to be used by professional decorators. These are some of the best masking tapes on the market and my preferred brand in most situations.

Click here for more information on masq painters tape from Ciret, or visit the Decorators Forum UK for more honest product reviews.