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What is the Difference Between Masking Tape and Painters Tape?

Posted on February 20th, 2023

While both Masking tape and Painters tape are focus on leave residue behind. But they are different application for masking different areas.

Now we'll analyze their differences from several different items: Adhesive, Bleeding, Residue, Clean lines, Applications.

Masking tape’s carrier and glue:
Cloth, Crepe Paper, PE cloth, PET film.
Rubber glue, Acrylic glue.

Painters tape’s carrier and glue:
Washi paper, Crepe paper.
Rubber glue, Acrylic glue.

1.Adhesive

While both masking tape and painters tape are focus on leave residue behind. But they have different adhesive properties.

Masking tape have natural rubber adhesive or acrylic adhesive. Perhaps the adhesive layer is very thick and suitable for masking some rough surfaces. Users pay more attention to its excellent initial tack performance. Most of masking tape is applied at normally temperature.

Painters tape has a medium adhesion level acrylic adhesive. It is very thin that tends to stick well to paint surfaces and remove reliably. And painters tape is more focus on high temperature resistant and UV resistant.

2.Bleeding

Painters tape have more excellent conformable to the substrate than Masking tape. So painter’s tape will not bleed or pucker when using water-based lucite house paints as masking tape does. The natural rubber adhesive on masking tape may buckle with water-based paints, causing the tape to buckle and permitting paint to seep below the tape.

3.Residue

Masking tape is pressure sensitive, thick and very adhesive, easy to tear by hand that is used in various tasks ranging from masking off areas that are want to be protect or as temporary fix other typical day to day applications. Residues might be left behind upon the removal of the tape depending on the time of removal.

But painters tape does work well no residue after your painting finished. You can leave painter’s tape on a surface for up to 14 days without causing harm.

4.Clean Lines

Painters tape are designed to leave a cleanest finish and precise edges when painting on wall or car body. Especially in the areas of much attention to detail such as coach stripes or custom finishes. Painters tapes are manufactured from a flexible washi paper backing. It is extra thin and excellent conformable that tends to be gently curved over a complex surface.

Masking tapes are manufactured from a cloth or crepe paper backing. It is difficult to provide you with a clean line after removed.

5.Uses

Painter’s tape is commonly used to cover areas which shouldn’t be painted when painting and create a straight edge.
Masking tape is use for fixing, binding, sealing, or mending. They are easily removed tape less adhesive residual.

Masking Tape and Painters Tape

Parameter Comparison Table

Item Gaffers tape Duct tape Masking tape

Cloth

PE cloth

Paper

Glue

Rubber

Rubber

Rubber

Acrylic

Acrylic

Backing

Spun rayon cloth

Spun rayon cloth

Spun rayon cloth

Flat silk woven fabric with PE coating

Crepe paper or Japanese paper

Thickness

0.30mm

0.30mm

0.30mm

0.15mm

0.075mm

Backing surface

Matte-finished

Reflect light

Reflect light

Reflect light

-

Hand tear

Break straight

Break straight

Break straight

Break straight

-

Removed

No adhesive residue

Adhesive residue

No adhesive residue

No adhesive residue

No adhesive residue

Waterproof

-

-

-

-

Adhesion

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Price/m2

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