A successful project starts with good preparation.

It is exciting to see how paint can transform a room! But prior to opening the first paint can, it is critical to properly prepare the surfaces you will paint. Many paint projects end in frustration and disappointment simply due to a lack of adequate surface preparation.

We invite you to visit a very interesting section of Sico’s website which talks about surface preparation. Simply click on the Sico logo below and you will find a “Virtual Advisor” that will show you what you need to do to prepare your surfaces. Just identify which surfaces you will be working with and carefully follow the advice offered.

Click on the link below to access
SICO’s Virtual Advisor website section.

Which tape to use?

Each masking tape has specific characteristics and adhesion properties suited to specific uses. Using the correct tape will ensure that your project will be a success. And since Masking tape is a small part of your painting costs, it is well worth using the one that will give you the best results:

	PAINTPRO®, 7DAYPRO® (available in USA only) and/or EDGEPRO®: For use in achieving sharp lines and when the tape has to be left in place for a short period (up to seven days) on a delicate or semi-delicate surface like wall paper, natural or finished wood, freshly dry paint, painted gypsum, floors and carpets
	PREMIUM QUALITY: For use on brick, cement or any porous and non delicate surface.
	14DAYPRO®: For use on flat surfaces such as aluminum, PVC, vinyl, glass and/or if the tape is exposed to UV rays for a long period (more than 10 days) indoors or outdoors.
	UTILITY GRADE: Perfect for short duration (maximum 24 hrs) on non delicate surfaces and/or to join polyethylene sheets.

How to apply the tape

Masking tape is "pressure-sensitive". To ensure good contact with the surface, it is necessary to apply pressure to the entire stripe of the tape. If the pressure is not sufficient, the tape adhesive will not stick in its entirety and may fall from the surface (and paint may run under it).

	Unwind the tape on the surface you want to mask.
	Apply pressure on the entire stripe of tape to ensure perfect contact with the surface.
	Use a painter's knife to cut the tape. This way you’ll make sure the tape holds well and is perfectly cut.

How to properly remove the tape

Removing tape without removing paint can be a delicate operation and some simple precautions are needed. Here are some tricks to remove the tape properly and without any damage:

	Wait a minimum of three hours after painting before removing the tape.
	Remove the tape in a regular motion keeping the tape at a 45° angle with the surface. Keeping the tape perpendicular to the surface allows the border to act as a blade and give it a clean and sharp edge.
	If the paint has a tendency to peel with the tape, apply pressure with a knife on the border of the tape while removing.

For crisp and sharp paint edges

It is important to understand that "flat" surfaces may not be as flat as they appear. In fact, most surfaces have imperfections that no masking tape can properly adhere to.

	Since the tape does not make perfect contact with the surface (due to imperfections of the wall), it can create small "holes" on the tape border. Paint can flow into these holes and create smears or imperfections along the border of the tape.
	To avoid infiltration of paint under the tape's border, apply a small coat of matte varnish (or the base colour) along the border of the tape, allowing it to dry before applying the colour. The matte varnish (or colour) will fill the holes to seal them, so when the second colour is applied the tape will create and ensure a crisp and sharp edge.

Note: When you apply the tape on a base coat, use matte varnish to seal the holes. When the tape is applied on a paint colour you should use the same colour as the colour under the tape to seal the holes.

This technique works with all types of masking tape, but for optimum results we recommend EdgePro® tape. If you are creating curved forms, we recommend PaintPro® tape (7DayPro® in the US).

Mask the border

Borders, wood trims and door or window frames usually exceed a width of 48mm (2in) width, which makes them difficult to cover with masking tape.

That’s why we created PaintPro® Mask tape! Combining PaintPro® tape (7DayPro® in the US) with waterproof masking paper that unfolds to 6 inches, PaintPro® Mask is simple, practical and easy to use.

	Pull the paper off the roll as you go, and the tape will unwind with it. Align the tape against the edge of what you are masking, then pull the masker along the edge to unroll a perfect line of paper and masking tape. Press the tape down firmly as you go for good adhesion.
	A built-in cutter bar on the edge of the PaintPro® Mask allows you to easily tear off the paper and tape at the length you need.
	Unfold PaintPro® Mask paper to fully take advantage of its 6" wide covering capacity.

How to create stripes of colour

Nothing works better than EdgePro® tape to create stripes of colour! This tape is made of very thin and flat paper that considerably reduces accumulation of paint on the border of the tape. Even more important, the paper is rigid so it won’t stretch when applied in long strip. EdgePro® helps create clean and precise fine lines and stripes.

	Paint your background colour over the entire surface where you want to have your stripes. Allow the paint to dry completely. Apply EdgePro® tape stripe widths of your choice (18, 24, 36, 72mm) to create either vertical or horizontal stripes.
	To avoid infiltration of paint under the tape’s border, apply a small coat of varnish (or the base colour) along the border of the tape, allowing it to dry before applying the colour.
	Paint in between the stripes of tape. Allow the paint to dry completely.
	Remove the tape (see How to properly remove the tape section). Repeat if you want to add more stripes on top of existing stripes.

Be creative! Use different EdgePro® tape widths to create your stripes of colours. For instance, use a layer of 72mm tape combined with a 24mm tape stripe to create a larger stripe of colour. Make sure both tape stripes slightly overlap.

Creating curved lines and borders

Create crisp curves and nice round lines using 6mm and 24mm width of PaintPro® tape (7DayPro® in the US).

	Use the 24mm tape to trace the straight lines. Then use the 6mm to create the outline of the curves and forms.
	This will allow you to have a sufficiently wide masking surface that will be easier to paint over without going over the tape line.
	This is the final result of the arc created using 6mm and 24mm PaintPro® tapes (7DayPro® in the US).

How to create designs with masking tape

Create patterns using the thin and easy-to-form 6mm PaintPro®* tape to create your design. Then widen the protection by applying 24mm PaintPro®* tape on top of the 6mm tape to further mask the surface and protect it from the paint. Here are the steps used to create the tree shown on the image on the left.

	First, draw the pattern on the surface.
	Use the 6mm PaintPro®* tape to mask the outline of the pattern because it's easier to handle when creating curves.
	Use the 24mm PaintPro®* tape to follow the outline of the 6mm tape, applying the tape just over the edge of the 6mm tape.
	Apply a coat of the base colour on the inside border of the 6mm tape to fill the holes and avoid infiltration of the new colour when it is applied. Allow it to dry completely.
	Patterns are masked and ready to be painted.
	Paint inside the pattern.
	Remove the masking tape properly and voilà! (*7DayPro® in the US)

The mural and the artist

This magnificent mural was created by decorative artist Isabelle Leclerc. We invite you to visit her web site (www.atelier-leclerc.com) to examine and appreciate the variety and quality of her creations.

Isabelle created and painted this mural as per our request to showcase her expertise in the creation of "faux finis" using various Cantech masking tapes. This site guides you on the proper use of the masking tape and provides interesting advices and tips for the success of your project.

Isabelle was assisted by Stéphane Page.

The mural and its colours

Isabelle has chosen Sico Supreme, Eggshell Super Latex Acrylic for all colours. Here is the description of all shades and their location on the mural:

Interior Latex Primer and Undercoater 240-125

	Garùa 6199-11
	Winds of Change 6199-21
	Coastal Breeze 6199-31
	Gravel Road 6204-52
	Highway 6204-63
	Sparkling Water 6156-31
	Tonic Water 6156-52

Click here to connect to SICO's website.