Masking Interiors

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Masking Interiors

What you'll need:

Here's everything you'll need to get it right the first time.

Plastic drop cloths
Newspapers
Painter's tape
Masking tape
Plastic bags (large and small)

Paint drops all over the floor are a hallmark of an unprofessional job. Take the time to mask your interiors thoroughly.

Spread drop cloths and newspapers

Move out of the room what you can, using good lifting techniques, material handling equipment, and team lifting as appropriate. Cover the rest. Then use painters tape [the blue or green stuff—masking tape dries out quick and is hard to remove] to attach plastic drops to the floor and woodwork, and cover drops with newspapers. Paint soaks into newspapers. It doesn't dry on a plastic drop cloth—which means you're more likely to track paint around your house, or slip, if you don't spread newspapers.

Tape off woodwork and electric plates

Use painter's tape to protect door and window frames, and moldings. Tape off electric fixture and cable TV fixture plates. Use small plastic baggies to cover door knobs.

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