The Secret To Clean Lines Every Time

So, you’ve done all your prep work, masked your wall and painted your top coat. But still, when you pull your masking tape off the wall, you’re not left with the perfectly painted straight line you envisioned. Instead, your top coat has bled through the edge of your tape and you are met with a splotchy, uneven finish to your painted surface.

As a DIYer, there is no worse feeling. That’s why we’re sharing the secret to achieving clean lines every time. Follow these steps and you’ll be bragging about your sharp lines in no time.

Step 1: Don’t Forget The Prep

We know you’re excited to get into your paint project, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about the prep work. Take the time to prep your painted surface before moving on to the next step. This will only make the finished product better… trust us.

Step 2: Apply The Masking Tape

Apply the masking tape to your surface in your chosen design and press down firmly. To further minimise bleed, gently run a paint scraper firmly along the edge to be painted of the masking tape. If you press too firm with the paint scraper, you run the risk of indenting your wall with the scraper which is not the clean line we’re trying to achieve!

Step 3: Paint The Tape Edge With The Existing Wall Colour

Here’s the secret to clean lines every time. Paint over the edge of the masking tape with the existing colour of the wall first. This will mean that any bleed will match the colour already on the wall and you will have now effectively sealed the paint. All Allow this coat to dry fully before you apply the top coat.

Step 4: Paint The Top Coat

Once your existing colour coat is dry, roll the top coat paint colour onto your wall. Be sure to slightly overlap your masking tape line so that you can achieve the clean line you desire. Allow your first coat to dry fully before applying the second, again overlapping your tape slightly.

Step 5: Reveal The Straight Lines

Once your paint has dried fully, gently pull the tape from the wall to reveal your razor-sharp lines.

By following the steps above, you will turn your clean lines dream into a reality and take your interior design skills to a bold new level. For more expert tips and tricks, head to your local Inspirations Paint store.