How to Tape Walls For Painting
Last Updated: July 25, 2012
Taping walls for a paint project seems fairly simple, but if done incorrectly, it can result in frustration and unsightly paint edges. There isn't a perfect formula for applying painters tape, but here we want to provide you with several pointers and tips that will help the taping process to go smoothly.
- Have a good amount of tape to begin with (3M's blue core is recommended), and get a few different widths of tape.
- Never apply tape to paint that has not completely cured. Wait 1-2 days after painting before applying tape to the freshly painted surface.
- Tape in strips that are 2-4 feet so that you can handle them easily (the longer the strips of tape you use, the more likely the tape will be to bend or crinkle)
- Overlap the paint strips so that the paint doesn't leak through, and so the tape is easier to remove.
- While taping, use one finger to lightly secure the tape into place; after applying the tape, rub your finger over the tape to make sure seal is tight where the paint will meet it.
- When taping corners, cut the tape at the corner at a 45 degree angle on one side and butt the tape up to the corner, on the other side of the corner, cut the tape at the opposite 45 degree angle, but overlap the tape with about 1 to 2 inches overlap.
- Make sure you tape all the door and window trim, corners, baseboards, mouldings, and similar surfaces.
After following these steps, you are ready to paint! Be sure to remove the tape before the paint has completely dried (somewhere between 30 minutes and 5 hours after painting). When painting multiple coats, we suggest reapplying new tape for every additional coat.
Chism Brothers provides professional and high-quality painting services to the majority of San Diego, including, La Jolla, Mission Valley, Coronado and other areas. Call us at 858-454-3850 if you have questions or would like a free estimate.
photo credit: real simple
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We couldn’t be more excited to share that Chism Bros. Painting has received the 2026 Best of La Jolla award from La Jolla Village News, earning a Gold Medal. We're honored, humbled, and incredibly grateful. Awards like this aren't really about the company alone. They're about the people who invite us into their homes, recommend us to their neighbors, and keep calling us back year after year. So before anything else, we want to say thank you. To La Jolla and Our Longtime Customers La Jolla has been good to us. We've painted its craftsman bungalows, its coastal homes (salt air keeps us on our toes), and plenty of places in between. Many of you have trusted us with more than one project, and some of you have been with us for decades. That kind of loyalty isn't something we take lightly. Every repeat call, every referral, and every kind review is the reason a recognition like this is possible. We appreciate you. A Family Business Built on Trust Since 1982 All of this is especially important to us since Chism Bros. is a multigenerational family painting company, and that shapes how we work and how we grow. When your name is on the truck (and your family's name before you), you know how critical relationships and trust really are. For more than 40 years, we've run on character and craftsmanship, and this kind of recognition is confirmation that we’re on the right track. What Comes Next Honestly? More of the same. Same careful prep, same clear communication, same crews who treat your home like it belongs to family. An award is a nice moment, but the real measure is how we handle the next project. We're proud to keep serving La Jolla and the greater San Diego area, inside and out. Frequently Asked Questions Q. Who was named Best Painter in La Jolla for 2026? Chism Bros. Painting won Best Painter, with a Gold Medal, in the 2026 Best of La Jolla awards from La Jolla Village News. Q. How long has Chism Bros. Painting been in business? Chism Bros. has served San Diego since 1982. It is a multigenerational, family-run painting company. Q. What painting services does Chism Bros. offer in La Jolla? Residential and commercial painting, including interiors, exteriors, cabinet painting and refinishing, historic restorations, deck care, and color consultations. Q. Is Chism Bros. Painting licensed? Yes. Chism Bros. holds California Contractor License #491884. Let's Talk About Your Next Project Thinking about a fresh coat, inside or out? We'd be glad to take a look. Call us at 858.454.3850 or request a free estimate here on our website. Thank you again, La Jolla. We'll keep earning it.
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