HOW TO STOP FROG TAPE PEELING OFF PAINT: A HACK YOU WON’T HAVE HEARD BEFORE

Frog Tape, you either love it or you hate it: here’s how to stop it from peeling off paint.

As frustrating as I find Frog Tape (or painters tape) to be, I do understand it’s a necessary evil, especially for those among us (including myself) who see decorating as more of a hobby than a vocation.

@p.spicer
Reply to @samanthagribbin1999 Needs touching up but love the result 😻 #fyp #roommakeover #featurewall #squares #finally #frogtape #satisfying #couldwatchallday #removingtape #paintingdone #roomtransformation #part7ish
♬ You – Petit Biscuit

I’ve been there so many times: I think the hard work is done, I’ve painted a whole room and I’m ready for the big reveal. I start to peel the Frog Tape away, just as they do on TikTok, and…BAM!

The paintwork comes off with it.

WHEN TO REMOVE FROG TAPE AFTER PAINTING

“You need to remove it while the paint is still slightly damp,” friends would tell me – I couldn’t believe I’d have to remove and replace the tape in between each coat of paint – well I tried that and to my despair, it would still peel away my fresh paint.

According to the Frog Tape website, you can leave it on for up to 21 days, or 7 days in direct sunlight, however, it recommends removing it as soon as you’ve finished painting.

SO WHY IS FROG TAPE PEELING OFF MY PAINT?

Was it just me? Why was the painter’s tape peeling off my paint?

It could be down to an uneven surface; if there is room for paint to slide in between the tape and the wall then when the paint drys, it will glue the tape to the wall, resulting in peeling paint.

I have to admit, for a while, I just stopped using it altogether. That was until I redecorated my lounge in the summer.

photo: @lindsey_isla

I had my heart set on a deep pink ceiling to make my lounge feel cosier. I also wanted to create a picture rail effect with a deep pink border around the top of the room. The distinct line I needed between the wall and ceiling colour meant I’d have to get the Frog Tape out, but this time it wasn’t going to defeat me. No Siree.

READ MORE HERE: IS PINK PAINT HARD TO COVER?

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A post shared by Lindsey / Colourful Fashion & Interiors 🙋🏻‍♀️ (@lindsey_isla)

HOW TO REMOVE PAINTER’S PAINT WITHOUT PEELING OFF PAINT

I taped my straight-ish line around the top of the room, painted my two coats and left it to dry. Several hours later, I came back, armed with a hairdryer and made my way around the room, slowly, heating up a tiny bit of the tape at a time and peeling it back very slowly. To my delight, it worked wonders.

Of course, the hairdryer hack does take some patience and it doesn’t look as sexy as removing painter’s tape does on TikTok, but I’m not going to look at a gift horse in the mouth – a frog on the other hand…maybe.

photo: @lindsey_isla

HOW TO REPAIR PAINT PEELED OFF WITH PAINTER’S TAPE

If masking tape does peel away paint, then sand the area and use a small brush (so you can work neatly) to repaint, blending it out to the surrounding area so it can’t be noticed.