How do I remove painters tape that is also lifting the good paint that is under it. I haven't started painting yet and already it is lifting my good paint. I was trying to protect the paint while I painted the door casings. Will soaking the tape help?

Hi, moosejaw49!

Was the tape on the wall of areas that you've just painted? If so, how long was the tape on the wall, please?

Thanks!

The paint was 5 years old. I just put the tape on yesterday.

I did try someone's suggestion of heating the tape with a blowdryer to soften the glue and that seemed to work :-)

Yes, a blow dryer should help and I'm glad that it's helping you! You could also try peeling the tape sideways some in addition to peeling it the length of the tape.

If the tape is having that much effect on paint that is that old, then I would suggest using a painters tape that is a low-tack kind. I like to use the kinds that are low-tack and also perfectly flat without any crinkles in them, because if the paint is applied to heavily to tape that has crinkles in it, then the paint will tend to creep under the crinkles and thus not leave the edge perfectly smooth.

Thanks!

The blowdryer option has already been offered & is a very good idea, any sticky residue that's left on can easily be removed with wax furniture polish. In future, before you stick the tape down, remove some of the adhesion by sticking it to a close weave fabric first. My suggestion would be a smooth bed sheet or a shirt, that type of fabric.