How to Paint Clean Lines without Paint Bleeding Under the Masking Tape

I’m not a professional painter, I am a “do-it-your-selfer!” Up until now, I was always disappointed when I tried to paint clean lines with 2 colors. Invariably, the paint would bleed under the tape, no matter what kind of tape I used or how well I applied it! Then, I would have to try to correct the bleeding paint by using a tiny little paintbrush, but that usually just made things worse. I was so thrilled when I came across this DIY painting trick!  For me, painting will never be frustrating again! The trick is to go ahead and let the paint bleed under the tape! Yes, you read that right! I said go ahead and let the paint bleed under the tape on purpose! You just have to allow the right color to bleed under the tape! Stay with me and I’ll explain…

In the photo below, you will see that I have 2 paint colors.  I have white baseboards and a contrasting wall color. The first thing I did was to paint the baseboards white. (It’s okay to be a little sloppy. If it gets on the wall, it’s really okay!) Once the white paint was good and dry, I placed my painters tape along the edge where the moulding meets the wall. Then…I painted white paint on top of the tape allowing it to get on the wall! (Stay with me…) I know it seems strange, but this is what I meant by letting the paint bleed under the tape (0n purpose!) This creates a barrier of the white paint that will prevent the wall color from bleeding under the tape! (Because the white paint has already bled under the tape – but it matches, so no big deal!)

Allow the white paint to dry on the tape. Do not remove the tape yet!

Without removing the tape, I then painted the wall color right on top of the painted tape (See photo below.)  Allow it to dry at least 20 – 30 minutes. Then, carefully remove the tape…

You will see what appears to be a miracle! A perfectly clean line with no bleed through! Isn’t this brilliant?

This technique can also be used on corners or where the wall meets the ceiling. It can even be used for painting stripes of different colors on the walls! Now that you know how to paint perfectly clean, crisp lines…What are you going to paint?