Blue Painters Tape

[Bill Sutherland]

Wondered where some of you fellas source different widths of blue painters tape? At $5/roll it gets pretty expensive when you need a bunch.

[Lee Schierer]

Check Uline.com and buy in bulk.

[Barry Block]

Uline, is where I buy mine from. Also if you can use white masking tape it is much cheaper. It is more adhesive which can be good and bad depending on use.

[Randy Viellenave]

https://smile.amazon.com/Blue-Painters-medium-adhesive-residue/dp/B0756G8W94/ref=sr_1_20_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1518726598&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=blue+painters+tape&psc=1

$3.83/roll, Uline is $6.40 if you buy 36 or more.

[Marc Jeske]

Course, when trying to reduce cost, now where getting into totally potentially questionable quality imported stuff.

As a parallel, everyone knows and has their favorite abrasives, but I don't think anyone of the faves comes from China.

Or look at black electrical tape - I have never found a cheaper alternative to 3M 88 or 33.

Otherwise adhesive creep, residue, general breakdown in time.

3M also offers "Highland" or others as lower cost alternatives, but w lower performance.

But for some non critical uses, may be ok.

I'm sure blue tape has similar differences.

Suitability all depends on the use.

But ya, the name brand stuff is spendy, and they sure do like to promote the blue over the old style stuff..they have shifted consumer DIY general use way over to blue overall.

Marc

[Ted Derryberry]

I ship a lot of stuff and used to buy a good bit from Uline. You have to admit that they have it, they have it in stock, and they can get it to you in a hurry. However, you can beat their price on practically everything with a little effort.

I don't use a lot of the blue tape and generally buy it from Home Depot. If I needed a size they didn't carry I'd look on Amazon. When you factor in shipping costs elsewhere I doubt you can beat them. If you really need a lot I'd try a paint store. If you open an account you'll often get "professional pricing" and save 10% or so. It may still not be as cheap as Amazon though. I haven't checked, but Zoro.com might be another option. It is Grainger's online presence, but with reasonable prices.

The beige masking tape is junk. If you gave me a case of it I'd be pissed off because of the room it would use up in the dumpster getting rid of it.

The green tape is great too. It is often sold as "for hard to stick surfaces" or "extra strength". I use it a good bit to hold small pieces while glue sets and even to hold stop blocks in place in odd situations. Lately I've been using it as an extra seal at the top of the dust collector bags near the latch where they always leak because the slack is folded up. It sticks to the metal collector and the plastic bag and I even re-use the same piece about three times.

[Ken Kortge]

Lately I'm preferring the green tape. To me it seems to have less of a tendency to tear as it's removed.

[peter gagliardi]

I keep a case of 1" , 1.5", and 2" at the shop. I get it from tapemanblue.com
Made right in PA as well.

[Randy Viellenave]

Course, when trying to reduce cost, now where getting into totally potentially questionable quality imported stuff.
Marc

Good point - I didn't even check the brand. 3M is $4.07 per roll.
https://smile.amazon.com/3M-2090-24EVP-Scotch-Painters-Value/dp/B014PQ3U2O/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1518729525&sr=1-4&keywords=3M+blue+painters+tape

[Jay Hart]

You might try Harbor Freight. I use their blue tape and feel the price/quality tradeoff is about right.

[Bill Sutherland]

I did try HF tape a couple of years ago. It was so thin I couldn’t get it to release from the roll without tearing. Bought 12 rolls and every one of them was bad. Maybe they’ve improved but the blue and green tape I’ve used is so much better i’m afraid to try them again.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

Cheaper brands are a waste of money, but the white stuff is way cheaper than the blue.
I keep both around.

[Barry Block]

FWIW, I used to hate beige/white masking tape because it would always tear and seem to do more so as it gets older especially around the edges. Then an old timer told me to rub the sides of the rolls with oil every now and then. It helps a lot.

[glenn bradley]

I do various widths and use 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" as well. If you are worried about cost, using a foot of 2" tape when a foot of 1/2" tape will do can really eat through some product.

379180

[Ole Anderson]

When I mask for painting, I don't want the paint bleeding under the edge, so I prefer those more expensive products with edge lock adhesive. There is lots of quality differences in blue tape.

[Jim Becker]

I use this stuff more for "clamping" than I do for "masking". :) For that reason, I prefer the "original" flavor of the blue tape, rather than the various newer versions with different color codes. I find they don't seem to stick as well, although they do have a thinner edge which is beneficial for masking.

[Bill Sutherland]

Most all of my use will be “clamping” also.

[Ted Derryberry]

Jim, have you tried the green flavor? It sticks better than the blue in my experience.

[Jim Becker]

Jim, have you tried the green flavor? It sticks better than the blue in my experience.

Not to-date, but I should do that when my current supply dwindles...I know that the green flavor is supposed to be better for masking lines, but since I rarely use tape when house painting, there's no experience on my part with it.

[Ted Derryberry]

I hear you. I do every thing possible to avoid painting, but when I do I would much rather cut in a line than fool with taping it off.

I didn't even realize the green was supposed to be better for masking. I thought it was specifically made for "hard to stick" surfaces. It also has a higher tensile strength.

[Marc Jeske]

So, the main selling point of the blue is easier release... less possibility of marring or lifting "delicate surfaces"

If so, wouldn't the original white hold better when used for (most, depending on configuration) clamping situations ? ? ?

Would have higher "shear" strength of the adhesive I would think... less chance of creeping.


Sidenote.. Has anyone been surprised w residue discovered when staining?

I would think prudent to wipe area where tape was applied w strong solvent, even if it seems no residue.

Again, tape has performance qualities that cannot be known until actual use of that specific product, in a specific use, kinda like abrasives.

I would only buy a roll or two of a new to me product to start.

And just like sanding belts, definitely store back stock NOT in hot humid conditions.

Just some thoughts, Marc

[Mark Bolton]

The question is do you need the blue tape? Most people now a days buy blue tape by default for everything. It's an utter waste of money of you don't need 7-10 day release or whatever your tape is rated for. We do a lot if masking and we use different tapes for the appropriate application. Plain old yellow masking tape where needed, blue tape where needed, green 3M only where needed, and Green Frog tape ABSOLUTELY only where needed (the stuff is priced like gold and must be kept in its case. It's worse than gorrila glue for going bad).

I wouldn't skimp on any tape for brand. You save your money by not using a more expensive tape than your application requires.

[Ted Derryberry]

The yellow tape isn't as strong in my experience and is more likely to tear when you pull it off, regardless of how long it has been applied.

I've never had a problem with residue when staining, but I generally sand after removing the tape. Even if the part is already sanded and I'm fixing a small blemish it generally needs sanding over the repair anyway.

I don't use enough to worry about any price difference between yellow, blue and green. I do tend to use the blue unless the green is called for. Certainly the blue is worth any cost over the yellow just to avoid the aggravation of the yellow, and the fact that I'd probably end up throwing away most of the roll in disgust anyway.

[Edwin Santos]

Jim, have you tried the green flavor? It sticks better than the blue in my experience.


I've come across a few different green tapes. One is Frogtape. Then there are two 3M green tapes, one is a high powered tape, seems to be intended for masonry and less than smooth surfaces, the other is a much better one called 233+ which Lee Valley sells. They call it binding tape and recommend it for tape clamping edge banding, guitar bindings, etc. It has a little bit of stretch to it and removes cleanly. Works well at the miter saw for limiting tearout on the back side of a molding cut. I have found it on Amazon and Ebay.

[Marc Jeske]

The question is do you need the blue tape? Most people now a days buy blue tape by default for everything. It's an utter waste of money of you don't need 7-10 day release or whatever your tape is rated for. We do a lot if masking and we use different tapes for the appropriate application. Plain old yellow masking tape where needed, blue tape where needed, green 3M only where needed, and Green Frog tape ABSOLUTELY only where needed (the stuff is priced like gold and must be kept in its case. It's worse than gorrila glue for going bad).

I wouldn't skimp on any tape for brand. You save your money by not using a more expensive tape than your application requires.

Well said. Marc

[Ted Derryberry]

I've been using the 3M 2060 for rough surfaces and had good luck with it. When I run out maybe I'll try the 233+. I found it on Amazon and it's described as "automotive masking tape" and apparently is designed to conform to curved surfaces.

[Mark Bolton]

Most all of my use will be “clamping” also.

If your looking for clamping clear packing tape leaves no residue and has super elastic stretch (if you dont buy the cheap poop from lowes, stick with the 3m)

[Mark Bolton]

The only time we ever have problems with straight masking tape (yellow) is when rolls are very cold, when you buy cheap tape, or when you poorly care for your rolls of tape. Yellow tape does tend to tear if you toss it in a box and the edges of the roll get dinged and nicked. But if your rolls are decent, and reasonably not-cold (lol) it works and releases fine from any material such as glass, metal, etc.. We mask a lot of glass and I would go nuts if we masked it all with blue tape.

This has come up here before and it all of course depends on how much tape you use, and your budget. If you are an individual who only uses a bit of tape here and there, hobby level, and just buy 2" wide blue tape at the box store by default, thats one thing. We tend to keep all (other than Frog Tape) on hand. Sleeves of blue tape are expensive lol.

[Ted Phillips]

The green 233 tape is awesome stuff. It is indeed called "binding tape" and is used by luthiers and others as a tape-based clamping mechanism. The tape has a bit of stretch that allows you to really get some pressure on the joint. Great stuff - but a little spendy. When you need it, it can be a lifesaver.

[Mark Bolton]

Well said. Marc

Right back at ya.

[Warren Lake]

3M green from automotive 233, bought cheaper tape once and it was crap then got worse in short time. Whatever tape you buy be sure its fresh. I get 233 by the box from auto suppliers good pricing great tape that can do any function. Ive probably seen it one off price in retail for 2-3 times per roll of what I pay for it. They have higher priced versions as well, one of them blue they use in the aluminum industry for taping up coils or raw eves material before it is run, stronger more plastic like. Never had any issues in applications with the 233 even use it for masking off one or two layers when sandblasting.

[Dick Strauss]

Don't buy the Home Depot Hdx brand of blue tape...it doesn't hold nearly as well as the real deal and was a complete waste of my money and time. I applied it on a smooth surface, rubbed it down really well and came back 30 min later to find more than half of it floating in the air with the rest barely attached!

[Ted Derryberry]

From what I've seen the HDX line is a step down from the Husky line. I didn't think that was even possible.

[Mark Bolton]

From what I've seen the HDX line is a step down from the Husky line. I didn't think that was even possible.

Its amazing how far down those places will drive quality. In a moment of weakness I picked up a pack of packing tape (12 rolls or something) from the blue box and didnt get the 3M. What a mistake. The stuff is so thin it nearly tears just peeling it from the roll. It barely sticks at all. Im tempted take the opened pack back and try to get credit. Same thing with their stretch wrap. The stuff is the thinnest economy grade you can buy. Utter junk.

Sad that this has gone on so long that many consumers simply know no better. It has become "the norm".

[Ted Derryberry]

I bet they'll give you credit for it.

If you buy packing supplies in largish quantities try packagingsuppliesbymail.com (10% code "PSBM10") and packagingprice.com.

[Marc Jeske]

On SC, Thou shalt not use the name of Norm in vain.

Marc

[Bob Falk]

+1
awful tape. will never buy again

[Curt Harms]

From what I've seen the HDX line is a step down from the Husky line. I didn't think that was even possible.

HDX = Harbor Freight from what I can see.