Decent, cheap masking tape...

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cleaver
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Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by cleaver »

.... I know those words don't often go together! But can anyone recommend decent, cheap masking tape please (preferably Screwfix or the like, not some 'min order £100' place)?

Currently have a roll of Toolstation's cheapest stuff, and it is useless - only had it a month or so, and it shards off in 6 inch jagged strips ....if you are lucky. They have dearer stuff....I should probably have sprung for one of those, but you expect any tape to at least be capable of being peeled off its roll :head:

Again, it's more for DIY, the wife's painting (and getting cat hairs off my clothes!) than for any framing uses.

Hope you all had a nice weekend and enjoyed the weather :sun: .

Paul
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by Steve N »

My wife swears by Frog Tape (the green stuff) , she only used some over the weekend :clap:
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cleaver
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by cleaver »

That's a coincidence; I've been swearing at this cheap stuff....every time it splits when I try to peel some off :lol:

Thanks, Steve. It's six quid a roll, but I think I'm going to have to stop being such a skinflint!
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by Not your average framer »

Excuse me for saying so, but aren't decent and cheap normally mutually exclusive terms. I would suggest that it would help if we could define what properties you are expecting from your so called decent masking tape. Then we might get a little closer to suggesting tapes worth looking at. Most of the bigger framers around my area buy their masking tapes from local packaging companies and if you are looking for what is probably the best conbination of decent and cheap, may I suggest a nice heavy weight gummed brown paper tape.

I buy several rolls of gummed brown paper tape from time to time, with a specified weight of 90 gsm, if I could buy something heavier than that without being forced to buy an unnecesarily large quantiy, I'd go for that, but don't expect a tape with a waterbased tape to adequately adhere to the waterproof surface on a waterproof backing board. There are suppliers who claim that their waterproof backing boards are compatible with water based adhesive tapes and it's true that they sort of stick a bit at first, but my experience says not for as long as it needs to be.

There are still some who use non-waterproof backing boards and gummed brown paper tape and wax the backs of their framed work for waterproofing and presentation, which is not a difficult thing to do, if you are of that persuasion. I am of course assuming that you are also intending to use this tape foe sealing the backs of frames as well, as other uses.
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by fusionframer »

I know a couple of decorators who put the masking tape in the microwave for just 10 seconds in the morning. Presumably, it warms up the adhesive slightly and it peals off a treat.

Never tried it as i had given up and moved to frog tape, bur worth a go.

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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by GeoSpectrum »

Try UK industrial tapes. But you may have an MOQ to deal with. I buy my rolls of framing tape from them in boxes of 72 and resell for a decent profit.
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by Not your average framer »

Every type of tape will be manufactured to a specification. There's not much future in a manufacturer setting out to produce something which does not comply with the specification which the distributor requires. The distributor can save money by reducing the length of tape on a roll, the thickness and quality of the paper and the coat weight and quality of the adhesive. The overall specification is pretty much what the distributor is expecting to sell into that market. The reality is that there is almost always an over run of the original order quantity, so that accidental damage and defects can be made up for and the surplus materials included in what the manufacturer had to purchase for the original order can be sold, rather than just thrown away.

Such surplus rolls of tape get sold to anyone who will take it, usually for whatever can be got for it. Pound shops are full of stuff like this, I'm not saying stuff like this is no good, it's just superior materials and specifications tend to be sold into a different market at a different price. You really do need to identify what parameters you require from your tape and then look for the best priced source for the quantity you are willing to buy at that time. Everybody selling time will be very happy to sell whatever they have in stock to you, if you are not particular about what you are buying and price is the principle factor, that's usually what you will get. No ones stitching anyone up, you pay your money and takes your choice.
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prospero
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by prospero »

I buy loads of masking tape and oddly enough I use it for masking. :P There are a bewildering variety. Some are very sticky, some
won't stick except to things you don't want them to.

My strategy is to go on EBay and look for something likely. At the right price. The specialist 'painters' tapes are good but they are not
really economic. Six or seven quid for a little roll is not on. A 38mm x 50m roll at about <£2 a roll is more-or-less the target price.
Buy maybe 5 rolls and as soon as it comes, test it out. If it's OK, buy some more while it's going. Otherwise you'll never find it again.
If it turns out crap then use it for general wrapping and wotnot and stuff and try another supplier.
Buying by the box saves a lot.

FWIW I presently have some tape branded 'Ultratape' on the inside of the roll. Good stuff. :wink:
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by Justintime »

If it's for masking, Frog Tape from Jewsons, a few different widths and types. It's worth the extra.
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cleaver
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Re: Decent, cheap masking tape...

Post by cleaver »

Cheers all.

Got some 'Eurocel**' from Toolstation. Seems fine....al I wanted was something that would actually peel from the roll without disintegrating (not much to ask you'd think!).

Anyway, this stuff seems the ticket, and reviews very well.

** on offer at £2.88 for 50 metres of 2 inch.
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