Tape is best for smooth surfaces.   A textured surface will require much more attention to achieve a seal and sharp line. Extra care should be taken to press down the edge of the tape.

Apply the tape to the properly prepared painted surface.   The surface should be dry, clean and free of dust. New drywall should be primed and painted with at least two finish coats. A newly painted surface should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before taping. Some paints may require a longer time to fully cure.

Use water-based paint.   Some products like FrogTape® are activated by water. The best results will be achieved when using latex or acrylic paints. If you plan to use an oil-based or lacquer finish test first to determine the effectiveness of the tape.

Avoid stretching the tape.    The tape is pliable and will stretch some as it is pulled from the roll. The best results will come when stretching is kept to a minimum. Pull the tape off the roll slowly and apply it gently to align it on your marks.

You might need a helper.    Long sections can be hard to tape off by yourself. Though you could apply short sections of tape at a time, I have found it hard to perfectly align the matching sections so I pull off the required amount and have a helper hold one end. If you are working alone maybe you could stick one end on a door frame or ladder while you apply the other.

Remove the tape soon after painting your finish coat.    Painting over the tape will form a bridge of paint. The tape should be removed before this layer of paint has fully cured. In some cases you may need to remove and reapply the tape between coats.

You've heard the expression, "The devil's in the details." Well when it comes to painting, the devil's in the prep work. And it can be a heck of a job. Repairing damaged walls, filling holes, spackling, sanding and priming are all important steps to a perfect paint job. Be realistic about your abilities. If you're not comfortable with these chores, consider hiring a professional. A painting contractor will take care of choosing the right paint and prepping the surfaces.

Pros of Do-it-Yourself Painting
Without question, the primary advantage to DIY painting is a large cut in the cost of getting the job done. The only expenses are the supplies, such as primer, paint, paintbrushes, drop clothes, etc. The distinct downside is that saving money may be the only valid argument for DIY painting that belongs in the pro column.

Pros of Hiring a Professional Painter
• Painting takes time. Whereas a homeowner can get stuck in the middle of a paint project due to lack of time, professionals are able to focus on the task at hand and get the job done, often in just one to two days. The average homeowner who works a full-time job takes, on average, up to a month to complete an exterior paint job. In addition, one company kept records which indicated that one out of five people who tackle do-it-yourself paint jobs end up hiring a professional to finish the work.

• If something goes wrong with the paint job, most professional painters are covered by insurance and can make things right.

• In theory, painting is easy. Reality is a different story, however. It requires skill, the proper tools, and the right paint to accomplish a professional-quality paint job.

• Allowing professionals to do your painting can mean that you have saved yourself the pain and hassle of being injured. The majority of all ladder accidents involve falls from step ladders, from 2’ to 6’ high.

• Professionals have the right tools for achieving a quality paint job. If a homeowner were to purchase the high-quality supplies and equipment that a pro uses, it would be very costly. Even the use of certain paint brushes for certain types of paint and for certain parts of the project make a big difference, and the professionals know the best brushes as well as rollers to use.

• An amateur may not realize the importance of using certain types of paint in certain
parts of the home, a problem that won’t arise with professionals on the job.

• The tough parts of a paint job are standard procedure for a professional. Wherever taping is needed, for example, it will be done expertly with clean lines.

• Professionals use paint that produces the best results, both for beauty and durability.

• Painting is what the professionals specialize in. It only makes sense that they will do a better job than an amateur and will know what problems to avoid and best practices to apply. After all, they know all the tricks of the trade.