Light Blue Painter's Tape Vs. Dark Blue: What's The Difference?

Most DIYers already know that typical painter's tape is blue, but did you know that light and dark blue tape serve different purposes? Some brands color-code their tape to indicate its adhesive properties. Light blue offers low adhesion, while dark blue tape is generally used when stronger adhesion is needed. 

While the color of your painter's tape can be a good guide when shopping, always read the label on the tape you're considering. Not every brand uses the same color system to indicate adhesive strength. While Trimaco uses this dark/light blue system to guide shoppers, other brands like Scotch use different colors to indicate similar things. Green, yellow, and other color painter's tapes indicate different uses. For example, Scotch makes green tape for rough surfaces, such as brick walls, and the Frog brand also uses a unique color system, with each color indicating different uses. 

While the trick to a seamless painter's tape application is sitting in your wallet (hint: it's your credit or ID card), your project still won't work out correctly unless you choose the right type of tape. Regardless of that tape's color, its intended purpose is what is most important. So before buying anything, you should ask yourself a few questions. First, consider the location of your project. Is it inside and on a smooth surface? You can probably choose a tape with lower adhesion, which in some cases will be light blue. However, if you are painting a surface that is rough and uneven, you will need a stronger tape, so reach for the dark blue. 

Also consider the type of paint you're using. An oil-based paint needs a tape that's a bit stronger than for latex. This is because oil-based paints are thicker, so they can seep under a weaker tape more easily. The stronger the seal, the crisper your lines. Latex paints are usually thinner and easier to control when applying them. A less-sticky tape can still do the job if you use it instead. If you need to know how to tell whether wall paint is latex or oil when choosing paint colors for your home, the outside of the can should tell you.