Why We Use Masking Tape – And Still Respect the Old School

Why We Use Masking Tape – And Still Respect the Old School

🖌️ The Great Debate: Tape or Freehand?

In the world of professional painting, one question always comes up:

Should you use masking tape, or cut in freehand?

Some decorators swear that real pros don't need tape. Others rely on it to get razor-sharp lines every time.

At Pure Perfection London, we believe in results.
That’s why we often use high-quality painter’s tape – because it helps us deliver the clean, flawless finishes our clients expect.
But we still have great respect for the old-school way.

🎨 Freehand – The Old-School Art

Cutting in by hand takes years of practice. It’s fast in the hands of an expert, and it’s definitely a skill worth respecting.

“If you need tape, you’re not ready.” – a line heard on many job sites across London.

Pros:

• Fast for experienced hands

• No prep time

• No risk of pulling off paint

Cons:

• Very high skill required

• More room for error

• Mistakes take time (and money) to fix

There’s no doubt — old-school freehand painters know their craft.

🧷 Why We Prefer Masking Tape

At Pure Perfection, we often work on high-end homes and commercial properties across Clapham, Dulwich, and all over London. Our clients expect perfection — and we deliver it.

Masking tape helps us:

• Guarantee sharp, clean lines

• Protect woodwork, tiles, and fixtures

• Handle complex patterns or colour blocks

• Maintain precision on textured or uneven walls

For us, tape isn’t about taking shortcuts — it’s about delivering excellence.

Pros:

• Flawless finish

• Predictable results

• Great for detail-heavy projects

Cons:

• Slower setup

• Needs experience to apply & remove properly

• Cheap tape = bad result (we never use cheap)

🧠 Our Verdict: Tape With Technique

We don’t see it as "tape vs freehand."
We see it as choosing the best method for the best result.

We’ve worked with and learned from incredible old-school painters. But in our experience, masking tape allows us to scale precision — especially when working with a team or handling tight timelines.

Pure Perfection London is about doing things right — and doing them clean.

✅ Need Clean Lines and a Flawless Finish?

If you're looking for professional painters in London who focus on details, precision, and quality, let's talk. Whether it's a residential refresh or a full commercial project — we’ve got you.

🎯 Based in Clapham, serving South London and beyond.

👉 Contact us today

💡 Pure Perfection London – trusted decorators who paint with precision.