Masking varnished wood

[Aslakfi]

Newbie question here - I'm trying to paint the walls of our attic room but want to mask the wooden beams so that the paint is nice and neat against it. However the masking tape has a tendency to take the varnish off the wooden beams. Any suggestions?

 

[SFK]

Use the Lower adhesive masking tape.
It is normally blue tape in B&Q.
Also remove it as quickly as possible after painting.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/scotchblue-multi-surface-masking-tape-41m-x-24mm

 

[Aslakfi]

Thanks. Would you wait for the paint to dry at all before removing the tape, or remove it literally after finishing painting?

 

[SFK]

Depends.
I am a diyer.
I have some walls where orginal paint is poor so I have to put on tape carefully (ie softly) and remove it as soon as I can (ie as soon as finished painting).

Most walls I can leave on and take down at end of the day.

Never leave on for longer as the glue drys and takes off paint.