Paper or Plastic?, For Masking Options

[bbrock]

This is my latest dumb question as I continue to pretend I'm getting close enough to spraying paint to justify buying supplies. Any thoughts on using masking paper vs. masking plastic? Looks like masking plastic might be cheaper. On Youtube, Donnie Smith says both work well, but paper is a little easier for beginners to work with. Thought?

[Andyrew]

I found that applying tape to an area first, then loosely draping thin plastic and having a couple inches of extra to be able to have enough room to get my fingers on both sides of the tape and sandwiching the plastic made for a very easy and quick tape job.

The real secret to painting is spending the money on GOOD tape, and cleaning the areas your taping to. Sanding naturally makes dust and old paint jobs flake in seal channels, so its often that impropper cleaning (brass brush, air gun, degreaser) on areas your taping can yield tape that lifts. Sticky tape and enough room for the plastic to move a little will yield a solid tape job that wont come off unless you force it.

Paper is easier to adhere tape to. Thick mill plastic is the hardest due to weight.