Keep humidity in mind when using and storing masking and paper tape.
Masking tape can be a great tool for a number of household projects. Useful for everything from labeling to painting, this easy-to-tear tape is one of the most popular types on the market. But how does it hold up in humid conditions, and what steps can you take to ensure the tape will hold?
Humidity
Humidity can and will affect the adhesion of your tape. Higher humidity in particular can result in a layer of moisture developing on surfaces, which can weaken a tape’s ability to adhere to surfaces. Lower humidity can dry out the adhesive as well as increase the amount of dust in the air.
A good way to avert this problem is to clean surfaces before you apply tape. If a surface is wet or moist, dry it off first to ensure the strongest bond.
Storage
One other aspect to consider is storage. How you store tape can affect how it holds up in general use. One of the aspects that can affect this is humidity. The same factors that apply in usage can also apply in storage.
Generally speaking, try not to store masking or painter’s tape in places of high or low humidity. Never store tape in an environment that exceeds a relative humidity of 50%. Try to store your tape somewhere that is cool, dark, and dry.
Tapes to use
Following the steps above should help you maintain your masking tape’s strength, even in some challenging situations. But some types of masking tape are specifically designed to operate in more humid environments.
