GB2491618A

GB2491618A - Masking tape with line of weakness

Info

Publication number: GB2491618A
Application number: GB1109599.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-09
Filing date: 2011-06-09
Publication date: 2012-12-12
Also published as: GB201109599D0

Abstract

A masking tape 14 having an adhesive side 31 and a non-adhesive side comprises a line a weakness 20 along its length, wherein the line of weakness is breakable to allow, in use, a portion of the tape to be removed. Preferably, the line of weakness separates an adhesive portion 32 and a non-adhesive portion 34. The line of weakness may be a series of cuts (25, Fig. 4) or perforations (27, Fig. 5). The non-adhesive portion is typically wider than the adhesive portion. A guide line (42, Fig. 4) may be provided adjacent the line of weakness on the non-adhesive portion. A method of painting using the masking tape is also disclosed.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Masking Tape

Technical Field

The invention relates to improvements in or relating to a masking tape, a method of painting using a masking tape, and a wall furnishing comprising a masking tape.

Background

A typical room has a skirting board at a foot of a wall and an architrave between a ceiling and the wall. The wall may also have a dado rail. Furthermore, windows in the room may be surrounded by a wooden trim on the wall. Together the skirting board, the architrave, the dado rail, and the wooden trim may be known as room furnishings, wall furnishings or second fixings. When the room is decorated the walls and the ceiling may be painted with a different colour to the room furnishings, or with a different type of paint. For example, a wall is typically painted with an emulsion paint, and the skirting board is typically painted with a gloss paint. To paint neatly up to a line where two edges or colours meet, such as around the wall furnishings, it is necessary to use a painting technique known as cutting in'. This technique requires a person to accurately paint a straight line up to the wall furnishing using a paint brush, which necessitates a degree of skill and competence with the paint brush. A problem with such a technique is that the person may not have the required skill to achieve a satisfactory finish.

An alternative to cutting in' is to use a masking tape. Typically the masking tape has an adhesive side which is stuck to a surface to protect it from paint. For example, when painting the skirting board and the wall, the skirting board may be painted first and allowed to dry before applying the masking tape to it so that there is a straight edge of masking tape adjacent to the wall. The wall is then painted, and the masking tape is then removed. The same process for using the masking tape may be completed for the architrave, the dado rail and the wooden trim around the windows.

There are many problems with such a way of using a masking tape. Typically the application of the masking tape is time consuming, and it may be difficult to stick the masking tape in the correct place to achieve an accurate straight line. In the above example of painting a wall and skirting board, when the paint is applied to the wall it may bleed underneath the masking tape so that an accurate straight line of paint is not achieved. Furthermore, when the masking tape is removed from the skirting board it may tear paint away from the wall or skirting board, which also spoils the straight line of paint. If this occurs the user must then touch up the spoilt line with a fine paintbrush, which is also time consuming.

Another problem with using a masking tape in the manner described above is that the user must allow one painted surface to dry before sticking the masking tape to it, and then painting the other surface. If the one painted surface is not dry before applying the masking tape, the painted surface may be spoilt by the adhesive of the masking tape.

Overall using a masking tape in the manner described above is time consuming and difficult to get right to achieve a straight line with a high quality finish.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages of previously known ways of painting using a masking tape.

Summary

What is required is a masking tape a wall furnishing, and a method of painting using a masking tape which may reduce or minimise at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a masking tape having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side, the masking tape having a line of weakness along the length of the masking tape, the line of weakness being breakable to allow a portion of the masking tape to be removed along the length of the masking tape.

Such a masking tape provides the advantage that it can be used with an item of wall furnishing to achieve a straight line of paint between a wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing, also known as a second fixing. It will be appreciated that the item of is wall furnishing may be an item such as a skirting board, an architrave, a dado rail, and a wooden trim. Such an advantage is achieved by sticking the masking tape on the item of wall furnishing prior to securing it to a wall or ceiling. It will be appreciated that the masking tape is to be placed on the item of wall furnishing so that the line of weakness is adjacent to an edge of the wall furnishing. After the wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing have been painted, the line of weakness can be broken to remove a portion of the masking tape. A portion of the masking tape is also left between the wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing.

With such an arrangement the requirement for cutting in' is avoided, and it is less complex and time consuming to neatly paint up to a line where two edges or colours meet. Furthermore, it is easier to stick the masking tape in the correct location because it may be applied to the wall furnishing prior to securing it to the wall, In addition, with such a masking tape the requirement to wait for one painted surface to dry before applying the masking tape and then painting the other surface is avoided. Such an arrangement may avoid spoiling of a painted surface. In addition, the problem of spoiling a straight line due to paint bleeding underneath the masking tape is also avoided because a portion of the masking tape is left between the wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing.

Preferably the adhesive side comprises an adhesive portion on one side of the line of weakness and a non-adhesive portion on the other side of the line of weakness. This has the advantage that the non-adhesive portion does not stick to the item of wall furnishing is when the wall or ceiling is painted.

In one embodiment the line of weakness comprises a series of cuts. The series of cuts may permit a free edge of the masking tape to be removed more easily so that the portion of the masking tape between the item of wall furnishing and the wall or the ceiling is less visible.

In another embodiment the line of weakness comprises a series of perforations.

Preferably the adhesive portion has a width of between 10 -40mm. In a preferred embodiment the adhesive portion has a width of substantially 25mm. Such a dimension has the advantage of being of a sufficient size to stick the masking tape to the item of wall furnishing.

Preferably the non-adhesive portion has a width of between 10 -70mm. In a preferred embodiment the non-adhesive portion has a width of substantially 3 0mm. Such a dimension has the advantage of providing a sufficiently sized free end of the masking tape to guard against accidentally painting the wall, the ceiling or the item of wall fumishing with the wrong paint.

Preferably the width of the adhesive portion is less than the width of the non-adhesive portion. Such an arrangement is preferable to allow a smaller portion of the masking tape to be stuck to the item of wall furnishing, and a larger portion of the masking tape to act as a guard to avoid accidentally painting the wall, the ceiling or the item of wall fumishing with the wrong paint.

Preferably the masking tape further includes a guide line which is adjacent to the line of weakness. Such a guide line provides the advantage of assisting a user with accurate placement of the masking tape along an edge of the item of wall fumishing.

In one embodiment the guide line is provided on the non-adhesive portion of the masking tape. In another embodiment the guide line is provided on the non-adhesive side of the masking tape. Either of these arrangements may assist with sticking of the masking tape onto the item of wall furnishing.

Preferably the guide line is between 1 -3mm from the line of weakness. In a preferred embodiment the guide line is substantially 2mm from the line of weakness. Such an arrangement and dimension has the advantage of being able to set the distance of the line of weakness from the edge of the item of wall furnishing when the masking tape is stuck to the item of wall furnishing.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall furnishing comprising a masking tape according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of painting using a masking tape having an adhesive side, a non-adhesive side, and a line of weakness along the length of the masking tape, the method including: sticking the masking tape to an item of wall furnishing so that a first portion of the masking tape is stuck to the item of wall furnishing and the line of weakness is adjacent to an edge thereof, and wherein a second portion of the masking tape comprising a free end which runs along the edge; securing the item of wall furnishing to a wall or a ceiling so that the first portion of the masking tape is between the item of wall furnishing and the wall or ceiling; painting at least one of the item of wall furnishing, and the wall or ceiling; and breaking the line of weakness to remove the second portion of the masking tape along the line of weakness.

Such a method provides the advantage that it can be used to achieve a straight line of paint between a wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing, also known as a second fixing. It will be appreciated that the item of wall furnishing may be an item such as a skirting board, an architrave, a dado rail, and a wooden trim. It will be appreciated that breaking the line of weakness means that the first portion of the masking tape is left between the wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing. With such an arrangement the requirement for cutting in' is avoided, and it is less complex and time consuming to neatly paint up to a line where two edges or colours meet. Furthermore, it is easier to stick the masking tape in the correct location because it may be applied to the wall furnishing prior to attaching it to the wall. In addition, with such a method the requirement to wait for one painted surface to dry before applying the masking tape and then painting the other surface is avoided. Such an arrangement may avoid spoiling of a painted surface. In addition, the problem of spoiling a straight line due to paint bleeding underneath the masking tape is also avoided because a portion of the masking tape is left between the wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing.

Preferably the line of weakness comprises a series of cuts or a series of perforations, and the method further includes said breaking the line of weakness comprising tearing the masking tape along the series of cuts or the series of perforations. Such a method may permit a free edge of the masking tape to be removed more easily so that the first portion of the masking tape between the item of wall furnishing and the wall or the ceiling is less visible.

Preferably the masking tape includes a guide line which is adjacent to the line of weakness, the method further including sticking the masking tape to the item of wall furnishing so that the guide line is adjacent to the edge thereof Such a method provides the advantage of assisting a user with accurate placement of the masking tape along an edge of the item of wall furnishing.

Any preferred or optional features of one aspect of the invention may be preferred or optional feature of other aspects of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; is Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a skirting board and a wall with a masking tape according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a piece of masking tape according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a detail of Figure 3 according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a detail of Figure 3 according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 when used for painting a wall; Figure 7 shows a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 when used for painting a skirting board; Figure 8 shows a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 with a portion of the masking tape removed; and Figure 9 shows a diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a skirting board 10 and a wall 12 with a masking tape 14 according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 16. The skirting board 10 is shown to be secured to a wall 12, in a conventional manner using fixings or adhesive. The masking tape 14 is shown to be located between the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 so that there is a free edge 18 of the masking tape 14 along the length of the skirting board 10. To achieve this arrangement the masking tape 14 is is stuck to the skirting board 10 prior to securing the skirting board 10 to the wall 12. The skirting board 10 is of a conventional kind, for example made of wood. The masking tape 14 comprises a substrate having two sides. One side of the masking tape 14 is non-adhesive, and the other side of the masking tape 14 has an adhesive portion 32 running along the length thereof as described below. The adhesive portion 32 is used to stick the masking tape 14 to the skirting board 10. The substrate of the masking tape 14 is of a conventional kind, for example, being paper based.

In use the free edge 18 of the masking tape 14 is moved by hand towards the wall 12 and the skirting board 10 is then painted. The free edge 18 of the masking tape 14 is then moved by hand towards the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 is then painted. The free edge 18 of the masking tape 14 is then removed by tearing it along a line of weakness 20 of the masking tape 14. Such an arrangement allows a neat line to be formed between the wall 12 and the skirting board 10 where different paint is used for the skirting board 10 and the wall 12. It will be appreciated that the substrate of the masking tape 14 should be of a kind that permits tearing along the line of weakness.

In Figure 1 the masking tape 14 is shown to be used with a skirting board 10. It will be appreciated that the masking tape 14 may be used with another item of wall furnishing such as an architrave, a dado rail, and a trim around a window to achieve the same result of a neat paint line between the wall or ceiling and the item of wall furnishing. The architrave may also be known as an item of wall furnishing because it is adjacent to a wall albeit adjacent to a ceiling as well, The item of wall furnishing may also be known as a second fixing. The second fixings are named as such because they are typically is fitted to a house after first fixing, which may include electricity wires for lights and sockets.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail 22 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 2 the line of weakness 20 of the masking tape 14 can be seen more clearly. The line of weakness 20 allows the free end 18 of the masking tape 14 to be removed more easily so that a neat paint line between the wall 12 and the skirting board 10 is obtained when the free end 18 is removed. The line of weakness 20 may be a scored line or a series of holes in the masking tape 14 such as cuts 25 or perforations 27 as described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5, or any line or arrangement that permits the free end 18 of the masking tape 14 to be removed easily. In Figure 2 the masking tape 14 is shown to be stuck to the skirting board 10 so that the line of weakness 20 is slightly below an upper edge 24 of the skirting board 10 as shown by the dotted line 26. The dimension between the upper edge 24 and the line of weakness 20 may be between 1 - 3 mm as shown by double arrows 28. In a preferred arrangement the dimension shown at 28 is substantially 2mm. Such an arrangement permits the free edge 18 of the masking tape 14 to be removed so that the portion of masking tape 14 between the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 is less visible.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a piece of masking tape 14 according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 30. In Figure 3 like features to the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 3 an adhesive side 31 of the masking tape 14 is shown. The adhesive side 31 of the masking tape 14 comprises an adhesive portion 32 and a non-adhesive portion 34 which both run along the length of the masking tape 14. The adhesive portion 32 and the non-adhesive portion 34 are on either side of the line of weakness 20. The masking tape 14 has substantially straight parallel edges 33, 35. The parallel edges 33, 35, the line of weakness 20, the adhesive portion 32, and the non-adhesive portion 34 run along the length of the masking tape 14, and are all substantially parallel to each other when the masking tape 14 is flat. It will be appreciated that the line of weakness 20 is substantially straight when the masking tape 14 is flat so that a straight edge of an item of wall furnishing can be followed more easily. The masking tape 14 may be provided on a roll of tape, or as individual strips of a suitable length, for example between 100 -3 00mm.

In a preferred embodiment the width of the adhesive portion 32 is about 25mm as shown by the double headed arrow 36, and the width of the non-adhesive portion 34 is about 40mm as shown by the double headed arrow 38. Such an arrangement provides a sufficiently large adhesive portion 32 for the masking tape 14 to stick to the skirting board 10, and a sufficiently large free end 18 to separate the wall 12 from the skirting board 10 to allow convenient painting thereof. Overall the masking tape 14 is about 65mm in width. The dimensions of the adhesive portion 32 and the non-adhesive portion 34 may be between 20 -30mm and 35 -45mm respectively. It will be appreciated that the adhesive portion 32 may be between 10 -40mm in width, and the non-adhesive portion 34 may be between 10 -70mm in width. Overall the masking tape 14 may have a width of between 20 -110mm. Such dimensions allow the masking tape is 14 to be used in the manner described herein.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a detail 40 of Figure 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 4 like features to the arrangements of Figure 3 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 4 the line of weakness 20 is shown to be a series of cuts 25 through the masking tape 14. Also shown is a guide line 42 which is adjacent to, and substantially parallel with the series of cuts 25. The guide line 42 is a marking or line which is stamped, printed or drawn onto the non-adhesive portion 34 of the masking tape 14. The dimension between the guide line 42 and the series of cuts 25 may be between 1 -3 mm as shown by double arrows 44. In a preferred arrangement the dimension shown at 44 is substantially 2mm. Such an arrangement permits the masking tape 14 to be stuck to the skirting board 10 or other item of wall furnishing so that the guide line 42 follows an edge thereof Accordingly the free edge 18 of the masking tape 14 can be removed so that the portion of masking tape 14 remaining between the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 is less visible.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a detail 40 of Figure 3 according to another embodiment of the invention. In Figure 5 like features to the arrangements of Figures 3 and 4 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 5 the line of weakness 20 is shown to be a series of perforations 27 through the masking tape 14. It will be appreciated that the perforations 27 are a series of holes of an appropriate size. The guide line 42 is also shown which is adjacent to, and substantially parallel with the series of perforations 27. The dimension between the guide line 42 and the series of perforations 27 may be between 1 -3 mm as shown by double arrows 44. In a preferred arrangement the dimension shown at 44 is substantially 2mm. Such an arrangement may be used in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figure 4. Using a series of cuts 25 instead of a series of perforations 27 may be preferable because the portion of the masking tape 14 left between the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 may be less visible after the free end 18 has been removed.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 show side views of the arrangement of Figure 1 when used for painting a wall 12 and a skirting board 10. Figure 6 shows a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 when used for painting a wall 12. In Figure 6 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 6 the masking tape 14 has been stuck to the skirting board 10, and then the skirting board has been secured to the wall 12. The line of weakness 20 of the masking tape 14 is represented by a dot. In Figures 6 -8 the gap between the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 is shown to be larger than it normally would be for illustrative puiposes. In Figure 6 after the skirting board 10 has been secured to the wall 12, the free end 18 of the masking tape 14 is moved towards the skirting board 10 as shown at 50 so that the wall 12 can be painted.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 when used for painting a skirting board 10. In Figure 7 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 and 6 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 7 after the wall 12 has been painted, the free end 18 of the masking tape 14 is moved towards the wall 12 as shown at 52 so that the skirting board 10 can be painted. It will be appreciated that whereas the wall 12 is shown to eb painted first, ahematively the skirting board 10 may be painted first.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 with a portion of the masking tape 14 removed. In Figure 8 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1, 6 and 7 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 8 after the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 have been painted, the free end 18 of the masking tape 14 is removed by tearing it along the line of weakness 20. The part of the masking tape 14 with the adhesive portion 32 remains between the wall 12 and the skirting board 10. It can be seen that the edge of the masking tape 14 between the skirting board 10 and the wall 12 is below the top edge of the skirting board by 1 -3mm so that it is less visible or substantially invisible when viewed from above.

Figure 9 shows a diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 60. The method 60 is a method of painting using a masking tape 14 having an adhesive side 31, a non-adhesive side, and a line of weakness 20 along the length of the masking tape 14. The method includes sticking the masking tape 14 to an item of wall furnishing 10, as shown at 62, so that a first portion 32 of the masking tape 14 is stuck to the item of wall furnishing 10 and the line of weakness 20 is adjacent to an edge thereof, and wherein a second portion 34 of the masking tape 14 comprising a free end 18 which runs along the edge. The method includes securing the item of wall furnishing 10 to a wall 12 or a ceiling, as shown at 62, so that the first portion 32 of the masking tape 14 is between the item of wall furnishing 10 and the wall 12 or ceiling.

The method includes painting the wall 12 or ceiling, as shown at 66. The method includes painting the item of wall furnishing 10, as shown at 68. It will be appreciated that in one arrangement the method may include painting at least one of the item of wall is furnishing 10, and the wall 12 or the ceiling. The method includes breaking the line of weakness 20 to remove the second portion 34 of the masking tape 14 along the line of weakness 20, as shown at 70.

It will further be appreciated that the steps 62, 64, 66, 68 may be completed in any suitable order. For example, the step of painting the wall 12 or ceiling as shown at 66 may be completed before the item of wall furnishing 10 with the masking tape 14 stuck to it is secured to the wall 12 or the ceiling as shown at steps 62, 64. The step of painting the item of wall furnishing 10, shown at 68 may then completed, before the step of breaking the line of weakness 20 to remove the second portion 34 of the masking tape 14, shown at 70.

The line of weakness 20 comprises a series of cuts 25 or a series of perforations 27.

Said breaking 70 the line of weakness 20 comprises tearing the masking tape 14 along the series of cuts 25 or the series of perforations 27, as shown at 72. The masking tape 14 further includes a guide line 42 which is adjacent to the line of weakness 20. The method including said sticking of the masking tape 14 to the item of wall furnishing 10 so that the guide line 42 is adjacent to the edge thereof In the above embodiments the masking tape 14 is described as having an adhesive portion 32 on one side thereof In one arrangement the adhesive is a low tack adhesive which provides sufficient adhesion to hold the masking tape 14 in place when the item of wall furnishing is secured to the wall 12, and also permits the masking tape 14 to be disbanded and repositioned on the item of wall furnishing prior to securing it to the wall 12 without a significant loss of sticking ability of the adhesive. Such a low tack adhesive causes no damage to the wall furnishing on removal and leaves no residue. It will be appreciated that the adhesive portion 32 is of a sufficient size to inhibit movement of the masking tape 14 when it is stuck to the wall furnishing. Such an adhesive is a temporary adhesive and can be used more than once. Such an adhesive has a relatively low peel strength, and has a sufficiently high shear strength to hold the masking tape 14 in position during painting. Such an adhesive may also be described as a pressure sensitive adhesive.

In one embodiment the masking tape 14 is applied to the item of wall furnishing using a dispenser to set the distance of the line of weakness 20 from the edge 24of the item of wall furnishing. The dispenser may be a hand held device for holding a role of masking tape 14, and with a guide edge to set the distance of the line of weakness 20 from the edge of the item of wall furnishing. Such an arrangement may reduce the time taken to apply the masking tape 14 to the item of wall furnishing.

The above embodiments describe the masking tape 14, and a method 60 of painting using the masking tape. It will be appreciated that in another embodiment the item of wall furnishing, such as a skirting board, an architrave, a dado rail, and a trim around a window may be provided with the masking tape 14 already stuck to it. With such an arrangement the item of wall furnishing having the masking tape 14 stuck to it could be sold as a single item so that it is ready for use.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A masking tape having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side, the masking tape having a line of weakness along the length of the masking tape, the line of weakness being breakable to allow a portion of the masking tape to be removed along the length of the masking tape.
2. A masking tape according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive side comprises an adhesive portion on one side of the line of weakness and a non-adhesive portion on the other side of the line of weakness.
3. A masking tape according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the line of weakness comprises a series of cuts or a series ofperforations.
4. A masking tape according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive portion has a width of between 10-40mm.
5. A masking tape according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive portion has a width of substantially 25mm.
6. A masking tape according to claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein the non-adhesive portion has a width of between 10 -70mm.
7. A masking tape according to claim 6, wherein the non-adhesive portion has a width of substantially 3 0mm.
8. A masking tape according to any of claims 3 -7, wherein the width of the adhesive portion is less than the width of the non-adhesive portion.
9. A masking tape according to any preceding claim, and further including a guide line which is adjacent to the line of weakness.
10. A masking tape according to claim 9, wherein the guide line is provided on the non-adhesive portion of the masking tape.
11. A masking tape according to claim 9, wherein the guide line is provided on the non-adhesive side of the masking tape.
12. A masking tape according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the guide line is between 1 -3mm from the line of weakness.
13. A masking tape according to claim 12, wherein the guide line is substantially 2mm from the line of weakness.
14. A masking tape as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1 -8 of the accompanying drawings.
15. A wall furnishing comprising a masking tape according to any preceding claim.
16. A wall furnishing as substantially described herein with reference to Figure 1 -9 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A method of painting using a masking tape having an adhesive side, a non-adhesive side, and a line of weakness along the length of the masking tape, the method including: sticking the masking tape to an item of wall fumishing so that a first portion of the masking tape is stuck to the item of wall furnishing and the line of weakness is adjacent to an edge thereof, and wherein a second portion of the masking tape comprising a free end which runs along the edge; securing the item of wall furnishing to a wall or a ceiling so that the first portion of the masking tape is between the item of wall furnishing and the wall or ceiling; painting at least one of the item of wall furnishing, and the wall or ceiling; and breaking the line of weakness to remove the second portion of the masking tape along the line of weakness.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the line of weakness comprises a series of cuts or a series of perforations, and said breaking the line of weakness comprises tearing the masking tape along the series of cuts or the series of perforations.
19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the masking tape includes a guide line which is adjacent to the line of weakness, the method further including sticking the masking tape to the item of wall furnishing so that the guide line is adjacent to the edge thereof
20. A method as substantially described herein with reference to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.