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Consult these tips for the best results on your next painting project.

Applying painter’s tape sounds fairly straightforward; just use it to mask off places you don’t want painted, right? But if you’ve ever painted, you probably know it’s rarely so simple. There are several things you can do, and some you shouldn’t, to prevent the most common (and some uncommon) issues with using painter’s tape. The good news is that a trouble-free job is easy if you keep these tips in mind.

Do: Be sure the area you plan to tape off is clean. For example, if you’re applying tape to the walls and floor to paint baseboard moulding, be sure the wall and floor are free of dust, dirt, or other contaminants like oil. This ensures the tape will adhere well.

Do: Prep your surface to be painted. For trim and woodwork, this means sanding or at least scuffing with a Scotch-Brite abrasive pad. Fresh paint won’t adhere well to very smooth, cured painted surfaces.

Do: Apply painter’s tape immediately before you plan on painting.

Don’t: Apply tape the day before—or earlier—you paint. The glue on painter’s tape is intentionally less sticky than regular masking tape, so it will start to release a little on its own from tiny imperfections in the surface, which could allow paint to bleed under it.

Do: Secure the edge of the painter’s tape by pressing down with your fingertip and dragging it along the edge.

Don’t: Use a paint brush to drag paint up to or onto the tape—this can force paint under it.

Do: Use a paint brush to drag paint away from, and off of, the tape. If using a roller, try to keep it moving parallel to the tape when painting up against it.

Do: Remove tape when the paint is still a little wet, and before it has completely cured. This will allow the tape to cleanly separate from the paint with a crisp edge. It will also reveal any places where paint may have bled under the tape, giving you time to potentially clean or correct the issue.

Don’t: Wait for the paint to completely dry before removing the tape. Latex paint, especially, has a little elasticity when cured, like plastic. It can stretch and pull up off the surface with the tape, leaving an unpainted area with a jagged edge. This happens most frequently on trim or woodwork with a smooth finish that hasn’t been prepped well.

Don’t: Leave painter’s tape up for days, or longer, especially outdoors. Although the adhesive is designed to be removed easily, once then adhesive starts to dry out, it will be difficult to get off. The tape may shred and separate from the adhesive, leaving it behind and forcing you to employ solvents to remove the residue.