TradeGear stocks four painter’s tapes, and picking between them really comes down to one question: what's the application? Pro Contractor is the everyday indoor tape. Pro Precision Line is built for outdoor work and aluminium joinery up to 60 days. Pro Japanese Washi is the premium option — a genuine washi (Japanese paper) tape rated for 100 days outdoors in heat and all conditions, with zero residue on removal. Pro Delicate exists for surfaces a stronger adhesive would damage.
| Tape | Best for | Hold time | Adhesion | Line quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Contractor | Everyday indoor masking | 30 days — indoor use; short-duration only if used outdoors | High adhesion, high tensile strength | Sharp, zero paint bleed |
| Pro Precision Line | Outdoor work, aluminium joinery | 60 days outdoors | Moderate adhesion, ultra-thin | Razor-sharp lines |
| Pro Japanese Washi (Premium) | Extended outdoor exposure, heat, all conditions | 100 days outdoors | Moderate adhesion, ultra-thin | The cleanest lines of the range, zero residue |
| Pro Delicate | Freshly painted or delicate surfaces | 10 days (sensitive surfaces) / 60 days (glass, joinery, timber, metal) | Lower adhesion — won’t lift fresh paint or damage the substrate | Ultra-sharp on smooth surfaces |
Pro Contractor — the everyday indoor tape
Slightly thicker than the other three, with high adhesion and tensile strength for a sharp, bleed-free line. This is built primarily for indoor masking — trim, skirting, window and door surrounds — and it's the default when you're not sure which tape a job needs. It's UV resistant and waterproof so it can handle outdoor work too, but treat that as short-duration cover, not an extended install — that's what Precision Line and Japanese Washi are for. Suitable for all paint types with sprayer, roller or brush application. Available in 18mm, 24mm, 36mm and 48mm widths, single rolls or trade cartons.
Pro Precision Line — outdoor work & aluminium joinery
An ultra-thin washi tape for razor-sharp lines, rated for 60 days outdoors — the tape to reach for on aluminium joinery and other outdoor jobs that need more than a Contractor tape's short-duration exposure but don't need the full 100-day Japanese Washi. Moderate adhesion holds securely to smooth and semi-smooth surfaces with easy, clean removal. Suitable for all paint types with sprayer, roller or brush application.
Pro Japanese Washi — the premium, 100-day outdoor tape
A genuine washi (Japanese paper) tape and the premium option in the range — rated for up to 100 days outdoors, holding through heat and a full range of conditions, with clean, residue-free removal even after that extended exposure. The same ultra-thin construction gives the cleanest paint line of the whole range, which is why it also doubles as the go-to for decorative and precision indoor work, not just long outdoor jobs.
Pro Delicate — for surfaces a strong tape would damage
Exists for one job: surfaces where a strong adhesive is the wrong tool. Fresh paint, glass, joinery — anywhere pulling the tape could do more damage than the masking was meant to prevent. Up to 10 days on sensitive, freshly painted surfaces, or 60 days on common surfaces like glass, joinery, timber and metal. It trades adhesion strength for surface safety, with ultra-sharp lines on smooth surfaces.
Quick pick
- Everyday indoor job, general masking → Pro Contractor
- Outdoor work or aluminium joinery, up to 60 days → Pro Precision Line
- Extended outdoor exposure, heat, up to 100 days, or the cleanest possible line → Pro Japanese Washi
- Fresh paint or a delicate substrate → Pro Delicate