How to to mask molding with detail

Recently had stairs stained and some new trim attached on the stringer. It looks like a doorstop with a bit of detail. The vertical piece butts up to the stair. I want to tape off this molding so as to not get paint on the stained stair tread. How do you get the tape to follow the contour of the detail? I don't want to sit there ripping off 1/4" pieces of tape and fitting them in. Secrets?? Thanks

 

I've used automotive masking tape, it's about 1/4" wide and stretchy, but usually I just use 1/2" wide blue tape and tear into many pieces!

 

I wouldn't entirely rely on tape to keep the paint off of the woodwork. It's best to remove the tape as soon as you get done so if any paint seeped under the tape you can remove it before it dries/cures.

I'm having a hard time picturing the piece in question - got a pic?

 

It's not an elaborate profile but just enough to force some issues with taping. As you can see it sits on the tread. I came up with a couple of thoughts:

1. Allow tape to sit on molding and tread and then trim back the tape off the molding with an x-acto knife. I've seen this done when they paint cars.

2. Paint without tape and wipe paint off immediately. There is a urethane topcoat on the tread which should allow paint to be removed easily.

3. Combination of 1 and 2.

4. Trace profile on a heavier sheet of paper/stock, place on tread, paint, move on.

 

If you wanted to be ocd about it, cut off a couple inches of tape. Place it on a scrap of wood. Place a matching piece of door stop (on end) on the tape, scribe around it with an exact-o knife. Rip off the cut out. Use the rest of the piece of tape to mask it.

Personally, if i was going to mask it, i would use 3 pieces of tape on the face. One on the end of the tread (skinny side of molding) one across the face (wide side of molding) one at an angle (across the profile of the molding) folded down just enough to cover and protect the stained wood. Unless you are completely changing colors you don't need to get right up to the edges... it often looks worse if you do.

 

Great tips, especially the first paragraph tip.

 

If I have to tape something like that I'll use my utility knife to trim in ..... mainly because I always have one handy.