Polka Dots - ScotchBlue™ Painter`s Tape

Polka Dots
Looking for an inexpensive
way to decorate your nursery?
Try polka dots. All you need is
ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape, a
little bit of paint, and a few
supplies you may already have
at home. With a few simple
steps, you’ll have a playful
pattern that your kids will
grow to love.
Tools
--ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape
--Paints, brush, roller & tray
--5-in-1 tool/putty knife
Preparation
--Wax paper
--Utility knife
• Remove any wall hangings (pictures, nails, fixtures)
• Fill nail holes, then use sandpaper to smooth the wall
• Make sure wall is clean, dust-free and dry completely
Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Mask & Paint Base
Step 2: Draw Template
Step 3: Cut Out Circles
Step 4: Lay Out Design
Mask trim, baseboards and
non-textured ceilings with
ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape.
Hint: use the chart on page 2
to find the right tape for your
project. Paint the wall your
lighter base color, and let it dry
for 24 hours.
Overlap strips of tape on a piece
of wax paper. Seal the edges
with long strips of tape. Then
trace a circle onto the tape
using a coffee can lid or plate
as a guide.
Cut out the circle with a utility
knife. You now have one polka
dot template and one polka dot
center. Repeat steps 2 and 3
to create enough templates for
each polka dot in your
wall pattern.
Tape the polka dot centers (the
circles you cut out) along the
wall to lay out your design. This
will allow you to easily adjust the
pattern and make sure you like
it before you set the template
and start to paint.
Step 5: Set the Pattern
Step 6: Seal Edges
Step 7: Paint the Dots
Step 8: Remove Tape
Place polka dot templates over
polka dot centers, with the wax
paper facing the wall. Peel the
wax paper from back side of
template and press remaining
tape to the wall. Remove polka
dot center.
Smooth the inner tape edges
by pressing with a 5-in-1 tool
or flexible putty knife. Hint: to
enhance your paint lines, seal the
inner tape edges with wall base
paint. Allow 12-24 hours to dry.
Apply the darker accent paint to
the polka dot templates. Let the
paint dry for 24 hours.
Carefully remove tape at a 45°
angle. If paint starts to lift, use
a sharp tool to cut along the
painted tape edge.
TM
The Right Tape for the Job
Good masking is the key to clean, professional paint lines. ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tapes
are specially designed for optimum performance when used correctly. For an extra
edge, look for tapes with Edge-Lock™ Paint Line Protector. This advanced technology
helps keep paint out and produces super sharp lines for brilliant looks and unlimited
Size & Scale Suggestions
ways to transform your space.
ScotchBlue Tape Selector
TM
Select the area & surface type to find
the right tape for the job.
None of the ScotchBlue™ Painter's Tapes are
recommended for use on lacquered surfaces.
Walls & Ceilings
Helpful Hints
Original
Advanced
Advanced
For a variety of
different textured
surfaces
For painted or
lightly textured
surfaces
For freshly painted
non-textured
surfaces
Multi-Surface
Multi-Surface
Delicate Surface
• Consider the size of the room as you determine how big or small
your polka dots will be.
• Larger dots may make a small room look and feel even smaller. If the
dots are very small, they may get lost in a larger room or get hidden
in room full of large furniture.
• Keep patterns to a minimum and low on the wall for a clean,
uncluttered design.
-Heavy Texture* (knock-down¹)
Paint Pointers
-Light Texture (orange peel²)
• When selecting a color palette for your nursery, consider
non-traditional colors such as greens and yellows.
• Choose colors that will complement or enhance the furnishings
you already have in the room.
• Before you buy, consider bringing home paint swatches or samples,
to get an idea of how the colors will look together in your space. It’s
a great way to avoid time-consuming painting mistakes.
-No Texture (smooth)
-Fresh Paint (24 hours)
Ceiling Tiles & Grids
Paneling
Vinyl Coated Wallpaper, Borders
Baseboards, Window & Door Trim
Heavy Grain Wood
Tape Tips
Smooth Grain Wood
Vinyl, Aluminum, Metal
Floors
Finished, Engineered Hardwood
Unfinished Hardwood
Carpet
Marble, Slate, Stone, Concrete
Run Tape in Circles
Seal the Deal
Vinyl, Laminate
An alternate way to create the
dots: use a template to draw
circles directly on the wall. Then
use small pieces of tape to mask
around each circle.
To sharpen your paint lines and
prevent seepage, seal the inner
tape edges with a coat of your
base color. Allow 12-24 hours
to dry.
Construction and Home
Improvement Markets Division
3M, ScotchBlue, Edge-Lock, the Plaid
Design and the BLUE color of the tape
are trademarks of 3M.
Other Interior Surfaces
Cabinets
-Heavy Grain Wood
-Smooth Grain Wood
-Paper or Veneer Laminates
Countertops, Tile, Caulk
Hardware, Glass, Porcelain
Exterior Surfaces
Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete
Hardware, Glass
Trim (vinyl, metal, wood)
Siding (vinyl, wood, non-rough clapboard)
*Once you select a tape, please test compatibility before use, as results may vary.
1 Knock-down is a drywall finishing technique in which the surface is mottled with watered-down joint compound
2 Orange peel is a bumpy, textured surface resembling that of an orange peel
Find additional painting techniques and learn more about masking a variety of surfaces at ScotchBlue.com.
3M Center, Building 223-4S-02
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
1-800-494-3552
ScotchBlue.com
Printed in U.S.A.
©3M 2011
70-0713-3690-6
TM