I've had similar issues with older paint layers too, and honestly, tape alone never really solved it for me. What finally worked was a combo approach: first, lightly scoring the edge with a sharp utility knife (just enough to break the paint seal without gouging the wood), then using FrogTape—the yellow one for delicate surfaces. I press it down gently, peel it off slowly at a sharp angle, and it usually leaves a clean line. Might be worth a shot if you haven't tried it yet...
"first, lightly scoring the edge with a sharp utility knife (just enough to break the paint seal without gouging the wood)"
This is exactly what I do too—makes a huge difference. Tape alone never really cuts it for me either, especially on older paint jobs. One extra tip: after scoring and taping, I sometimes run a damp cloth along the tape edge before painting. Seems to help seal it even better and prevent bleed-through. Might just be superstition, but hey, whatever works, right?
I've tried the damp cloth trick before, but honestly didn't notice much difference myself. What really works for me is scoring lightly and then applying a thin bead of paintable caulk along the tape edge. Learned that one the hard way after repainting an old Victorian with layers of ancient paint...talk about bleed-through nightmares. Now it's my go-to method—clean lines every time, no fuss.
"Learned that one the hard way after repainting an old Victorian with layers of ancient paint...talk about bleed-through nightmares."
Yeah, Victorian homes are notorious for that. I've flipped a couple myself—beautiful houses, but man, the prep work is brutal. Totally agree on the caulk method; it's a lifesaver. Another trick I've found helpful is using FrogTape instead of regular painter's tape. Costs a bit more, but the lines come out sharper without needing much extra fuss. Also, investing in a decent angled brush makes a huge difference when cutting in around trim or ceilings. Took me longer than I'd like to admit to stop cheaping out on brushes, but once I did, it was night and day.
Victorians are gorgeous, but honestly, I'd think twice before tackling another one. FrogTape is decent, but I didn't notice a huge difference compared to regular painter's tape—maybe my technique just sucks, lol. One thing that genuinely saved me was using a shellac-based primer like BIN. Smells awful, but it seals in stains and bleed-through like nothing else. Just make sure you ventilate properly or you'll be seeing stars...ask me how I know.
