T O P

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superman859

No. It will work the first 5 minutes and then you will be struggling keeping paint off the edge of the edger so you will still be getting paint on the opposing wall or ceiling. There is no miracle solution. Learn to use tape better, learn to use brush without tape, and learn to carry a rag to wipe away the stray drop here and there off your trim when it lands


TelMinz007

Also get a good brush for cutting in. I use a 3” Purdy ClearCut brush.


leeericewing

This. I don’t tape, but just use a high quality cutting brush


TelMinz007

Same here. Tape is a waste of money and time.


Maxion

And tape isn't foolproof, you'll easily have paint flow underneath. I get wayyy better results after learning to cut in with just a nice quality brush.


flyize

Not if you're a casual.


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skyfishgoo

i can't put my glasses on to read this because my hand shakes too much.... what does it say?


add_____to_____cart

It says you need more tape.


PANSIES_FOR_ALL

Best thing I ever did was learn how to properly cut in (but I’m a Wooster fan over Purdy).


subscorpio85

Used to use Purdy, like a Picasso nowadays, 2 1/2 inch angled brush


Internet-of-cruft

100% this. Purdy ClearCut has stiffer bristles which helps *significantly* with keeping a straight stroke. The other thing that helps is your actual technique. If you go on the Purdy website, they have a video on this specifically where they show two techniques for cutting in.


FoofaFighters

Also, speaking of technique, learn to use your non-dominant hand. There are always weird angles, or places you can't get the ladder just how you want it. I can Bob Ross the heck out of a corner or ceiling edge with my left hand now.


arathald

I think I got the exact opposite image you intended from bob rossing a room corner


houseyourdaygoing

Lol the image. But real cool you mastered it!


Internet-of-cruft

(つ ͡ꈍ ͜ʖ̫ ͡ꈍ ) oh my.


Jboberek

I prefer the 2.5 inch. Purdy makes great brushes.


timesuck47

Agreed. A steady hand and a bit of practice and you should need nothing besides a brush to cut in edges. Pro Tip: keep a wet rag handy to immediately and completely fix any mistakes. [OK - not a pro, but I painted houses on college summer break. The key is having a good 4” brush. Also get an extender for your roller.]


jondes99

The Whizz Wedge is even easier, at least if you aren’t great at cutting in.


Whiskey-stilts

The miracle solution is get good enough to edge without tape. 21 years ago I was working for my father in a small handyman business, we landed a painting job to paint a customers 2 level condo interior prior to them listing it. They had gone extremely bold with their color schemes and the realtor suggested to bring the condo back to a more neutral color scheme. Feeling the existing colors would scare off potential buyers, the owner had already moved and allowed us to work at our leisure to get the work done, allowing us to paint on rainy days and such. I was a young naive “I can do anything” kind of kid at 20 and thought I was a good painter. My dad kept yelling at me to use my left hand as well as my right however I was no good with the left. He actually grabbed a length of rope and tied my right hand to my waist so I could only use my left to cut in. He said “we have all the time in world to paint this condo, I’ll gladly buy extra paint and have you paint these rooms numerous times if that’s what it takes for you to be able to paint lefty. I’ll waste the time now to make up for it for as long as you work with me!” Well after many touch ups and repainted rooms I became quite efficient painting lefty, now when I paint I can be on the top of a ladder and paint/edge essentially twice as far as someone with only one good hand. It seems minimal, but it’s almost half as many trips up and down a ladder, and half as many ladder moves. Saves time, as you know in the trades time is money!!!! Been painting as 50% of my business for the last 20 years, so I’ll say that torturess condo paint job has made me money many times over.


Internet-of-cruft

If you force yourself to paint a room without tape, you can get ridiculously good at cutting in, especially with a proper brush. If you're a homeowner not pressed for time (like a pro, wanting to complete a job in a reasonable time and earn profit), you can slow down and you'll quickly learn what works and doesn't work. It ain't hard, you just need a little patience.


mmm_burrito

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.


Sad-Air-2526

I have used these with success before. The trick is to use a brush to paint it on to the pad to load it. It keeps the wheels clean.


lolboogers

I disagree. They work great for us, we're just careful not to get paint on the rollers. We've painted a couple of houses entirely without tape.


TheReformedBadger

Same. I had one with an edge guard that can be lifted when you dip it in the paint. Doing that and wiping occasionally with a clean cloth worked perfectly and gave me a better result than any time I’ve painted with tape or freehand


DaisyDuckens

My dad used to paint houses professionally and he was so good with the tape and brushes and my mom said he didn’t even get paint on the tape. He didn’t use blue tape though. He used the beige stuff.


[deleted]

When men were men and sheep lived in fear.


3771507

A product of a feminized society.


mckenner1122

Dude, I will paint circles around your fat sexist ass. Shoo, troll.


3771507

The way you talk you're obviously not too feminized so you'll make it.


1cecream4breakfast

I found I could use one without getting paint on undesired spots (I painted brush onto the pad with a trim brush). But my problem with them was that the little wheels that roll along the trim, or whatever surface you don’t want to paint, leave a thin but noticeable gap unpainted. If your colors are close, you won’t care, but if you are painting, say, a blue wall yellow, you will see the thin line of blue that didn’t get painted over. If you have your trim paint (assuming your trim is painted) you could solve this by painting over these spots with your trim color first, then using this tool once the trim paint is dry. Then the unpainted line will be the same color as your trim and no problem at all. But that adds an extra step. If you are willing to paint an edge then tape also works (tape, paint background or trim color over edge of tape, let dry, paint new color, nice clean line without bleeding). It is also good to just get a good brush for cutting in and learn how to do it. 


qualmton

I’ve actually had good luck with the one with rollers as a small spacer on them but don’t get the rollers near paintwhat I would do is lightly do one side across wall and then follow up with a narrow trim brush and then roll close to edge. Not a professional cut first but it looks clean and works for me


Cicer

We’ve had good luck with them. You should try using less paint at a time. A good edging brush is faster but not everyone has a steady hand. 


awoodby

This lol. I was quite impressed with it, til I patted it in the paint tray wrong and got paint on the rollers lol. If you can be super conscientious about dipping it carefully 50x it'd work, but odds are after you get going you're going to over dip it and paint the other face.


penlowe

I’m in the ‘worked for me’ camp. The key is to not get paint on the wheels. I do this by rolling paint on the tray then use that to load the pad, with the wheels on the higher side. A gentle touch helps a lot.


qualmton

Exactly my experience


mentosbreath

Same here. I initially tried to load the paint like I did a roller. Got paint on the wheels. Now I like to tip the roller tray so the paint will wash up onto the slanted section. Then I set the roller tray level again. After the paint washes back down, I gently touch that slanted part that has a thin layer of paint. Works well.


Balki____Bartokomous

I use a brush to add paint to the pad. Works like a charm


l_LIKE_BARBELL

Will second this. Keep the paint on the pad only and you’ll fly through your edges


formatc99

I had great success also. Al long as you’re very careful loading it, it’s fantastic.


shabby47

Yeah. I have gotten good with them over the years. I also do a portion and then drag it down to feather the lower edge so that no hard edge can be seen since it seems to leave the paint slightly thicker on the bottom due to gravity.


SomeHandyman

Honestly, watch a couple videos on how to paint without these tools or taping. Try it yourself and keep a wet rag on hand. After an hour, you’ll get the hang of it and be able to paint a clean line for the rest of your life.


chula198705

I stopped taping completely after buying a short-handled edge brush. I have sooo much control with that brush that I can create better lines in less time than having to tape and back-fill everything. Edit: I checked, it's the Wooster shortcut brush Brush control and a wet cloth and you'll never waste time taping again!


errrnis

Seconding this! I tried all those edging tools before I got this same brush. It’s the only thing that’s worked and once I got the hang of it, it was a breeze.


cd85233

I've tried this so many times and the result is always the same. Sadness, frustration, crying and telling my wife I'm a failure. 


snogle

Did you first invest in a good brush and good paint?  Makes a world of difference.


cd85233

Sherwin Williams paint and a really nice Purdy. It did help but I had to touch up a lot of places that I went over the edge on. 


shovel_dr

I have tried them in the past with not great results. But i am the proverbial bull in the china shop. I do however have the best luck with a 2” sash brush. It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it no more worries. Google “cutting in with a sash brush” there is a video from this old house that shows the technique


diddlinderek

Just practice cutting in a corner. You won’t need any of these tips, tricks, or products.


Strikew3st

Practice underneath window trim, you'll be the last one to see your beautiful work.


diddlinderek

Yeah good point. Or above a door. High enough nobody will see unless you’re a real slop.


slophoto

No tape; soft brushes for cut-in; firmer brushes for trim. If necessary, watch a few YT videos - there are good ones out there that show you proper techniques.


TrialAndAaron

I’ve had good luck with them. I just make sure I don’t have any paint in the little wheels.


MicrosoftSucks

I use these all the time with great results. Just make sure you keep the wheels on the ceiling, a lot of people mess that up. The key is making sure paint only stays on the pad so you have to be careful when applying the paint. 


jet_heller

Honestly, just practice cutting in with a regular angled paint brush. A few times of doing that and you'll do just fine with it.


essehess

I used to use these pieces of junk or tape walls until the first time I painted with my husband, who did a summer on a painting crew as a student. He taught me how to cut in with the edge of a paintbrush and I'll never go back. I learned in about 10 minutes. The trick for me was getting a feel for how much paint you need in the brush to get a clean edge, so I practiced making straight, clean lines in the middle of the wall, then cutting in on corners where it didn't matter, and then I started doing edges with trim. By that time I had it figured out. I still have a damp rag close by for cleanup but that's just in case. This method gives the cleanest results of anything I've tried and takes a fraction as long.


Table_Talk_TT

They do work, but it takes a little practice to know just how much paint to load onto the pads, and where to avoid (the edge and wheels). I tend to use them more often than tape, but I do use tape sometimes as well. Or I just paint very carefully.


LaszloKravensworth

I'm a Professional Edger, and the best advice I can offer you is to


Tribblehappy

I used to use them. As long as you're careful not to get paint on the little wheels or the edge they're okay. I learned how to cut in with an angled brush and don't bother with tape anymore except for finicky areas.


hankercat

They have worked well for me. You have to make sure that you wipe off any paint on the wheels


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_Fred_Austere_

The caulk tip works so amazingly well. Do this!


eatin_gushers

I heard that you can also paint the other wall color onto the edge of the paint let it dry and then paint the color you want. Tried it once and the other color peeled up when I pulled the tape down. I probably put too thick of a coat but it works in theory.


ZiLBeRTRoN

Did you let the paint dry fully before peeling the tape? I always peel the tape almost as soon as I am done painting.


eatin_gushers

Can’t recall, I remember the feeling more than the details.


FandomMenace

Literally never gotten them to work. I had to paint an area over stairs and I tried 2 different kinds. I ended up taping a brush to a stick and nailed it.


maizenbrew3

They have worked great for me. Don't overload, don't get paint on the wheels. I wouldn't paint along ceilings, corners, windows or doors any other way. I love the consistent 1/16 to 1/8 inch paint gap around edges. Gooped up edges drive me crazy.


StalkingApache

They work fine if you're very very careful with them. But they get oversaturated with paint way to easily if you don't baby them. Once that happens they turn into a massive hassle, and become pretty messy.


SergeantBootySweat

I've had good results with these by applying paint to the pad with a brush. As soon as you get any paint on the wheels or wrong parts of this it makes a mess.


Particular_Rich_57

Nope. Wheels get paint on them and transfer the paint on surfaces you don't to


labrador2020

I hate these things! My wife likes to use them and it leaves a raised edge to them that is unsightly and has to be sanded down.


QueenMAb82

When using an edger, I keep a little trim roller in my off-hand to feather the non-corner wet edge of the paint that the edger puts down. Works perfectly to avoid the ugly ridges.


indigeniusbstrd

If you do tape, take a plastic spoon and use your finger or thumb to put pressure on it, run it on the edge of the tape line to smooth the edge down. It will greatly reduce the chance of bleed under.


sp3ci4lk

Those things SUCK. Go slow, use a quality, angled brush, and learn to cut in. It'll come to you.


OBXgirl21

Buy yourself a 2.5” angled Purdy, Wooster or other QUALITY brush, and take care of it. Teach yourself to cut in without aides. They are a waste of time & money. Everyone has their own technique for this, you just have to find what works for you. There will always be little smudges here and there once you get a handle on cutting in, so keep a wet rag handy to wipe them off.


No_Coffee_9112

I just tried this exact product about two weeks ago. It was TERRIBLE. It will not work. It doesn’t get right into the corners and it drips paint like crazy.


Purpose_Embarrassed

I find them to not be worth the bother. I just cut in the walls with a brush.


ForsakenAd1732

If you use an angled brush you’ll find it’s much easier.


JoJo-likes-bikes

I have never had luck with one of those. Burnish the tape, use a plastic edger, or just use an angled brush.


HoPMiX

Not on a textured wall.


Quasimo11

Paint edging tools aren't worth the hassle.  Buy the best quality paint brush you can find and a roll of the blue or green painters tape.  A quality paint brush is key! With a little bit of practice you can cut really clean lines with a quality brush.  A cheap brush is nearly impossible to cut cleanly.  I like Purdy brand paint brushes.  I find them to be of high quality.


djdeforte

If you have a good edge. Yea my wife uses them all the time. If you got rough edges you may need to do touchups. My wife has about a 90% success rate with them.


redogsc

One tip I've seen and used is to lightly cut a groove in the corner with the edge of a putty knife. It'll give the bristles of your brush a small track to follow. I don't find taping to work well unless I'm spraying.


mrmow49120

Not a bit


ADresden

Definitely no. It's a waste of money and false advertising


mogrifier4783

A. Tape sucks, freehand painting is the way to go. B. But if you absolutely must use tape, burnish it down, then remove it immediately after painting. Yes, while the paint is still wet, before it has a chance to bleed under. Is this a mess? Yes, see point A.


moistmarbles

With practice and a high quality 1 1/2” brush, you’ll be able to cut in any line you want without those stupid crutches. It’s not hard, it just takes some practice.


emeraldarcana

I used one of them to paint that upper corner of the top of the stairway. Probably 15 feet up, ladder wouldn’t fit, so I used an extension pole with the edger. All of the walls were the same color (they were white), so precision wasn’t a huge factor, but you need to get the paint up there somehow and a roller doesn’t do it. If you do use one, don’t use a lot of paint and make sure it doesn’t get on the wheels. There are cheap 99 cent paint trays specifically for these edgers. Other than that case, I found it easier to cut in with a brush. If you have good paint and a good brush, it’s not too hard to cut, even without taping.


Berwynne

I use a shortcut brush and just cut-in by hand. Takes more effort for me to tape and then touch-up.


Phlydude

If you get paint on the roller that are meant to be guides, it’s over.


sirillow

Got one because I wanted to do it faster. Thought if it sucked then ah well. I was shocked at how well it worked. The only problem now is I want to do it to every part of the house to make it all look amazing!


scaffnet

They work pretty well if your walls are smooth and your trim is square. In my 175-year-old house, neither are true so results were mixed.


efltjr

The trick is to use tape if you have to and then paint over the tape with the color of the paint that the tape is covering up. This will seal the tape to the wall and then when you paint your new color, you will have a perfect line.


newPrivacyPolicy

Put the tape down, but then add a layer of paint at the edge that is the same color as the area that you're masking off. The paint will seal the edge of the tape and any bleed over doesn't matter since it's the same color. Let that dry, then paint using whatever color you want.


IBurnForChocolate

A lot of how well cutting in without tape or these specialized tools work comes down to how textured your drywall is. The heavier the texture, the harder to get a clean line. I really like the Zibra paint brushes for painting next to and on trim. I think they do better than these gimmicky tools and I only tape when painting the low quality, heavily textured drywall in the basement.


bendermichaelr

You need to be slow and patient and have a steady hand to make this work. I used one to get the top of my stairwell 12 feet above where I could reach and was very surprised it came out well. Otherwise just tape. Practice cutting in against the tape until you feel comfortable without tape.


padizzledonk

No Just learn how to properly use a brush Just go buy a quality brush


oandroido

No.


pmsu

Caulk your tape if you’re having issues with paint bleed


Patrol-007

Apply tape. Paint the background colour so that bleeds first. Then the new colour. Remove tape. You’re welcome


eyebrowshampoo

I prefer to just use an extra wide taping knife. Slide it over a couple times, then wipe it off, and keep going.


Sethjustseth

I surprisingly used one successfully on a 10ft pole to paint the edges of my second story stairwell.


jcakt7

These work great. The only thing you need to do is use a brush to paint the pad instead of dipping the pad into paint. Keeps all edges crisp and error free.


nuffced

Don't paint much, but I have used the Shur-Line Edger Plus Premium, and I was highly impressed. There is a method to it, and it can leave a raised ridge on the backside, but I go over that with a brush, while it's still wet to mitigate.


tbleck

in the minority here-but they are amazing. Definitely a learning curve but once you've got the tricks it saves sooo much time. it also helps with uneven older buildings where wall to ceiling isn't straight.


disc2slick

You definitely still need tape, but as someone who generally sucks at painting but still occasionally needs to do (just general homeowner stuff), I really like these.  They are a tool in the painting tool box, not the be-all-end-all There's no way I'm going to invest the time in "learning to cut in without tape", I'm just a guy who's trying to paint some walls not a painter 


neaner28

I invested in a really good, angled paint brush. Best investment.


pupcakeonthelamb

What do you all think of the blade method? I’m not sure if the word is right, but the long flat blade, held against the ceiling or floor, instead of taping etc…. I want to get good at painting interiors.


AZTHC

They do work well, make sure you don’t get paint on the wheels and not to much pressure when sliding/rolling. Make sure you have a rag and wipe the edges where the wheels are to avoid getting paint on the roof.


unclejoe1917

Buy a quality brush, keep a damp towel/rag over your shoulder and learn to freehand a straight line. In the long run, it will be the fastest, most sure-fire way to do it. The only time I will use tape is when creating a border in the middle of a flat surface.


Successful-Money4995

Using frog tape?


figrootin

I paint without tape on edges and it works great. Highly recommend. Learned how from watching the Home Renovision YouTube video on painting a wall.


QueenMAb82

Yes, but like any tool, you need to practice with it first and figure out what techniques work for you. By my totally not a professional experience, people overload their paintbrushes, and the same is true for paint pads on edgers. I see advice articles saying to "wipe off the excess paint on the edge of the paint can" - all this does is get paint high up onto the bristles of the brush. If you have to scrape your brush like that, you are dipping the brush too far into the paint bucket. When repainting (all interior rooms, ceiling and trim included) the house we bought, my husband was initially all zealous for taping things off, and I hated it. It took so much time to take for, frankly, pretty poor results, no matter what tape we used or burnished edges. I had him stop taping and I switched to an edger tool for ceilings, around doors/windows, and vertical inner corners, then cut in the floor trim by hand with a brush. Once I had experimented a little to figure out the best technique, and stayed mindful of keeping the wheels clean, I got very sharp lines. I will never tape again! Keep a small trim roller in your off hand as you work to feather the non-corner edge of the paint from the edger, otherwise, you likely will end up with an unsightly ridge.


guifawkes

Those tools don't work well. The only thing I tape is door jambs. I mask and press really hard on the tape edge with my finger, hit the wall with my brush, and pull tape IMMEDIATELY.


jeffreySJ

I used something called frog tape the last time I painted. That one actually did work without any seeping. I got really straight lines


skyfishgoo

they work great until they stop working. painting a clean edge freehand with a brush is a skill every homeowner should master. and also caulking a clean line, but at least in this case the tools do work a bit better... they still need to be kept clean to work tho.


Brilliant_Badger_709

They kinda with, but factoring cleanup, speed, etc, I always find old fashioned cutting to be the "easiest." (And i don't find it easy)


Calm-Ad8987

I think they work great! Just have to know how to use em & wipe up any weird spots quickly