Drop cloth for painting - plastic vs canvas sheets

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Drop cloth for painting - plastic vs canvas sheets

ShinyChrome

1603 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 686

ID Verified

Trusted

#278443 16-Oct-2020 14:33

As per title, is one better than the other?

I have to do a second coat on a small section of interior wall AFTER having fresh carpet laid (big brain moment, I know, but time was not on my side).

1 | 2

8931 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5466

#2586303 16-Oct-2020 14:43

I think canvas ones are more resilient to things like ladder feet etc,

But intact plastic guarantees no seep through, but the trade off is possible holes...

Either way tape the sheet down to keep it from moving out from the wall...

myopinion

941 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 115

#2586305 16-Oct-2020 14:45

I've found plastic no good as the paint takes longer to dry than a sheet and you end up making a hell of a mess walking around on it.

pih

670 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 359

Lifetime subscriber

#2586316 16-Oct-2020 15:06

I agree that canvas is better. Some canvas sheets are plastic backed, they're best but so long as you don't kick the paint pot over, canvas is fine.

ShinyChrome

1603 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 686

ID Verified

Trusted

#2586318 16-Oct-2020 15:09

Thanks for the feedback guys, looks like canvas might be the way to go. Good tip regarding taping down as well.

Bunnings has some plastic backed ones, so might be the best of both then?

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/paint-partner-canvas-drop-with-pe-back-2-6-x-3-6m_p1660308

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/haydn-3-7-x-2-7m-heavy-duty-drop-cloth_p0297332

Either way, Plan A is not to spill too much paint in the first place, but professional painters have nothing to fear from my skills...

sleepy

337 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 39

#2586320 16-Oct-2020 15:25

I use old furniture removal blankets as they are very absorbent

Stu1

1918 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 502

ID Verified

Subscriber

#2586381 16-Oct-2020 16:16

The Wagner ones at Bunnings are good , or if really worried get some carpet film just don’t leave down too long

https://www.tradextra.co.nz/product/carpet-protection-film/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlIDR3pK47AIVWamWCh3aLg0QEAQYBCABEgKPOfD_BwE

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

mdf

mdf
3569 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1527

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2586389 16-Oct-2020 16:51

Heavy plastic is fine but most of the "drop cloth" ones are really lightweight and flap around or stick to your feet as you walk.

Canvas is great for drips and spatters but you need to clean up any big spills really fast before it seems through.

Eva888

2868 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2524

Lifetime subscriber

#2586404 16-Oct-2020 18:13

Cheap blue poly tarps from The Warehouse. Stronger than thin plastic and have holes for tying down.

Handle9

12082 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9912

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2586413 16-Oct-2020 19:03

Neither is really "better"

If you want something for the long haul a good quality canvas drop cloth is great but also not that cheap. If it's use once then in the bin buy a cheap disposable plastic one.

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#2586417 16-Oct-2020 19:11

We used the heavier duty plastic from Resene when painting our house. No issues at all with some basic care, and at 10% the cost of canvas. We taped it to the skirting using masking tape. Just gave it a good shake outside before moving to the next room.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Loismustdye

952 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 256

Trusted

#2586423 16-Oct-2020 19:48

Dude if I recall you aren’t far from me, I’ve got some older thermal backed curtains that I used at my old place if you want to borrow them instead of paying for something. Works well as long as you don’t spill the can

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

mentalinc

3403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1035

Trusted

#2586424 16-Oct-2020 19:52

I just used a gladwrap type plastic roll that was adhesive on the carpet side so didn't move or anything.

Would 100% use again. Got it as a left over so not sure on cost or where to buy from. but if its new carpet id use this over a drop sheet as it doesnt move when you walk on it etc. you also cant trip on it

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

Loismustdye

952 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 256

Trusted

#2586425 16-Oct-2020 19:53

Instead of tape Bunnings also sells some plastic edging in the painting section that is easy to push between the skirting boards and carpet edge, easy to slide between the two To protect the carpet

mentalinc

3403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1035

Trusted

#2586430 16-Oct-2020 20:26

Yes i also used those, but i found them hard to use and wife compained about some paint on carpet (it was not new so i guess i took less care?

CPU: AMD 5900x | RAM: GSKILL Trident Z Neo RGB F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC-32-GB | MB: Asus X570-E | GFX: EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080Ti| Monitor: LG 27GL850-B 2560x1440

Quic: https://account.quic.nz/refer/473833 R473833EQKIBX

Loismustdye

952 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 256

Trusted

#2586431 16-Oct-2020 20:33

mentalinc:

Yes i also used those, but i found them hard to use and wife compained about some paint on carpet (it was not new so i guess i took less care?

i used them when painting skirting boards, old curtains hard against the skirting boards and the plastic guard in the bag between and left the paint to dry overnight before removing. If OP isn’t ding skirting boards and just walls they would be easier than having to tape everything down.

i tried that gladwrap roll thing at one point and found when removing it pulled the carpet up a bit and stretched it, found using the old thermal backed curtains afterwards

1 | 2