Best kind of tape?

Thanks so much dudes. I'll try these.

I've used painter's tape, Scotch Blue for "Delicate surfaces". It has taken off paint, but it wasn't something I couldn't touch up or learn from. Here is what I learned:

Remember to maximize the paint job with a good primer and thin coats of paint that have plenty of time to cure. If the first paint coat isn't given time to cure, the next coat is essentially blocking it from curing properly. Now you have a layer of paint that is sorta cured and one on top that is cured. So when you tape it, it will take your top coat off no problem.

So besides primer and letting layers cure, I recommend spraying a clear protective coat over the area mid-project. I've seen some guys do it and have not seen a lot said in regards to it, but I can say from experience it really helps!

If some paint was bleeding under the tape then I'm guessing you were handpainting and had watered down paints. Paper tape is terrible for that, usually best for spraying only.

I use electrical tape when handpainting since it's nonporous and has a neat edge when cut. Though the problem is finding electrical tape that won't leave residue...

Try the pinstriping section at an art store, they have a variety of tape there specifically for this kind of stuff.