I find the main advantage that duck tape has over painter’s masking tape is that enthusiastic adhesive.
It will stick to dirty, dusty surfaces in a way that the painter’s tape won’t.
I can see how tarps are a good fit for duck tape. Back in my courier days I used to routinely repair (more or less permenantly) my waterproofs, leathers, boots, motorcycle seat etc. with duck tape. I was much more enthusiastic about duck tape then. And had less access to other processes.
