Any tips for getting the film off self amalgamating tape?

[fredrussell]

Try as I might it takes me an age to get the film off a piece of SA tape prior to use. I've tried a stanley knife and my penknife but its still a tricky task. I'm new to this tape and whilst I can see that it is massively useful stuff I reckon if i was pitching around on the high seas trying to effect a repair I'd have not a hope in hell of getting the film off.

Are some brands easier to use than others or am I missing something? Mine is the Screwfix stuff.

 

[Rum Run]

This is a known issue with the Screwfix stuff. It is much cheaper than most though.
I've used it but can't particularly remember how I got the film off. Usually a blade will do the trick.
If you are not financially challenged it might be better to bin it and buy something of better brand, like 3M.
There is another similar product sold by Salty John which is translucent green that has good reports

 

[Martin_J]

I'm sure that after I have cut a length off, I just squeeze the end of what I have cut off and pull a bit and then let go .. The amalgamating part stretches and doesn't quite return to where it was leaving the grippy tape bit free to then pull away from the film.

 

[wiggy]

Stretch it, the backing snaps but the tape should the fine.

 

[Martin_J]

Sounds good as well. ..

 

[superheat6k]

Once you have started using a reel, always peel the SA you want to use and cut this alone separate to the backing film, then trim back the film layer so it overlaps the end of the SA itself. This way future separation is easy. Better to cut the SA with scissors than to try to pull it apart. Try to stretch it at least 2-3 times its length when wrapping.

 

[backonthewater]

Pull it with your teeth,that'll separate the film from the tape.

 

[alahol2]

I just dig a thumb nail into the very corner of the cut bit of rubber and stretch. The rubber stretches away from the backing and, when you release it, you can lift the corner of the backing tape and peel. As per MartinJ above.

 

[macd]

Once you have started using a reel, always peel the SA you want to use and cut this alone separate to the backing film, then trim back the film layer so it overlaps the end of the SA itself. This way future separation is easy. Better to cut the SA with scissors than to try to pull it apart. Try to stretch it at least 2-3 times its length when wrapping.

+1 Then you need to go through separation anxiety only once for each roll

 

[PCUK]

On the same subject, in cold weather if you heat it with a hot air gun after taping it amalgamates much better.

 

[Halo]

Pull it with your teeth,that'll separate the film from the tape.

+1. I have developed the nack of nipping the end of the tape between my incisor and bottom teeth then pulling. This separates the two layers at the endc because one does not stretch Then pull of the whole of the backing layer
I also pre stretch the tape with 2 hands

 

[fredrussell]

Top tips all, cheers.

 

[Blue Fox]

I make a (very small) cut in the length, and then stretch it in the width.

 

[MM5AHO]

+1

I'm sure that after I have cut a length off, I just squeeze the end of what I have cut off and pull a bit and then let go .. The amalgamating part stretches and doesn't quite return to where it was leaving the grippy tape bit free to then pull away from the film.

 

[Daydream believer]

Pull it with your teeth,that'll separate the film from the tape.

& twang your dentures over the side

 

[bigwow]

I just swear at it! works for me.

 

[Alfie168]

I know a chap who when he got his first reel of the stuff did not realise it had backing tape. I'm not going to name him.

Tim