cove tape: how to apply?

[jsl]

Am I right in thinking that the clever trick when using cove tape is to smear washing-up liquid on the target area? I seem to remember reading this somewhere - possibly on this ever-useful forum - but at first glance it is contrary to intuition so I'd like reassurance. Neat liquid, or dilute? Lots, or just a drop?

 

[VicS]

I'm not sure if it works with cove tape (Try a little bit first) but the technique with other things is to spray the surface with soapy water ie very dilute washing up liquid. Also spraying with soapy water while removing the backing paper (from things that have it) prevents the pick up of dust etc

The "soapy" water allows positioning. Squeegee out the water once positioned.

 

[pvb]

Very, very dilute - just a few drops of washing-up liquid in a spray bottle of water. Lots of the vinyl decal suppliers have online instructions - here's just one example.

 

[johnlilley]

The trick is getting to run straight without wavy lines. If the tape is less than 18mm wide it is easier to apply it dry (provided it is adhesive backed), attach one end for about 4 inches and then unroll 10 feet or more at least on a windless day, roll back and cut off the backing tape and from a point downline from the stuck end, again about 10 feet carefully tighten the tape but not too much and lay it onto the hull gradually following the sweep of the cove line by looking along towards the stuck end. and lay it on using a soft cloth. Easier than it sounds and with experience you can lay much longer lengths in one go avoiding the inch by inch wobbly line syndrome. If the start was wrong, don't worry just stick the long length down, peel a short section from the beginning off and re-lay it keeping it stretched.
Finish off by polishing it hard with a cloth to warm it and cure the adhesive. Any bubbles just pierce with a needle and polish onto the hull. Don't let the tape touch the ground though, grit is impossible to get rid of once stuck.


John Lilley