Using self amalgamating tape

[bedouin]

I am ashamed to say that I am hopeless at using self amalgamating tape. It is a wonderful invention and when others use it it seems to give good results. However when I try it I find that the very first part of the tape does not get stretched and so remains thick and does not fuse properly and also that I struggle to get and even wrap

Anyone got any tips on getting a better result?

 

[Egbod]

Hi, I stretch the tape out and then cut off the unstretched bits at the ends.

 

[PCUK]

After wrapping, heating with a hot air gun ensure it is all fused together.

 

[sarabande]

Make sure it is warm to start with; then it stretches easily. Keep fingers off the surfaces to be amalgamated.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Hi, I stretch the tape out and then cut off the unstretched bits at the ends.

+1 Stretch, apply to item and wrap tape while stretched. After enough wraps get initial grip, cut off as above.

It can be difficult to do this on wire or hoses that move, in that case a two man job.

 

[johnalison]

I can't say that it gives me much trouble, other than getting the backing to start peeling away. Being a slow learner, it took me several goes before I learned to pre-prepare my strips before going up the mast.

When stretching, holding the end between finger and thumb, the corners don't get stretched and so leave a couple of 'wings', but it is easy enough to extend the wrap to cover these.

 

[alahol2]

I can't say that it gives me much trouble, other than getting the backing to start peeling away.

The way to get the backing started is to pinch and stretch the very corner of the tape. That separates the front and back allowing the backing to be easily grasped and removed.

 

[savageseadog]

Self amalg tape varies in quality, some tapes don't bond a quickly as others. The best tape I ever used was bought from Lidl, I used to work for the Post office/BT.

 

[Mikedefieslife]

Bear in mind that self amalgamating tape turns into a sticky mess in the heat.

I remember using some to repair my earphones. Que, big black stick blobs of gunk around my ears where the summer heat and my motorcycle helmet had pressed it against my skin.

 

[C08]

Bear in mind that self amalgamating tape turns into a sticky mess in the heat.

I remember using some to repair my earphones. Que, big black stick blobs of gunk around my ears where the summer heat and my motorcycle helmet had pressed it against my skin.

When I bought my boat the previous owner had been obsessed with SA tape and everything was taped up with it. The only thing was some had broken down over the years and the boat was covered with small black blobs that had merged into the deck gelcoat textured finish. Much of it is still there despite my best efforts to remove it!

 

[KellysEye]

I held the end of the tape with one finger then just kept stretching it.