Best Duct tape

[AldeanFan]

I need some really good duct tape.

My ‘54 Country Squire wagon doesn’t have the original wheels so the wheel covers don’t fit quite right.

The trick an old timer told me is to put a ring of duct tape around the wheel where the wheel cover attaches so the little teeth have something to bite in to. I had tried bending the teeth but that didn’t help.

the duct tape trick has worked great for 5 years but the tape has failed and I lost a cover this summer. Whatever tape I had at the time was obviously excellent but I have no idea what brand it was.

What’s the “best” duct tape available today?

 

[Fixr]

I need some really good duct tape.

My ‘54 Country Squire wagon doesn’t have the original wheels so the wheel covers don’t fit quite right.

The trick an old timer told me is to put a ring of duct tape around the wheel where the wheel cover attaches so the little teeth have something to bite in to. I had tried bending the teeth but that didn’t help.

the duct tape trick has worked great for 5 years but the tape has failed and I lost a cover this summer. Whatever tape I had at the time was obviously excellent but I have no idea what brand it was.

What’s the “best” duct tape available today?

Oh, now you've gone and done it.

 

[4xdog]

I worked through the 1980s for a research institute doing a lot of government R&D, including DoD. At the end of one program my coworkers had a bunch of mil-spec "duct" tape -- quite possibly repair tape for aircraft panels or something -- to get rid of. I happily took that, in white and in red. I STILL have that stuff forty years later, and the adhesive is as good as new, which was very, very good. Dayum, that was some nice tape. No idea who made it and it's unlabelled.

In the modern world I've had better luck with gaffer tape than strict duct tape. Seems to be a bit higher quality than the dreck duct tape one often finds.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Gorilla tape is some serious stuff.

 

[M6erfan]

I'll second gaffer tape.

 

[ohhimark]

The duct tape expert himself, Red Green, used 3M. That and Nashua have worked well for me for many years. I've had little success with Duck branded tape, it doesn't even stick to itself. That said, I've not used gaffer tape, but have only heard good things about it.

 

[Nvrplzd]

Seconding the gorilla tape. I keep a roll just about everywhere these days and it always comes in handy. Infinitely better for *most* general use applications in my experience.

 

[Fixr]

I worked through the 1980s for a research institute doing a lot of government R&D, including DoD. At the end of one program my coworkers had a bunch of mil-spec "duct" tape -- quite possibly repair tape for aircraft panels or something -- to get rid of. I happily took that, in white and in red. I STILL have that stuff forty years later, and the adhesive is as good as new, which was very, very good. Dayum, that was some nice tape. No idea who made it and it's unlabelled.

In the modern world I've had better luck with gaffer tape than strict duct tape. Seems to be a bit higher quality than the dreck duct tape one often finds.

When I was young, duck/duct tape was made with heavy fabric and really gooey adhesive. Modern generic stuff doesn't much resemble that.

 

[The Cobbler]

I agree that the new duct tape isn't what it used to be. the glue is different & dries out a lot quicker too .
@AldeanFan , would it be possible to weld a shim on to the rims so the caps fit tighter?

 

[AldeanFan]

Oh, now you've gone and done it.

Next I’ll ask what’s the best 10w30 and then who makes the best cutting pliers

 

[AldeanFan]

I agree that the new duct tape isn't what it used to be. the glue is different & dries out a lot quicker too .
@AldeanFan , would it be possible to weld a shim on to the rims so the caps fit tighter?

That’s possible but tires are already mounted and rims are painted

 

[CGarage]

I think there is a ProjectFarm video of tape tests on YouTube.

 

[Beemer]

I seem to recall that one of my rolls is weather and cold weather resistant. I don't know the name though.
I would guess duct tape adhesive might not be so resistant to heat generated by braking though.

 

[Pinaud]

Sticky *** tape.

https://stickyassglue.com/products/sticky-***-tape-black

 

[Rinspeed]

Gorilla tape is some serious stuff.

This.

 

[Crowbarman55]

@AldeanFan , would it be possible to weld a shim on to the rims so the caps fit tighter?

This is the only cure.

 

[bobg03]

The greatest, strongest, most adhesive "duct style" tape ever made was used at the Groton Ct Facility where Electric Boat/General Dynamics built submarines. It was impossible to find unless you worked or knew someone in the Shipyard that did, my long deceased father in law who was a supervisor there left me a case of it when his daughter an I purchased their home in 1984. It's all gone or I'd gladly send you a roll, you can try googling EB Green and you may fine similar, if not the Black Gorilla Tape seems like it would work.

I have seen guys patch rust in the 70's and 80's on cars with EB green and spray over it, lasted longer than bondo...lol

 

[Wiz02]

I bought Nashua "foil" tape, way better than duct tape, but adhesive still fails after a while on ductboard.

Zoro has a good filter for selecting duct tape.

 

[Rockable]

GORILLA TAPE!

 

[Bubba Fett]

I also second Gaffer tape. I use it every day to secure cables, but I've also found that it is a good "third hand" when I'm mounting things to walls, etc.

 

[rust in the eye]

Now that you know how long it lasts maybe the answer is to just remember to change the duct tape once in a while. Better tape might last longer but not forever. The next lost cap will tell you when the better tape has given up.

 

[AldeanFan]

I’ll go shopping for gorilla tape, of course there are like 20 different rolls to choose from.

 

[AldeanFan]

Next time I need tires I’ll add some beads of weld to the rims to hold the wheel covers on.
Right now it has good rubber and the pint is good so I don’t want to mess with it.

I don’t mind changing the tape every few years, but want to start with something good.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Just a thought how would a membrane similar to Blue Skin work in this application.

 

[AldeanFan]

Here’s what I found at the hardware store, it was even onsale!

 

[Davefr]

Polykem Speed Tape or Aerotape. It's good enough to patch airplane fuselages.

 

[Luciferi]

I would say gorilla was bit better than other options I have used from the big box stores. I stopped using duct tape since modern versions are so bad.

I used gaffer tape for the first time last year, it worked well and is what I remember duct tape being when I was young but much more expensive.

 

[duneslider]

I use a lot of gaffer tape but the gorilla def is stickier and should last longer. I have found the gorilla to be the strongest of the ones I have tried.

 

[terrapinwheeler]

If you need something flexible and very sticky....the Zip System flashing tape and others like it are pretty amazing.

 

[4xdog]

If you need something flexible and very sticky....the Zip System flashing tape and others like it are pretty amazing.

I hadn't thought of that!

And Zip System is produced by another business within J. M. Huber, the family-run big company I recently retired from. I'll bet some of my "cousins" have some good sources. Might have to try that.

 

[danski0224]

I have used "nuclear duct tape", and it is seriously sticky stuff.

Gorilla Tape is the closest I have found.

Yes, the roll really says "nuclear duct tape".

 

[Snapped-off]

Commonly called EB Red/EB Green in the Navy. I've never seen a better duct tape.