Non-rotting masking tape?

[seagull369]

I like to use masking tape to make labels for things, but am having a problem with it getting moldy and degrading over time in the humid environment sometimes that is sometimes my garage. I've used name brand stuff that claims to be "outdoor, heavy duty and moisture resistant," but, still have been running into these challenges.

Anyone know of a type or brand, which I can still take my Sharpie to that might hold up for me over the long haul?

 

[tncatadjuster]

Surgical tape, white cloth kind.

 

[PCustoms]

Label maker?

If your garage is wet enough to grow mold on tape, I think you may want to work on that....

 

[Norcal]

Masking tape, & duct tape, both just make a mess, a Brother P Touch or equiv. works much better. I used blue masking tape as a temp label, & for that is fine, just need get on my azz & start typing proper labels before it does makes a mess.

 

[4xdog]

Labelmaker for the best results. I trim my labels close, and keep the cutoffs for Sharpie-handwritten labels.

If you really want a tear-off tape kind of solution, consider "Time Tape" or equivalent for months or a year labels (although I've used these for several years out of sunlight with fine results). Time Tape is a laboratory tape typically sold in 1/2" to 1" widths in various colors. HERE'S an example. I've used the stuff for decades -- it's been a staple in every industrial chemical laboratory I've worked in.

Making tape? Jeez -- that sounds like my father, a Depression-era child who would use it for all kinds of repairs because it was cheap. The fact that it's intended for days or weeks of use didn't stop him from trying, and always failing, to make masking tape a permanent solution.

 

[Stelzer]

I use 3m 2060 for challenging surfaces & areas, but keep in mind, no tape is impervious to humidity. Simply put your tape in a ziplock bag after using it, along with a silica pack to combat moisture. White Gorilla tape is even more stout and might make for an easier surface to read if you intend to write on it, since the 3m 2060 is green.

 

[Fav Onefour]

I use white gorilla tape and a sharpie.
The one downside is the glue doesn't like summer attic heat.

 

[seagull369]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

I have a label maker but it's not ideal to use (for various reasons) in this instance. A masking tape I used to make some of the labels has actually held up quite well over the years, but I don't know what roll it came off of and it's probably long gone anyway. The surgical tape mentioned would probably hold up well on its own, but I've noticed markering on that stuff tends to go all smudgey after a while even when you don't touch it.

After posting, I did some searching and noticed Scotch makes an outdoor exterior painter's tape, which they tout as being "weatherproof" and good for humid conditions. They even say It's "not intended for interior use," so you know the stuff's gotta be an animal . Anyway, I might give that one a try and/or the 3M and Gorilla ideas.

 

[mvdavid]

I like to use masking tape to make labels for things, but am having a problem with it getting moldy and degrading over time in the humid environment sometimes that is sometimes my garage. I've used name brand stuff that claims to be "outdoor, heavy duty and moisture resistant," but, still have been running into these challenges.

Anyone know of a type or brand, which I can still take my Sharpie to that might hold up for me over the long haul?

Boot stripe tape which is used on fiberglass boats to accent the waterline MAY work, i never tried to write on it and it's kinda glossy. many colors available at west marine etc.

 

[BillK]

I use regular 3M brown masking tape and a sharpie marker. I bet some have been in the garage for ten years and still look fine. Another choice would be to go to Staples and buy a box of Avery labels and just use them instead of the tape.

 

[u2slow]

I wish I knew what the 2" wide plastic tape we have at work is called.

There probably other white plastic tape, or tyvek sort of labels.

Label maker stuff gets pricey.... I only have it up to 3/4" ribbon and I'd need larger.

 

[CraigStu]

Search at McMaster Carr

 

[rlitman]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

I have a label maker but it's not ideal to use (for various reasons) in this instance. A masking tape I used to make some of the labels has actually held up quite well over the years, but I don't know what roll it came off of and it's probably long gone anyway. The surgical tape mentioned would probably hold up well on its own, but I've noticed markering on that stuff tends to go all smudgey after a while even when you don't touch it.

After posting, I did some searching and noticed Scotch makes an outdoor exterior painter's tape, which they tout as being "weatherproof" and good for humid conditions. They even say It's "not intended for interior use," so you know the stuff's gotta be an animal . Anyway, I might give that one a try and/or the 3M and Gorilla ideas.

The exterior masking tape is good stuff, and in one example I can think of, far better than the paper version, even when used indoors.
If you're using tape to layout a floor plan, as soon as someone walks over the paper tape, it gets perforated by your shoes, and in short order becomes difficult to pull up without tearing, but the plastic stuff comes up easy peazy.

As for DIY labels, I'd suggest Scotch 35 electrical tape. It comes in white. Any "masking" type tape adhesive is not good for long-term use.

 

[blacksporty]

I like to use masking tape to make labels for things, but am having a problem with it getting moldy and degrading over time in the humid environment sometimes that is sometimes my garage. I've used name brand stuff that claims to be "outdoor, heavy duty and moisture resistant," but, still have been running into these challenges.

Anyone know of a type or brand, which I can still take my Sharpie to that might hold up for me over the long haul?

Masking tape is designed to be temporary, to make a surface to keep paint from it. Use a different style of tape or labels