Self mending tape from Harbor Freight

[WVBrady]

I don't know where I first read about this, but I just got some.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-x-10-ft-self-bonding-super-tape-68401.html

It has some sort of transparent film on the tape to keep it from sticking to itself while on the roll, but I am having a lot of trouble getting it off. The only way I found was where it had a little wrinkle and I got it started with my knife. There weren't any instructions on the package; it didn't even say to remove the covering.

Any tips?

 

[axl911]

This stuff is similar to ER tape. Use it when you want to wrap something tight. It sticks to itself and is very stretchy. I used it in replacement for tape when used to wrap/hold something together. But can't use it as tape like taping a piece of paper to the wall.

http://www.ertape.com/

 

[Danglerb]

Actually cheaper on ebay than HF, as I recall you need to stretch it almost double to get the self stick to work, but once it sticks its forever.

 

[xwarp]

it's silicone tape. just like the 3m #70:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MElectrical/Home/ProductsServices/ProductCatalog/?PC_7_RJH9U52300RQ50ISL93Q0T24Q5_nid=HLBWQ05M2XbeBSXL21QFQTgl

if you are using it to wrap wire, do it small pieces at a time. peel about 5 inches or so from the film backing and as you wrap, pull it pretty tight. it will fuse to itself. careful with the slack that you haven't wrapped as it will stick to itself. also, make sure your hands are clean when you use this stuff as it won't fuse to itself well in the dirty areas.

great for wrapping harnesses where you have multiple wires and you need to bend the wiring since the tape does not stick to the wire.

 

[blue dog]

Lots of names for stuff like this. this is the one i use, and it does work.

http://www.rescuetape.com/

 

[WVBrady]

Thanks for the responses, but what I want to know is how to remove the protective film.

Anyone have any tips?

 

[WVBrady]

I found directions for Rescue Tape and they say just to stretch it, although they don't say how much. They also say that it doesn't matter which side is up, so I gather that they don't expect you to remove the film. Maybe stretching it makes it thin enough that the chemicals can leach through.

http://www.filmtools.com/rescuetape1.html

 

[axl911]

With a relatively clean hand, I just cut a piece off, peel it off the transparent film and then strech/wrap it around what I need to wrap. Don't let it stick to itself before you wrap it though.

 

[WVBrady]

Well, I got some of the Rescue Tape and found that the tape from HF is not the same, at least as far as the protective layer is concerned. The clear layer on the Rescue Tape is very easy to remove and is obvious. The only way I could get the clear layer started on the HF tape was to stretch it literally to the breaking point; then the two layers would start to separate. Strangely, neither tape had any instructions on the package.