Self amalgamating tape

[ronhud]

I bought a roll of this recently and looked up in the internet whow to use it. It directed that the backing layer should be removed. My tape has a shiny diamond mesh like surface on the outside and I cannot for the life of me remove it - can any kind soul solve this one ?
Ron

[helen&tony]

Hi,
Without seeing it , it sounds like the backing. Unravel a few inches of it, cut it off (like a leader), and have another try at getting the backing off
Good Luck
Helen

[ronhud]

Thanks for the swift response - I've just tried your suggestion but no luck. It is so intractable that I feel I must have misunderstood something.
Ron

[Socket Set Sue]

Just try using it as a'normal' tape but really press it on and mould it to shape, after abput 30 mins it should have set to the shape you pressed it into. You will not be able to remove it by undoing it like sticky tape, it will have beocme a single piece moulded to whatever you wrapped it around.

Try it out on a small test piece and let us know if it works.

Info from:- http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Conne ... _aids.html

Self amalgamating tape is a polyisobutylene tape which has no adhesive but over a period of hours adheres to itself and forms a single amalgamated rubber moulding conforming to the shape of the items it is covering. It is essential that it is completely dry when used but beyond that is safe on any material. It does not adhere to the substarte so can be cut away with a sharp knife if access is required later. Once in place for more than about 30 minutes it cannot be unwrapped but must be cut away.

[mick]

First of all, it is amazing stuff. It sticks to itself, and is an excellent temporary repair. It used to be used to seal connections in BT cables underground, so that was a good test.

You need to peel back the outer layer (the crinckly side), and it should come away really easily. You then peel back the inner layer short stretches at a time, so that the whole thing doesn't get in a tangle. If the wrapping is difficult to remove, I reckon you've got a faulty roll.

As you wrap it round the pipe, cable or whatever, you should keep it stretched so that it narrows by about half. You should overlap the windings by half also. Removing it later is a real challenge (need to slice it lengthways with a sharp knife and peel it back).

[ircbongo]

Not very "professional" but this is how we used it when up a ladder installing satellite dishes...
To start the reel off, pull a couple of inches of tape away from the reel and stretch it. Keep going until the shiny stuff gives way. (The stuff that didn't break is the amalgamating tape.) Leave a bit of the shiny backing loose when you've finished so you don't have to stretch it again later coz you nearly fall off the ladder. Of course there's probably a more scientific way using a knife, but I never seemed to have one when I was up a ladder!

ircbongo

PS: Mick's right - it's amazing stuff - got almost as many uses as duct tape!

[ronhud]

hurrah - the long stretch did the trick. Thanks to everyone.
Ron

[dandywarhol]

hurrah - the long stretch did the trick. Thanks to everyone.
Ron

How was the "porridge"

[Pete & Sue]

Norman Stanley Fletcher, you stand before me accused of stretching your tape in public. How do you plead?

[ronhud]

oh gosh - I've come unstuck - you've got me taped.

[Pete & Sue]

When are you going to do another series of 'The News Hudlines'?

[brorabongo]

Good stuff that tape. I keep a roll in the bongo just incase, of a pin hole.
one tip...or two........ In cold weather stick it in your pocket to warm it up, it sticks better, also the tape does not like getting wet when trying to apply.


ircbongo, I use the same method, when in the same situation as yourself. I have also found myself using my teeth when can't use both hands, but I does hurt when it springs back onto your lips `