Skateboard Tape For Grips

Status
Not open for further replies.
MoreIsLess

MoreIsLess

Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
734
Location
Atlanta, GA
A friend recommended that I get some skateboard tape to use on the front strap on my 1911. He told me it can be gotten from Amazon. I thought he said they had some that is in pre-cut strips specifically for guns. I didn't see that when I went to Amazons site. My 1911 is stainless, so I would like to get some that is clear or grey (anything but black). Anybody know about this or can recommend something different (not black)
 
Here's pre-cut

VZ Grips https://vzgrips.com/accessories/hardware/front-strap-tape

Talon https://talongungrips.com/grips/1911/front-strap.html

Taylor Tactical https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/1911-front-strap-gt-2pk-p/1911-front-strap.htm

It's really just gritty tape. It is also available at hardware stores as stair tape. It is much cheaper in this configuration, but you have to cut it to fit.

Edit to add: I can't think of any that are clear. Are your grips clear? I suspect they are black, and the tape would match the grips.
 
Clear is difficult because the grit itself isn't completely clear. But if you look for skateboard grip tape, you can find a wide selection of colors and patterns. (See examples here: https://www.skatewarehouse.com/griptape.html ) You'll have to cut it yourself, but some cheap scissors or an x-acto knife will work well.... don't use a good knife, obviously.

This stuff is a little different from the stair/tread tape at the hardware store. The stair tape is VERY coarse - think 30 grit sandpaper maybe. The skateboard grip tape is somewhat finer in grit - maybe 60 to 120, depending on brand. IDK if these numbers are actually correct, that's just my guess. But I have played around with both, and they are not the same. You don't want the tread tape on anything that's going to rub against your skin or clothes that you care about, for instance.

The good news is that the skateboard stuff is so cheap that you can buy a sheet of it and try several different configurations of applying it. I've added it selectively to several guns, and re-applied a few times...and I'm still working on the first sheet of it that I bought.
 
That stuff tears up my hands after 100 rounds or so. The cheese grater VZ grips are just as bad.
 
I second the Talon grips recommended by JTQ. I have them on a Glock, but they make for almost every model handgun. I was worried they would peel off, but they have been 100% with no areas of lift at all. They provide great stick-em, but are rubber feeling so they don't tear up my hands at all. I think I paid $17, best upgrade for the money so far. I carry this handgun daily, so it isn't like the gun just sits in a safe, it gets hard use.
 
I use automotive, wet/dry sandpaper in 120-180 grit in front. It's captured under the grip panels; has to be replaced every 5-10 years.
 
I am going to jump in and recommend against the skateboard tape.

I think that a tighter grip with your off hand will make up for any gains the tape would bring.

A couple of reasons against the tape:
1. It's really rough on the hands and the grips you have look plenty grippy.
2. It makes a good gun look goofy, IMO.
3. If you get a bad grip from the start/holster, the tape means you cannot adjust as easily on the fly.

I have shot guns with tape and didn't care for it. Non of my guns (even the competition guns) wear tape.
Good grips and a tight off hand hold are what matters.
 
Corpral_Agarn said:
Good grips and a tight off hand hold are what matters.
Click to expand...

Well, there are parts of a gun that you might want to use for gripping other than the grip panels themselves. Some guns don't have good checkering on the front or backstraps, for instance. Different people's hands fit onto guns in different ways (and that sometimes changes over time). Here in Atlanta, where the OP's profile says he is also located, we often have very warm and humid conditions. Grips and grooves that feel pretty grippy in cool, dry weather suddenly feel like squeezing a banana slug. Some people really, really benefit from the tape in carefully-chosen spots.

I think this all goes under personal preference/human factors/ergonomics.
 
For just a front-strap, I use a 1" size tread tape, usually in a black or dark gray color. Doing some research, I see the OP's in Atlanta, GA and there are Ace Hardware stores in that area. Here's a reference from the AceHardware website for clear-colored 1" 3M-brand tread tape:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1273905

Note, you shouldn't need to buy an entire roll. Some hardware stores will sell sections, probably priced by the foot. Buy a foot and cut at home with scissors. You'll need only ~2.5", but it's good to have some extra.
 
ATLDave said:
Well, there are parts of a gun that you might want to use for gripping other than the grip panels themselves. Some guns don't have good checkering on the front or backstraps, for instance. Different people's hands fit onto guns in different ways (and that sometimes changes over time). Here in Atlanta, where the OP's profile says he is also located, we often have very warm and humid conditions. Grips and grooves that feel pretty grippy in cool, dry weather suddenly feel like squeezing a banana slug. Some people really, really benefit from the tape in carefully-chosen spots.

I think this all goes under personal preference/human factors/ergonomics.
Click to expand...
All good points and I agree that it is personal preference, for sure.
I also recognize that Opie didn't ask for opinions about NOT putting tape on.

I just wanted to encourage him to look at his technique a little before putting the tape on there.

You know, check the software before adjusting the hardware.
 
ATLDave said:
Well, there are parts of a gun that you might want to use for gripping other than the grip panels themselves
Click to expand...
Precisely. I already have G10 VZ grips on the grip panels, so I don't need tape there, only the front strap (as mentioned in original post)
 
I prefer rubber stair step tread. It is cheap ($5 a roll?), is durable, easy to cut to shape, and is very grippy. If you radius any squared corners, and/or tuck it under grips, it will stay even longer. I think it even looks pretty cool.

In contrast, I don't like sandpaper-type grip because...I don't want sandpaper anywhere near my pistols. It is in inevitable that it will brush up against another pistol - which would be pretty disastrous for the finish.
 
ATLDave said:
Here in Atlanta, where the OP's profile says he is also located, we often have very warm and humid conditions. Grips and grooves that feel pretty grippy in cool, dry weather suddenly feel like squeezing a banana slug. Some people really, really benefit from the tape in carefully-chosen spots.
Click to expand...


This. I live in gulf coast TX when it's close to 100% humidity and oppressive heat.. You need a lot more help than just a tighter grip.

I use dry grip on my hands + extreme grips/checking/stippling and prices of skateboard tape on a number of my guns that I run hard.
 
JTQ said:
Hardware stores...

Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/s/rubber+stair+tread?NCNI-5

or for pre-cut, see post #2
Click to expand...

I think this is the more accurate link for Home Depot item :
http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-6-in-...ep-and-Reflective-Tread-Tape-7768NA/100391699
I use it on almost every gun I have, including on AK's front handguard that was very slippery.
The only disadvantage is that those little gritty thingies start to peel off gradually , and you will have them on your hands when you handle or clean your guns - my only concern is that somehow they may end up inside the gun you are cleaning, or somehow go between, say, slide and frame of your 1911 and make some damage or stoppage.
Probably very unlikely but I always think of them as a sand that may go inside your gun.
If you decide to use either skateboard tape or other one from Home Depot, the advice is that before final application to your gun, you heat the tape with dryer to make glue adhere better.
 
dekibg said:
If you decide to use either skateboard tape or other one from Home Depot, the advice is that before final application to your gun, you heat the tape with dryer to make glue adhere better.
Click to expand...

And degrease the area to which the tape is applied! I have found a little acetone on a paper towel and/or q-tip to be sufficient. But these tapes don't stick to CLP-coated surfaces!
 
If you radius the corners of the tape a bit, it will last even longer - i.e., you don't want any 90 degree angles to get peeled up. Even better, I have been able to tuck the edges underneath most grip panels, which helps even more.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Skateboard tape?
Replies
13
Views
770
bg226
B
Japle
  • Locked
Skateboard tape on a 22/45
Replies
1
Views
384
tuj
tuj
P
  • Locked
SW MP9 Grip Tape Suggestion
Replies
5
Views
704
col_temp
C
H
  • Locked
Customizing my Kahr MK9's grip area type place...
Replies
13
Views
1K
hifi
H
TheFrontRange
  • Locked
Skateboard tape
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
Tman
T
Back
Top