Skateboard tape

[Gunsmoker]

For those that put skateboard tape on your guns...

How often do you have to reapply the tape?

And if you wanted to remove it, could you do it completely as if there was never any tape?


BTW, I'm not wrapping my whole grip with the tape. Just putting some on the front and back and leaving the sides alone.

 

[CWL]

Really depends on how often you shoot and clean the pistol. Exposure of the tape adhesive to cleaning solvents will determine if it needs to be replaced.

 

[kirkcdl]

I use bathtub/shower non-slip tape,and it'll peel right off if I get the urge to remove it...

 

[Double Naught Spy]

My wife's full-size Kimber stainless target has had the same skateboard tape on it since 2001. It isn't shot that often and probably only has 4000 or 5000 rounds through it. It has probably been through 30 or 40 cleanings since the tape was applied. As a general rule, I don't spray any oils or solvents on that part of the gun and so it hasn't suffered as a result.

If you are thinking of applying it on a 1911, depending on the maker, we have found that the best way to apply it is with a strip that is as wide as a nickle or a quarter where the top and bottom end of the tape is cut in the circumference of the coin so that there are no corners to peel up. Do not try to hold the tape in place by having it under your grips. That isn't good for the grips, but I have seen folks do it.

FYI, we found 3M tape to be the good stuff (versus off brands), but I understand there is an even better version, a marine variety, made for use on boats. It may cost several times as much, but that will still be hugely cheaper than checkering.

I have paid to have one gun checkered and never will again. A 10 cent piece of tape does the job quite will, can be removed, and can be shaped as need. Depending on where you buy, you might pay as little as a buck or two for a section of grip tape or $8-10 for a small roll (1" wide), leaving you plenty of extra. Even buying the roll, the expense is really neglible to the cost of checkering.

Currently, we have grip tape on 3 1911s and 1 Browning Hi Power.

 

[fineredmist]

To apply the tape and have it hold properly you should clean the area with acetone or other quality degreaser. To remove the tape you go under a corner with a thin blade and take it off. It will peel nicely and then clean the area with acetone and reapply. Take some time to make a template of your decal so you can easily make others.

 

[possum]

i have never had to reaply the tape to the to my xd's. but i don't use "skateboard tape " per say. i use the outdoor step and deck tape made by the 3m company.and it works great.

 

[triguy]

For daily carry w/suit the skateboard tape was to agressive and trashed my clothes over time.

 

[Blue Brick]

I use a bicycle tire. It has saved my gun from scratches many times, plus no finger groves! Wal-Mart sells them for around $2.00. I replace the tire once a month or so, 1 tire should last 1-2 years depending on usage. It’s my daily carry.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I'll tell you what, Gunsmoker. PM me your mailing address (or one of somebody you know where you can collect mail) and I will send you a piece.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Blue Brick

You mean the inner tube??

 

[Blue Brick]

Yes sorry, a bicycle tube.Works really well.

 

[brigadier]

I use this stuff

http://www.reynoldsam.com/index.php?cPath=10_1121

I use spray paint and Remington oil to color it and the color lasts. How long, I don't know but I haven't seen it even start to fade as of yet. Material seams tougher then the stuff Hogue makes their grips out of but it's as stretchy as a rubber band. Texture makes me think of what you would use to make a recoil pad out of but the smooth surface needs to be sanded away to expose the true texture.
It's as good as professional gripping with a strong grit that holds well even in wet conditions. Good luck ever safely getting it off though. It's a foam rubber but the foam is significantly (like 4x) thinner then egg crate and the toughness/hardness reminds me of a pencil eraser.

BTW,
The version I use is Flexi Foam It 25. It costs about $30 but once you have a single half gallon of it, you can forget about having to buy new recoil pads or synthetic grip replacements for a long time, not to mention servicing guns that such parts are not made for.

 

[AK103K]

I've found it lasts a pretty good long time, even when the gun is used a good bit. New tape can be aggressive on your hands, but I never noticed it was aggressive to my clothes.

I buy a big sheet at the local skate board shop. A piece that will cover a fairly big skateboard costs about $6. I usually degrease where I'm going to put it well. I do put it under the grips and have never had any problems on any gun I did. I find it makes for a better job and there is no way its going to peel off.

I've never had any troubles taking it off completely, and it has never left any residue.

 

[plateshooter]

I use 3M ladder tread tape that I purchased from Lowe's. I have never had to replace it. I have it on several handguns, and a couple of AKs, as well as some knives. If you ever have to remove it, warm it up with a heat gun first. I got rid of all of my slip on grips after I discovered this stuff.