We're only a retailer, but we work closely with different tape converters who supply us with the products we sell on FindTape.com. We often get asked what exactly does an adhesive tape converter do? Basically a tape converter uses various processes to modify adhesive tape products that they get from tape manufacturers. These processes include slitting, rewinding, die-cutting, printing, laminating, etc. They convert (change) master rolls of tape (similar to large rolls of carpet or newsprint in size) to usable sizes and forms for customers. For instance typically gaffers tape comes in a 56" x 900 yard jumbo roll and then individual rolls are converted from that source material into industry standard sizes such as 48mm x 55m on a rewind slitter that cuts the tape as it pulls it off the source roll and then winds it back up on smaller cardboard cores. Other products may be custom cut on lathes that are more flexible when different widths are required. Tape manufacturers also convert their own tape; but often times it is more economical for a specialized converter to do the work for them (also tape manufacturers typically have very high minimums for rolls cut to non-standard widths).

The following are some general recommendations or guidelines to follow when applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape:

1. Make sure the surface you are applying the tape to is completely dry and free of any debris before the tape is applied.
2. If any cleaning supplies were used recently on the surface please make sure no residue remains from the cleaning product (if so please use water to remove and then let it dry completely).
3. Unwind the tape from the roll (if the tape has a release liner remove it now). During this step be careful not to contaminate the adhesive by touching it at all with your fingers since it will transfer natural oils over to the adhesive side. Also try to immediately bond the tape to the surface without entrapping air between the tape and the surface it is being applied to.
4. Use some application pressure (it doesn't have to be that forceful) in order to achieve maximum bond strength. Make sure there is no gapping remaining between the tape and the surface it is being applied to which would allow water to come into contact with the adhesive-side of the tape over time. This would deaden the adhesive and shorten the life span of the tape.
5. If the tape has an acrylic adhesive the dwell time the tape needs to be in contact with both surfaces (before it reaches it maximum adhesion) is typically 1 to 24 hours. For best results during this dwell time try to provide some application pressure (e.g. clamps, tape over it, etc.); also if holding an item vertically against a surface try and support the weight if possible.
6. For even better adhesion you can also use an adhesion promoter or primer; can see some options at Adhesion Promoter/Primer on FindTape.com.

Scapa has recently discontinued their 142 economy-grade duct tape which our converter had log roll stock in so they were able to offer it in wider widths. They've recently starting stocking log rolls of Polyken GP2280 (available in black, blue, green, olive drab, red, silver, white and yellow) and Nashua 395 (offered in brown and tan) as an alternative. Both tapes are 9 mils thick and are for general or multi-purpose use and they have similar specifications.

During Permacel’s move out of Wisconsin to New Jersey they located an unsold jumbo roll of P-99 that was made at the end of 2008 which they re-certified (the certificate of conformance is here and the shelf life is dated through 7/14/2010). The tape is on Nitto cores (Nitto Denko is phasing out the Permacel name now). The entire jumbo was cut to a 1" width and that inventory has now been added to the web site here.

Shurtape has recently introduced a new glow-in-the-dark gaffers tape called P-661. It has the same adhesiveness and clean removability characteristic of Shurtape P-665 gaffers, but gives you the added benefit of being photoluminescent after the tape is activated by an artificial or natural light source. It is also hand tearable just like a traditional gaffers tape. It has numerous uses including, but not limited to basic stage safety marking (e.g. exists and stairs).

While film release liners are great since once you get them started they can be removed very quickly from a roll of tape without the possibility of the liner ripping like a paper release liner may at times do (that's why to cover large areas like a convention center floor the tape needs to come on a film release liner); nonetheless they can sometimes be hard to get started.

The easiest way to remove a release liner is to unwind a section of the tape from the roll and apply that section of tape to the first surface you are bonding to and then let the adhesive set before you try and remove the liner. However, if you need to remove the release liner before the adhesive has set on the first surface here are some tips or guidelines to follow:

1. Unwind a short length of tape from the roll.
2. Bend a small amount (1/8 to 1/4 inch from the corner) of one of the corners back towards the liner side (so the liner is touching liner) - this will cause the film liner to stretch more than the backing on the tape which will typically result in the liner overhanging the tape by a little bit.
3. Then try to drag the tape away from the liner with your thumbnail while using another fingernail to squeeze or pinch the liner in place.
4. Once you get enough of the liner removed you will have something to hold on to in order to start pulling the release liner away from the tape.

*** if you have trouble removing the liner with your fingernails you can also try a pair of tweezers, razor blade or utility knife to help separate the release liner from the tape

So my family is always making fun of me for insisting we use adhesive tape to solve every problem, so I decided to actually document what tape I've used over the last couple weeks to see how excessive I've really become.

1. I used some black Polyken 510 gaffers tape to hold the power cord in place on an air compressor. Comes off cleanly and doesn't dry out like rubber bands do.
2. Recently put in a new sliding glass door and it came with a molding piece which was to be put on as finish to the side of one of the doors. I assume it was meant to be glued on (the instructions didn't say), but I used some JVCC DC-UHB40FA-C ultra high bond double-sided tape to mount it (I also used some white gaffers tape to hold it in place while the adhesive bond was setting).
3. On a day-to-day basis the tape I probably use the most is Shurtape JLAR. My 3-year old son is always tearing or ripping something in one of his books and this is great for book repairs. I still have some old rolls left over from when Permacel still made the tape and what I love about it is that they crush-cut the rolls so you could just pull on a length of the tape to break it by hand (no scissors needed). Now that its made by Shurtape is razor-cut like most tape so you can't do that anymore, but hopefully my supply will last a while longer.
4. I've been using 3M EC100 super glue all week to fix ornaments like the purse on this snow-lady. One thing I really like about EC100 is that it doesn't seem to clog up and become unusable after you use it a couple of times like I've had happen with other super glues.
5. I've been using a lot of gaffers tape over the holiday season to hold down cords - here I've used some 4 inch white Scapa 225 gaff tape to cover a green extension cord on my front door. It's a bit wrinkled since I probably should have gotten some help putting it on (it's a little hard applying wider width gaffers and duct tape alone), but you should get the general idea.
6. 3M 109 double-sided poster tape is great for putting up your kid's artwork on walls since it easily removable. In this case I even used some to hold the 109 dispenser up to the wall so I could take the photo.
7. I'm a big fan of the JVCC GLW Glow-in-the-Dark tape and use it on electronics all around the house. I'm always a little surprised when I see reviews of glow tape say it's not very bright. It's definitely not a high-powered light source and wouldn't compare in intensity to say a flashlight, but to darkness-adjusted eye it works great to help you find a remote control in the middle of the night in order to turn off the TV you left on. I haven't mastered the art of photographing a glow product in darkness yet so this is just showing the product in daytime light - pretty boring.
8. Besides the Shurtape/Permacel JLAR, double-sided carpet tape is the other type of tape I used the most often probably. Here I've used some Polyken 105C to hold down the mat rug on a landing outside in the garage.
9. I was having an issue with some file drawers I had on some shelving downstairs. When you pulled the drawer completely out it would overhang the shelving and cause the back of the file drawer to pop up and the heavy drawer overhanging the shelving would then pull it off the shelf (not a very good storage system). I used some extra 2 x 4 pieces to brace the Vaultz File Drawers in place, but I first lined it with some JVCC FELT-06 felt tape to make sure it didn't dig in or scratch the drawers.
10. We just got in some of these Wooster Caution Non-Skid Cleats and figured they would work great on some outside steps I had in the garage. I was going to use the glow-in-the-dark cleats we got in from Wooster instead, but the area I used them on in the garage is pretty dark so I didn't think they would get enough light-activation to work properly. Figured the "Caution" cleats would actually be more visible.
11. To repair a big crack in my garbage can I used some JVCC 762-BD bi-directional filament tape as the first layer and then overlapped it with some wider width Polyken 231 military-grade duct tape. I should probably just call the trash pickup company to get a new receptacle, but this is way more fun.

So not too excessive - is it?

Nashua has recently released two new tarp tapes designed for extended outdoor exposure. Nashua 680004 Heavy Duty Tarp Tape is single-sided black polyethylene film tape which can be used to seal and seam heavy-weight poly tarps. It is designed for 6 to 8 months of outdoor exposure. Nashua 680006 Double-Sided Tarp Tape is a cloth tape with adhesive on both sides which comes on a blue film release liner. It is also used to seam heavy-weight tarps and is suitable for up to 12 months of outdoor exposure. The tapes are available in a 2 inch width and limited inventories of both are now in stock.

Our converter has recently received in tons of overstock high-temperature masking tape from one of the major manufacturers. They've already cut a bunch of it to 2-inch width and it is now available for sale by the case (18 rolls come in a case) for just $23.22 - see JVCC MT-SALE for information and pricing on the tape. A case of 2-inch high-temperature masking tape typically sells for over $100 per case. They also have log rolls available and pricing for widths from 1/4" up to 8" can be seen by looking at the JVCC MT-02 product. The MT-02 product doesn't have any case requirements and all the listed widths can be purchased in single-roll quantities. Thank you.

When using tape to mark off gym floors you want to be sure you don't use too aggressive a tape so as to ensure the finish/wax of the gymnasium floor does not come up or is damaged when removing the tape. A vinyl tape such as JVCC V-36 colored vinyl tape or a premium vinyl tape such as JVCC V-36P (if you want the tape to adhere a little longer) would be your two best bets. If you'd rather go with a matte finish tape then a low-adhesion gaffers tape such as Scapa 125 would be another one to look at. Thank you.

****** UPDATE ******

Shurtape PE-100 FloorMate tape is specifically designed for use on wood floors with water-based finishes and ideal for creating temporary lines and boundaries on gym floor courts. This product leaves no residue, is comformable to curves, more durable than paper tapes and available for immediate shipping in black or white colors.