Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: Johnny Mac on September 29, 2010, 11:57:15 AM
-
Does anyone have any experience with the rail tape offered by Surfco Hawaii? I am very new to SUP's and I have already had to have my board repaired because of the chip I took out of it. I am considering rail tape as well as nose and tail guards. I don't really want to look like the pocket protector kind of guy out there but I don't want to damage my boards anymore.
After my skill level increases does this stuff come off easily or will I be stuck with the clear guards on there? Any advice helps
Thanks
-
They sure help but $40 for tape is ridiculous!!! Go with the Clear 3M Scotch plastic vinyl tape ($3 a roll)...they're thinner but works and very discreet.....don't notice them only up close.
-
Skip the rail tape. It not only looks awful, it only protects your board where it's been applied. Since your paddle is the most likely source of the dings, put something on the edges. Many people use a little padding and electrical tape. I went with the Surfco paddle guard: it works, is descrete, doesn't mark my board as easily as waterloged electrical tape and, after a year+ of use, it still looks as clean as the day I put it on.
-
I was thinking the same thing concerning price. I understand the formed and shaped nose and tail guards being about $35.00 but a strip of clear tape 3"x72" is a bit over priced at $40.00. I will check around for the 3M tape. Thanks
-
I have just put the paddle guard on. I didn't know if that would be sufficient or if I should add some tape to the board. Thanks
-
paddle guard is the way to go. Rail tape looks lame and it comes off easily
-
I made the daft mistake of applying rail tape to my Starboard Blend. Use a good paddle guard tape instead.
It took me hours to carefully remove rail tape when it showed signs of failing (after 6 months) and I still managed to take most of the board's top coat off in the process.
-
I use 3M helicopter tape. Lasts forever. M
-
I use 3M helicopter tape. Lasts forever. M
What is Helicopter tape, and where do you get it?
I was also wondering about the nose guard. I have them on my surfboards, and they work great. The tail guard is kinda a waste, and was so small on my surfboard that it came off.
It's the nose of the board that takes all of the pounding, not the tail.
-
I don't really want to look like the pocket protector kind of guy out there but I don't want to damage my boards anymore.
LOL
-
Rail Saver by Puka Patch is the best thing I've seen so far.
It's super thin, clear, UV resistant, doesn't peel, doesn't yellow. visually and hydro-dynamically undetectable.
I hate paddle guards because they cause the blade to vibrate through the water.
-
never mind the tape, those chicks look hot ;D
-
never mind the tape, those chicks look hot ;D
I agree.. Just what is holding that board up.. ;D
DJ
-
I agree on the paddle guard effecting the paddle and I'm not a big fan of rail tape.. This is all you need.. http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4084.0 (http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=4084.0)
And stop hitting those rails.. ;D .. Often a good small blade light weight paddle will help if you're rail whacker.
DJ
-
Yeah I was hoping to not continue whacking away at the rails. That is kind of why I was looking for some insight on removal. I don't want my boards to look like rentals.
I think JL USA posted a pic of rail guards?? I didn't even notice there was a board in the shot.
-
to stay on topic, i put railtape on my Coreban Performer wood board and it has been holding up great.
i had a colision with a guy dropping in on me and his fins hit my rails at full speed. i ended up with a small crack in my board but the tape saved a lot of impact. it would have been much worse without.
-
I'll put in a vote here for rail tape as a newbie paddler.
I'm glad I put it on our Tufskin Starboard SUPs, when we were just beginning and falling off, and whacking the board a lot. Now I'm not so sure we need it as much.
The rail tape does show some gouges and nicks, that did not translate into chips and cracks. Plus the Tufskin seems to get dirty if you even look at it funny. Perhaps the biggest use for the rail tape is the ability to put the board on it's side (leaned up against a car/pole/fence on the pavement while dressing/undressing/ loading. I'm sure it's prevented lots of nicks. I also feel better knowing that I can stack the boards on their side on the pavement in my driveway without hurting them.
Rail tape might be advisable if it's a recreation board that's used by your kids/dogs/neighbors, etc. Not everyone will treat your board as well as you do.
That said, I don't have rail tape or a paddle guard on my race board. Nor will I have rail tape on my new 9'3" subvector.
-
I went to the auto parts store and bought the clear door guards for my paddles. 6.00 a pack and fits the paddle perfectly.
Randy
-
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have already installed the paddle guards and still contemplating the rail guards.
-
I use 3M helicopter tape. Lasts forever. M
What is Helicopter tape, and where do you get it?
I was also wondering about the nose guard. I have them on my surfboards, and they work great. The tail guard is kinda a waste, and was so small on my surfboard that it came off.
It's the nose of the board that takes all of the pounding, not the tail.
-
Plumbers Mastic Tape for the blade stretches nicely around the edge without being too thick to cause weird paddling issues.
20mm PVC pipe wrapping tape for the areas that get knicked up by the blade...until you're decent enough with a paddle, then ditch it but leave mastic tape on paddle.
Both above are not made for SUP therefore pretty cheap and black color, though if you're worried about looks then prolly stick with the overpriced SUP stuff that's clear.
Enjoy
-
Helicopter tape / Racers Tape: Very tough since it can be used to protect the leading edge of helicopter blades or aircraft wings. Also very expensive. I haven't tried it but I've heard it works great as rail tape.
Some links:
http://www.findtape.com/product570/ISC-Helicopter-OG-HD-Heavy-Duty-Outdoor-Grade-Surface-Guard-Tape.aspx?idx=2&tid=7 (http://www.findtape.com/product570/ISC-Helicopter-OG-HD-Heavy-Duty-Outdoor-Grade-Surface-Guard-Tape.aspx?idx=2&tid=7)
http://www.findtape.com/product173/ISC-Helicopter-OG-Outdoor-Grade-Surface-Guard-Tape.aspx?idx=4&tid=7 (http://www.findtape.com/product173/ISC-Helicopter-OG-Outdoor-Grade-Surface-Guard-Tape.aspx?idx=4&tid=7)
http://www.amazon.com/ISC-RACER-SURFACE-4%60%60X12%60-HT4128/dp/B000TR6EW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288577884&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/ISC-RACER-SURFACE-4%60%60X12%60-HT4128/dp/B000TR6EW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288577884&sr=8-1)
-
The helicopter tape is a polyurathane composed tape . That would be similar to brushing a coating of epoxy on the rails. Ive done this on the rails of an old board with some rod builders epoxy(more flexible) worked great. I recomend flexcoat high build 2oz. around 6-10$
First clean rails. Then tape the rails off with masking tape, Mix two part rod finish properly than brush even coat on rails. Than you need to keep turning the board over top to bottom bottom to top every 5 min. for 30 min. until the finish cures some thus preventing any sagging of the applied coat . Dont touch for 5 hours.
-
One more suggestion: Gaffers tape is maybe $20/roll and can be purchased at many hardware stores. It is the stuff that lighting and stage folks use. It sticks well and can be removed much easier than many other tapes. I use it on the nose and tail, but replace it every couple months so the adhesive doesn't have a chance to bond permanently.
I am using some foam tape made by NSI on my Starboard Easy; I'm not sure it is even sold anymore. It is getting a little chewed up after a couple years and I am thinking about removing it, but don't know how hard that will be. If anyone has taken this NSI tape off, let me know how it went.
Robert
-
I agree with Spleen - 3M clear tape works well. Cheap and stays on for a long time.
-
I purchased 3" wide helicopter tape on eBay and it works fine. It is used to protect helicopter blades.
M
-
Anyone weighing in on the definitive answer on cheap good quality rail tape. I have a dozen rental boards that I need to tape up and I need some help with this question. Diana
-
go to FindTape.com
order ISC Helicopter-OG-HD Surface Guard
OG stands for outdoor grade
HD stands for heavy duty
You can get 3 in 4 in x whatever you think you'd need for as many boards (I bought 3in x 60ft and did 2 9'6 boards, an 8ft board, and my 14' Naish Glide)...the longer the cheaper.
-
http://www.shop3m.com/3m-scotchgard-paint-protection-film-rolls-fq2nws05w4.html (http://www.shop3m.com/3m-scotchgard-paint-protection-film-rolls-fq2nws05w4.html)
2 in roll is all you need. I have had this on my first board for 5 years with no yellowing or peeling. I bet it would come off clean too. Plenty tough.