Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: rkdjones on November 01, 2011, 11:15:04 PM
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I am removing some old NSI rail tape off my Starboard; it is kind of a black foam material. The good news is that it comes off without removing paint (I warmed it up first). So now I am looking to replace it with something thin. I know that Rail Saver Pro has received good reviews here, but it seems a bit too expensive. I did a little searching and found a number of products:
• surfco $37
• pbs custom rail tape $30
• rail saver pro $$$$
• puka patch rail saver $50
• NSI rail guards $25
Any recommendations and experience, good and bad, with any of these products would help me pick a winner.
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Naish makes nice thin rail tape that does leave any left over glue if you need to peel it off.
Not sure the price but it's good stuff.
Hope this helps!!
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check out 3m leading edge tape. I've had great luck with this product. Designed for aircraft wings and helicopter blades.
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I understand that rail saver pro may be expensive, in part because it is an european product and the euro value is so high, but it is really good and durable, no problems here after 6 months use on 4 boards between me and a friend. Also with the various colors & designs you can actually enhance the board looks with it.
Whatever your choice, try to get high-quality stuff. Going the cheap route and having to replace it often may not be the best way in the long run. I have read good stuff about the 3m leading edge tape, but have no direct experience.
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I understand that rail saver pro may be expensive...it is really good and durable...
I'm very happy with my rail saver pro, my 14 has a fairly thin skin, the rail saver's doing a good job on it.
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Aloha Tape is $40 and is on all of the rental and demo boards and paddles in my shop (except Uli's).
A little protection goes a long way.
http://alohastanduppaddle.com/Aloha_Tape.html (http://alohastanduppaddle.com/Aloha_Tape.html)
Aloha,
Tom English
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The NSI tape and the Surf Co tape are the same. NSI is narrower so it wraps with out as much pucker . You have to be more accurate of where it is placed .
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Thanks for the feedback. Robert
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I'm still a Rail Saver pro fan. It will go on all my new boards except the wood Javelin. And on that too if I start using it regularly.
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Yeah, after a few races and regular flatwater paddling, my rails on the wood javelin are showing signs of use so I may have to consider the rail tape. i just hate to cover it up but I guess it will be better to protect it. I think I will give that Rail Saver a try Bill.
Mike
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The Naish branded tape is the way to go. It's manufactured by KP2Surf, an OEM, who seems to be supplying it to Aloha as well. It's clear, stretchy,pliable (NO pucker at all) and leaves no glue behind. I have it on my BARK Dominator and it's virtually invisible and has protected my rails from all manner of damage. About $35, which includes the paddle edge tape as well. A bit spendy, but this is the ONLY stuff I'd consider using.
http://kp2surf.com/ (http://kp2surf.com/)
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The Naish branded tape is the way to go. It's manufactured by KP2Surf, an OEM, who seems to be supplying it to Aloha as well. It's clear, stretchy,pliable (NO pucker at all) and leaves no glue behind. I have it on my BARK Dominator and it's virtually invisible and has protected my rails from all manner of damage. About $35, which includes the paddle edge tape as well. A bit spendy, but this is the ONLY stuff I'd consider using.
http://kp2surf.com/ (http://kp2surf.com/)
Yeah great guys at KP2! Think they supply Naish and Boarworks as well. Like their paddle guard as well, very thin material. Also, like rail saver pro - stuffs like armor for your board.
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Woohoo KP2! ;D
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Any ideas of online vendors that sell the KP2 tape, perhaps under a different name?
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Any ideas of online vendors that sell the KP2 tape, perhaps under a different name?
3M is the manufacturer of many of these films and there are others... I have 8m urethane on my car and van front end, rear of motorcyle tank, as well as small patches to ward against cable rub on my bicycle. There are a variety of thicknesses. 3M also has a few brands they manufacture for and most good window tinters carry clear film and do clear bras for cars.
I tend to just buy sections of bulk film to keep in the house. x-pel is one... http://xpel.com/ (http://xpel.com/)
My Sprinter I had done by a local tinter who does great custom work and he uses one of 3M alternate brands, preferring it. I bought bulk film from him to have on hand and would suggest doing the same. Most are approved for OEM auto use and are removeable after warming it up a bit. I used the film on the edge of my surf paddle.
Folks sell kits for bikes and SUP's but again, it's all the same stuff I believe. Check and compare what you get for your money and also do check a local tinter for the films.
John
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I bought KP2 tape from my local Naish dealer(Covewater Paddle Surf in Santa Cruz), so I imagine any on-line Naish dealer could get it for you.
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Any ideas of online vendors that sell the KP2 tape, perhaps under a different name?
I went to the website and emailed them. Not sure if its ok to put his full name on here, but his first name is Matt - great guy, I'm sure he can give you more info on where to order. Good luck.
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Installed NSI, Naish and Rail Saver Pro in different boards.
Think that RSP is the best of the three by a wide margin. Easy to work with and very resistant.
They now have some options without lettering.
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Sure you get the same stuff over the pond...but in the UK loads of folk buy helicopter tape. It is brilliant....easy to put on, see through and works fantastic. I bought Surftech Rail Tape once for twice the price and it was rubbish.
I got my tape from here:
http://www.convertape.com/50mm-protection-451-p.asp (http://www.convertape.com/50mm-protection-451-p.asp)
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I read one or two people's comments that rail tape wasn't great for SUS boards. Something about the rails not holding in the wave face as well. Thoughts?
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/48fd05bc-29b7-a215.jpg)
got this from ace it's for steps but I use it on all my sus boards supposed to be 2.50$ a foot but the cashier gave it to me 2.50 for the whole roll. her bad. it's 2 inches wide clear and perfect for my sus board rails when the cashier made the mistake I went to the back and picked up another roll.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
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I'm still a Rail Saver pro fan. It will go on all my new boards except the wood Javelin. And on that too if I start using it regularly.
You want me to put some on the Speedboard?
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I can also recommend Rail Saver Pro. Significantly better than the other tapes I used before.
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/ supposed to be 2.50$ a foot but the cashier gave it to me 2.50 for the whole roll. her bad. / /when the cashier made the mistake I went to the back and picked up another roll.
If your math is correct, you paid $5 for $300 worth of tape. I sure hope the scanner made the mistake and that the cashier doesn't have to eat that one.
Back in my UPS driver days I got cheated out of $100 on a COD payment by a quick change artist.
It really sucked.
I often go out of my way to teach young cashiers how to make change - keep the customer's money on display until the transaction is complete - etc.
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Totally agree! Karma will sort that out sooner or later!
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her bad
How sad.
when the cashier made the mistake I went to the back and picked up another roll
No shame.
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her bad
How sad.
when the cashier made the mistake I went to the back and picked up another roll
No shame.
the cashier still works there. sorry if u guys see it that way butfrom what I been experiencing lately it's on the good side for me. I usually don't have that extra cash to spend on my sup hobby so I save up all my recyclables to buy me stuff I need but this past couple months people been stealing it when me and my family ain't home. so please don't say karma is gonna get me cause it's the only good thing that came around lately for me.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
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When you've got the rail tape fitted, maybe you could invite the store owner and cashier over, to test it's efficiency?
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her bad
How sad.
when the cashier made the mistake I went to the back and picked up another roll
No shame.
the cashier still works there. sorry if u guys see it that way butfrom what I been experiencing lately it's on the good side for me. I usually don't have that extra cash to spend on my sup hobby so I save up all my recyclables to buy me stuff I need but this past couple months people been stealing it when me and my family ain't home. so please don't say karma is gonna get me cause it's the only good thing that came around lately for me.
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Sorry Leo, no matter how you try to spin it, what you did was just not cool.
Maybe not saying anything on the initial sales mistake might have gotten you a mulligan from some, but when you "double-downed" at the poor clerk's expense, that went WAY over the line....IMO obviously.
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Sounds like Karma hasn't been on your side for some time now. Might be time for a change bro!
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I just went to the local hardware store. Bought some rubber adhesive and coated the edge of my blade with it. $3 adhesive has saved most paint on my board and for sure has extended the life of my blade. Realistically, buying tape for your board is delaying the inevitable. Your board is going to get dinged either way. If its to keep the blade from scratching it up, so what? You SUP, you use the board. Show it.
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A few weeks ago I had a cashier make a mistake on my purchase--it was minor and I was buying a lot of stuff, so I didn't say anything even though I knew she was wrong. It bugged me for about two days, until I went back with the receipt and paid the difference. It's not just karma, stuff like that is just not good for your self respect. Take it back Leo, you don't need the rest of the tape and it will make you feel better.
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ahhhhh u guys got me on the guilt trip so I took it back today even though I didn't want to but it made me feel better. the cashier was really surprised. I didn't take the receipt I just gave them back the unopened roll they kinda didn't know what to do. we see maybe I can catch some barrels when this next swell hits or catch this punks stealing my cans
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
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I did a little searching and found a number of products:
• surfco $37
• pbs custom rail tape $30
• rail saver pro $$$$
• puka patch rail saver $50
• NSI rail guards $25
Any recommendations and experience, good and bad, with any of these products would help me pick a winner.
RSPRO is the Best !
Clear $70
Graphics $74
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ahhhhh u guys got me on the guilt trip so I took it back today even though I didn't want to but it made me feel better. the cashier was really surprised. I didn't take the receipt I just gave them back the unopened roll they kinda didn't know what to do. we see maybe I can catch some barrels when this next swell hits or catch this punks stealing my cans
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Uh..., what about the first roll?
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Uh..., what about the first roll?
[/quote]
I was thinking the same thing!
Comment Leo?
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We stock the clear Rail Saver Pro (RSPRO) with easy click&buy...$65...
http://supsports.com/shop/gear/rail-saver-pro/
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Wardog why does your website say $59 for rail saver pro but when you check out it raises it to $65? This is not including the tax or shipping, that is extra on top of the $65
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Could be a cache issue...we used to sell it for $59 before the US distributor went out of business...
I checked it out in a couple of browsers and the ecomm program showed $65 all the way through...which is still less than what some people charge for it...
There is no tax outside of California...and, our shipping rates are tired directly to the current Fedex shipping tables...
It's not a necessity for the rails of our boards...they don't chip up from rail strikes...but, we stock it as a service for our clients as it does work for those that need or want it...
We have had to import it directly from Spain, so the price went up...there is a fluctuating EURO/USD currency exchange rate when you do the transaction...
Wouldn't want to be paying in Canadian dollars right now...;-)
You can also buy it directly from RSPRO in Spain...depends on how fast you want it...
I'm still waiting for a GoPro mast mount that I ordered from Europe over 2 weeks ago...
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rsp is the best--no comparison with the others
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I have Rail Saver Pro currently on my boards. It does a good job protecting your board, but can be hard on your shins ankles and elbows if you are not wearing a wetsuit or shorty etc. There are some sharp edges and I have left the water 4 times now dripping blood and not even know that I was cut or bleeding. I presume it happened climbing back on the boards? That is not the best idea down here in FL or where ever? I need to take a razor blade and try and get the sharp edge off! The rails look better than my scabs :P
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Looking to put some Rail Tape on my touring style 12'6" SUP...
The RSPro looks like a great product, but is there a clear/clear option. Its expensive, and sure I get what I pay for, but for the price I'm don;t feel I should be held hostage and forced to advertise for them also, they should pay or sponsor me if they want the name on my board.
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I think it would be silly for a brand, especially one of such a standout product not to have their name on it. Do you expect to buy a Gopro without the word Gopro on it? I have RSPro on most of my boards. The printing is pretty non-descript...variations of their logo in maybe 1" letters. Having the name on there is a small price to pay for better protection. Does your board have a logo on it? how about fins? paddle?........can't think of many products without their name on them? Companies are having a hard enough time sponsoring the top paddlers, supporting events, and what have you never mind sponsoring you or I because we they include their logo on their product.
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I am a big RSP fan as well and use in on my surf ski as well as my SUP. When installing, be sure to wet the area so the adhesive has less adhesion and can be adjusted and bubbles squeezed out. Adding about 20% alcohol to the water helps (isopropyl alcohol, that you buy in the pharmacy). Be sure to put the tape on at 70 F. or warmer, to improve flexibility. I also use their tape on the edges of my ski and SUP paddles.
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I don't like the way that RSPro rail tape chews at your paddles. It's too abrasive IMO. I'd very much like a less abrasive version.
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I don't like the way that RSPro rail tape chews at your paddles. It's too abrasive IMO. I'd very much like a less abrasive version.
I've been using RSP for years and my carbon Kialoa paddles show no sign of wear. My newer Sunova paddle is also undamaged.
I sometimes like to run my paddle along the rail just to hear the sound it makes.
I can't imagine anyone hitting the rail so much that it would actually chew up the paddle.
.
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RSPro. Accept no substitutes. The stuff is versatile, protective and can be reused - switched from one board to another even. Outstanding products. It's on all of my standup boards, surf and downwind, and I am going to install the Hexa Traction pads on my prone long-board. I use it on my one man canoe rails as well.
They also make an outstanding paddle tape that goes on the edge of the blade. It is unobtrusive, extremely protective, durable and looks good. Unlike other blade protection, it won't mess up the paddle's fine edge.
Outstanding products and company. I get mine through North Shore Inc in Hood River. Fast shippers and good prices.
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just put rsp jumbo on my new board--protects the top rail edge a bit, too--i paddlewhack there, to, believe it or not. only downer is the stuff does weigh.
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Smooth or Dimpled ?? and Why ?
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I'm a cheapskate, so I use helicopter tape and it works fine. RS Pro is better, but it's pricey, so helicopter is more economical.
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Smooth or Dimpled ?? and Why ?
The dimpled offers more impact protection.
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I have had RSPro on at least 6 boards of mine. It is an outstanding product. After 5 years of use, no sign of color change or deformation.
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I'm a cheapskate, so I use helicopter tape and it works fine.
Same here. I buy a 3ft strip of 4" wide 14mil helicopter tape for $12 and cut strips of varying width depending on where I am putting it on the board (usually 1/2-3/4" wide for the nose and tail rails and 1" wide for the center section of rail).
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Smooth or Dimpled ?? and Why ?
The dimpled offers more impact protection.
Where do you get it, Mike?
How wide and what thickness?
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just put rsp jumbo on my new board--protects the top rail edge a bit, too--i paddlewhack there, to, believe it or not. only downer is the stuff does weigh.
CS, are you going to use Hexa Traction on your entire long board or just the nose?
I have a new board and am searching for the best/lightest deck traction available. Is this a good idea to use instead of deck traction pad?
Where do you get it?
Thanks,
Bob
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Smooth or Dimpled ?? and Why ?
The dimpled offers more impact protection.
Where do you get it, Mike?
How wide and what thickness?
JimK can get it for you and he'll give you a Zoner discount.
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OK I'm almost sold... I have a touring style board with rather thick rails, so I'm guessing the jumbos size is a better option.
When you SUP'rs say it has weight how much weight are we talking about compared to the helicopter tape option....
How much does the standard RSPro kit, (2 strips 6'3" x 2.5") weigh with backing removed ?
And how much more does the jumbo kit weigh ?
Where do I find a zoner discount order link ?
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Just send JimK a PM or email and he'll take it from there. He might also know what it weighs.
I think the weight is pretty minimal myself.
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I don't think the weight of the RSPro protections is an issue at all. Having couple of beers before paddling can be more of an issue of weight ;D ;D
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Helicopter tape here too on all my boards...works very well.
You can't take it off and put on another board though...once it is on it is on!
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Used a few different brands over the years. Had a bad experience with a leading retailers tape which went yellow, and couldn't be removed. Now very careful what I use, Had good results with 3M helicopter tape applied wet, but my first choice is definitely RSpro.
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Used a few different brands over the years. Had a bad experience with a leading retailers tape which went yellow, and couldn't be removed. Now very careful what I use, Had good results with 3M helicopter tape applied wet, but my first choice is definitely RSpro.
What brand was it that turned yellow and couldn't be removed? This would be good to know so that we can avoid buying it.
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Bought it from a long established retailer, the tape was not branded when it arrived but due to the retailers reputation I applied it. wished I hadn't. On my newest board I used Rspro, wont use anything else now.
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confused we revisit this--i dont know of anyone who has used rsp who says they prefer another product--ya there are other options, but find me one that remotely compares--aint none
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confused we revisit this--i dont know of anyone who has used rsp who says they prefer another product--ya there are other options, but find me one that remotely compares--aint none
+1....I don't understand buying anything else. Helicopter tape is not the same. I won't get another board without buying RSPro for it.
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Yeah, when somebody comes out with something that is actually as good I'll give it a go, but I have a hard time understanding paying a thousand or two for a new board and using something "almost as good" to protect the rails from my brutal railbashing. I just loaded my SIC 11'11" on the truck. It's got nothing. I bought the board on the road, and by the time I got it home and thought about RSPRro it was too late--or so I thought. Now it looks like someone ran an angle grinder up the side.
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AND it even looks pretty cool....I think it improved the look of my Foote. I even like the sound it makes when going for a wave...zzzziiipppp, zzzipp, zip and I'm in...... :)
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I have Rail Saver Pro in all my boards. Definitely the best product in the market so far.
I just ordered their new deck pad solution and the paddle protections, will test them too.
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I peeled off my helicopter tape a couple of seasons ago after it started to look like a helicopter flew to close to my board. If you never beat your board with your paddle I'm sure it works great. But as always people who are cheap pay twice.
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We sell both rail saver pro and clear rail tape.
RS Pro tape:
http://blueplanetsurf.com/products/rail-saver-pro-clear
RS Pro is the strongest tape but does not go on as easily and clean as our clear rail tape using wet application:
http://blueplanetsurf.com/products/blue-planet-clear-rail-tape
The clear tape looks better but can get gouged if you have sharp paddle edges and tend to bang your paddle against the rails, so for "heavy users" we recommend RS pro tape.
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Put the RSPRO on a fourteener yesterday. Taped it in place first and let it sit in the sun for an hour. Began at the front, then applied it six inches at a time, starting from the middle and working back then out. Went on super easy this way. Tried to reposition the first side afterwards but it started to bring up paint, probably should have wet it first.
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So... do most people accomplish getting their rail tape on without bubbling?
I'm leaning toward the Rail Saver Pro since there seem to be very few negative thoughts about it outside of the higher price...
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So... do most people accomplish getting their rail tape on without bubbling?
I'm leaning toward the Rail Saver Pro since there seem to be very few negative thoughts about it outside of the higher price...
I think with a lot of us it takes some practice. My first few tries had bubbles. I've used both the wet and dry methods. I seem to get more bubbles with the wet method.
The last board I did came out absolutely perfect using the dry method. You have to be more careful this way but if you get through it without messing up you'll have less chance of bubbles. With the dry method, once it's down, it's down. You can pull it up again but once you do that, it won't be perfect and will likely show.
I did it similar to the way DJ does it in this video. Laying down masking tape ensures that you follow a perfect line.
https://vimeo.com/128272629
I'm sure the colored tapes help a lot to hide bubbles and mistakes but I used the clear and it came out perfect on my new JL M-12'6. Not a single bubble.
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RSPro goes on dry very well and on a used board it hides any of the prior owners paddle scraps and chips.
I found that with the occasional bubble, taking a pin and popping the bubble and pressing the air our firmly seems to do the trick.
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I found that with the occasional bubble, taking a pin and popping the bubble and pressing the air our firmly seems to do the trick.
That's right. I forgot to mention that.
Also, it takes a lot of rubbing to get the tape to lay down clear everywhere. The best tool I found for that is a leftover piece of cut paddle shaft. It works a lot better than using your hand and fingers.
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...I have a hard time understanding paying a thousand or two for a new board and...
...having it crack, chip, dent and/or ding from paddle strikes. Better construction methods are available and boards that chip are ridiculous. I purposely left off rail protector on my new Sunova Surf just to see how the rails bare would hold up. Scuffs and scratches of course, but that's it.
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Some boards do hold up better than others for sure BD.
But, if you used RSP you wouldn't have any "scuffs and scratches", at all...
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Some boards do hold up better than others for sure BD.
But, if you used RSP you wouldn't have any "scuffs and scratches", at all...
It's also the paddler, some folks are just brutal on their boards and others not so much, I only seem to find rail scratches/dings/dents when the waves get chest high or bigger, I chalk that up to more powerful waves causing the increased wipe outs and incidental whacks of the paddle.
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I dont get why MFG's dont go ahead and add this to the boards. I picked up a YOLO Hammerhead for my daughter and it came with a White Tape that goes all the way around. Granted, this board is more designed for the rental market.
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I touched a buoy on my last run and had to compound black paint off my rail.
except where the RSP pro tape was! nothing there. I did laugh.
ed
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After several uses on my beater paddleboard, fishing, I find that my poling with a push pole does more damage than my paddling.. the board is 12'6". What I find is that when retreiving the pole for the next push , I slide the pole forward by walking the hands down the pole, and once the pole foot breaks the bottom it floats to the surface, sop, but then on many strokes as it breaks the surface next to the rear rails the wind or a wave will clang it against the board.
Most of the rail tapes, RSP and others, pretty much come in 5' or 6' pre cut strips... Any recommendations of a brand/version that is 8' to 10' long ?
I thought of another possible solution is just rough up the rails with 120 grit paper and paint on a layer of clear epoxy resin, maybe even add a strip of 4oz fabric. Any one tried this approach ?