Protective Tape FAQ

 

1 – What is Protective Tape?

Protective tapes are used to provide a barrier between a surface and the surrounding environment. They can also be used as a temporary repair and create a seal to protect the underlying surface.

Protective tapes can protect against abrasion, chemicals, light, and heat and depending on the type of material you want to protect, and the use of the tape, you might need to choose a tape made from a specific material such as aluminium.

 

2 – How do you use Protective Tape?

Protective tapes are simply applied to the area that requires covering. They use a pressure sensitive adhesive and will conform closely to the surface shape preventing material from bleeding under them where it might cause damage.

If protective tape is being used for longer periods of time – for example if you are using aluminium tape to protect a surface from an adjacent heat source – it is important to check the tape regularly to ensure that it remains in place correctly.

 

3 – What is Protective Tape used for?

Protective tapes can be used anywhere that you want to preserve a surface and prevent damage. Examples might include areas around doors, painted surfaces close to heat sources such as engines, and areas of paintwork that might come into contact with debris – such as the lower edge of a car body.

The protective tape will absorb the heat or impacts from objects and stop them affecting the underlying surface. Over time, the tape will degrade and need to be replaced.

 

4 – What is Protective Tape made from?

A variety of different protective tape products are available that are suited to different uses.

Most protective tapes are manufactured from cloth with a hard-wearing PVC surface layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive. These types of tape – like gaffer tape – are well suited to preventing abrasion.

Tapes with an aluminium foil layer are suited to protecting against heat sources and reflect some heat away to stop it affecting the underlying paint.

Crepe tapes can be used for short term protection during paint jobs and are heat resistant meaning that they can be used throughout the paint preparation and drying process.

 

5- Does Protective Tape peel off easily?

Usually, protective tape can simply be peeled off when no longer required and should not leave a residue or affect the underlying surface. If the tape has been left in place for an extended period, the adhesive may have started to degrade, and some residue might remain.

If the tape has been used in an area with a substantial amount of dust or dirt present, some of this may be left in the surrounding area and should be cleaned away before a new protective layer is added.

The types of adhesives used for protective tape should not damage the underlying material or cause paint to chip unless the paintwork is already damaged or loose.

 

6 – What Temperature can Protective Tape withstand?

Aluminium protective tape is manufactured to provide heat resistance between -30oC and 120oC and can be used to protect sensitive materials or equipment from extreme temperatures.

Crepe protective tape has a specially formulated adhesive that will stay in place up to 160oC, making it suitable for protecting painted surfaces during curing.

 

7 – Can you use Protective Tape on plastics?

The adhesives used for protective tapes can be used to protect plastics from abrasion and minor impacts. Note that high ambient temperatures may affect plastics and cause them to melt or become misshapen.

 

8 – Will Protective Tape leave a residue?

The pressure sensitive adhesive used on protective tapes should not leave a residue when removed under normal circumstances, however if it has been left in place for an extended period, or been exposed to substantial amounts of debris, some material may be left behind when the tape is removed.

Cleaning the area after removing the tape is recommended using a suitable solvent that will not damage the protected area.

 

9 – How long will Protective Tape last?

The length of time that protective tape will last will depend on the environment where it is used. While tapes are hard wearing, they can become damaged over time if they are subject to elevated levels of abrasion.

Ideally, you should check the tape regularly and replace it when it starts to show signs of wear to ensure that the area remains well preserved.

 

10 – Can Protective Tape be re-used?

We would not advise re-using protective tapes. Over time, the tape absorbs the damage that would otherwise have affected the area it is being used to protect, and as such it will degrade. Once the tape has begun to degrade it should be removed and replaced to ensure maximum protection.

For more information about our range of protective tape, please contact a member of our team, or visit our online store to see our products.