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So, new bike day is nearly upon me, and I'm weighing up my options for protective tape/covering.
The frame is a simple hardtail with gloss paint finish in a pale(ish) colour, so clear shiny tape should be fine I assume... But, what 'brand', where to buy from and how best to prep the frame are still up for debate...
Please enlighten me with your collective wisdom.
Thanks
Electric insulation tape 5 rolls for £3 on eBay.
INVISIFRAME
tape - 3M polyurethane tape if you want branded / most reliable, otherwise take your pick from ebay - I've used some 'teckwrap' with success. Others are available
Prep - soap & water, dry with microfibre cloth, wipe with alcohol then mist frame, tape and fingers with water / soap solution, float on the tape and use a squeegee to apply it. hair dryer can be helpful. Do it somewhere clean, warm and well lit. Use some good scissors / knife to cut it and round off the corners. Be patient 🙂
I still like this:
Clear gorilla repair tape. Tough and hard wearing and you get a decent roll, and it's not like duct tape with threads in it and clumps of adhesive, it's like thick tough sellotape. Easy to cut. Clean frame with white spirit, wash hands and stick on. Hair dryer to warm tape if its colder.
If not Invisiframe, which is excellent, then this (the 150 micron) is supposedly the stuff they use. I ordered some yesterday for a couple of bits I need to sort on my road bike.
Effetto Mariposa Shelter tape.
Very good and sticky. Very tough.
The Bike Tart tape mentioned above is excellent IMO, have used it on a couple of bikes and happy to recommend.
Slight hijack now but if anyone could point me in the right direction for some good quality matte finish tape that would be super handy thanks 😉
Clear gorilla repair tape. Tough and hard wearing and you get a decent roll, and it’s not like duct tape with threads in it and clumps of adhesive, it’s like thick tough sellotape. Easy to cut. Clean frame with white spirit, wash hands and stick on. Hair dryer to warm tape if its colder.
Not very sticky though, I find.
I have used the 150 micron and 300 micron stuff that fathomer linked, it's mostly come with 3M branded backing and is indistinguishable from invisiframe stuff. The 300 is good for a bit of extra protection under the down tube, but the 150 is easier to work on compound curves etc. It's my go to tape now, having tried a few.
I've not found a decent matte tape though that is easy to work with and get good results. I think part of the problem is getting a good clean bond on a matt finish bike.
Used this stuff on a Matt frame and it's held up well but it is harder to work with than glossy tape.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F261184046976
Try Paragontapes on Ebay, Ive used their clear glossy stuff for a few years/bikes.
They do matte and 'carbon' too.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/paragontapes
+1 for paragon.