Heavy duty tape that protects gelcoat under hatch
03-18-2018 | 02:30 PM
#1
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From: Washington, MO
Heavy duty tape that protects gelcoat under hatch
Hey guys. Doing some under the engine hatch detailing. Along the edge on each side where the hatch closes there is this heavy duty one sided tape that gets sandwiched with the hatch closed to act as a cushion. I assume to protect the gelcoat surfaces from rubbing together. Over the years mine has yellowed really bad, so today I got out the heat gun, some Goo Gone and took it all off. Any suggestions for a replacement? I'm going to contact Formula this week to see what they recommend, but wondering if anyone here has replaced it in the past.
03-19-2018 | 12:34 PM
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From: Greensboro,NC
I had the same problem. Mine looked bad. I removed it and installed a white rubber thin foam weatherstrip that I found at Home Depot. It is the same width of the original and looks great. I have had it on there a few years or more and it still looks great. Jeff wurl
03-19-2018 | 01:15 PM
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From: Lake Norman
I work for these guys in Denver, NC and there are a few options that are better than the foam stuff from Home Depot or Lowes.
Quality sponge extrusion. 3m adhesive peel-n-stick . . . many profiles available.
https://www.steelerubber.com/peel-n-stick-general-use
Quality sponge extrusion. 3m adhesive peel-n-stick . . . many profiles available.
https://www.steelerubber.com/peel-n-stick-general-use
03-21-2018 | 12:50 PM
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From: Washington, MO
Thanks for the tips guys. I made contact with Formula and they will sell me what came with the boat at $1.43/foot. They call it 'rub tape'. It worked well for a lot of years, so I'm just going to go that route.
03-27-2018 | 09:27 PM
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From: Lake St. Clair, MI
Can you post a pic of what 'Rub Tape' looks like? I need it to protect the painted surfaces.
03-28-2018 | 06:49 PM
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From: Washington, MO
03-30-2018 | 09:47 AM
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I just did the same exact thing on mine. I would recommend using a heat gun to remove the old otherwise it comes off in two layers and its a pain to remove with goo gone but can be done. I hated that yellowing look.
Last edited by soonenough; 03-30-2018 at 09:52 AM.
04-01-2018 | 01:36 PM
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From: Washington, MO
Here are some pics of the ‘rub tape’ as Formula calls it. I bought 8’ from them and when received there was no indication of the manufacturer of the tape. Measured it with a caliper and it is .014” thick with adhesive. Semi clear, smooth and appears to be durable plastic with very strong adhesive backing.
A heat gun, Goo Gone and some elbow grease took care of the 12 year old original tape. I prepped the surface with isopropyl alcohol / water mix. Ran along the inside edge with the tight radius and the excess width laid down nice on the wide radius on the outside. I also snugged all the screws that lay on the tape when the hatch is closed. They all took at least a 1/4 turn.
All-in-all an easy job and looks much better!
04-10-2018 | 01:16 PM
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From: Lake St. Clair, MI
That stuff looks great.
I found the material by the roll on eBay - 3M / Scotch makes it - Item number 5423. - $14.99 for the entire roll of 54 ft. UHMW material is very tough, being that my engine bay area is all painted - this will do a great job protecting it.
I found the material by the roll on eBay - 3M / Scotch makes it - Item number 5423. - $14.99 for the entire roll of 54 ft. UHMW material is very tough, being that my engine bay area is all painted - this will do a great job protecting it.
