Newbie here, having trouble with rail tape.
I've been through a couple of rolls now, trying to get it to stick. So before wasting another $45 I'm looking at some other options. The last roll came off the first time I hit the water.
Is there some kind of glue I could get so I can reuse the old tape? Or is there something else that might work better? I've seen some people mention gaffa tape etc.
I have a Waterborn Evoke and got this rail tape from the Surfboard Warehouse: www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com.au/products/atlantis-rail-tape
It is pretty rigid and doesn't really curve easily with the rail. I'm not sure what other tape is like, but on videos I've watched, a lot of it looks a bit more flexible and easier to bend.
I have used the same tape on a different board though (Atlantis Halo) and it seems to have stuck pretty well. So maybe it's the sharper rails of the Evoke that I'm struggling with.
Cheers.
Hey Shred, I have had that tape before and had the same problems as you... wouldn't touch it with a barge pole now.
I did use silicon, super glue and maybe even double-sided tape for a while but unless you do the whole lot it will likely still happen. Now, I only ever use good brand name tape... RS Pro normally but ION Tape and 3M tape work good as well. Never had an issue with any of them (over the past 8 odd years) so I recon it is worth the extra bucks...
RS Pro products can be ordered online from a chap in Merimbula and he is super snappy getting his orders out (also distributes Ke Nalu products as well)
I would only use RS Pro (or similar products) .. It's much easier to apply than other rail tapes.. and doesn't lift or peal on the edges..
It comes in clear.. and colours.. I often used the black because it would hide any air bubbles 
Don't waste your time with anything else . Just use RS Pro & you're done ! It'll last the lifetime of your board.
RS Pro all the way for me, got it on all 3 boards and it has never moved, easy to apply too.
Use only RSPro or 3M Helicopter tape. The rest is not worth the trouble.
I now use only 3M Helicopter tape, because:
- it is clear, so you can see if you ever get a ding under it.
- it clear, so you can see if you leave bubbles under it while applying it
- it is smooth: the RSPro textured surface will eat paddle guards. I also use helicopter tape on my paddle, as I use rail guard on only some boards (the ultralight ones), and on a 3' portion of the rail.
- it is very flexible, easy to apply on thin rails.
- it is sold in various widths, to fit various rail sizes
The only drawback is that it is expensive, like RSpro, but quality has a price.
PS: some advice to applying any rail tape:
- apply at at least 20C, e,g, in winter heat the rails a bit with an hairdryer. Same as pads.
- let it cure 24h at at least 20C (e.g, indoors in winter). Same as pads.
- avoid touching the tape with your bare fingers, especially the ends. I leave the backing tape on and only remove it at the last possible time. i even keep some spare backing tape around to put between my fingers and the glue if I forgot and removed all the tape. Fingers have a small layer of grease that prevent the glue from fully working.
- Stretch the tape a bit to follow curves, but be careful to not stretch it for the first and last 2", just like when using as a paddle guard.
- if you see some of the tape coming off after a while, immediately re-glue with some MS-Polymer glue. It works even when parts are humid, and does not damage the board.
Carbon Evoke 9.2 was my first surf specific sup. Still have nightmares about that rail tape. They shouldn't sell it. It is not flexible even with hairdryer. It is the worst rail tape in the history of rail tapes!!!
Bought 2 rolls of it and spent hours applying. Even paid the surfboard warehouse guy to apply a roll and it took him more than 30 mins with a hairdryer and credit card but it didn't last more than a few days. You do have to cut a small section for the indented sharp rails at the back as well. After using epoxy to hold bits on and that eventually giving way I went without it. The carbon board is more tough than light. It has a pretty thick skin compared to other lighter carbon sups I have had.
Any decent rail tape like Ion is sooooo much easier to apply and they never come off.
Throw away that SW rail tape and treat it as a lesson learnt!
Thanks for all the responses guys, I'm sold! I'm getting some proper rail tape and ditching that surfboard warehouse stuff. Thanks also for the helpful tips about applying it, really appreciate all the advice.
I use the same tape that's used on bike frames and car doors to stop stone chips. Much cheaper than normal SUP tape and thinner too, meaning it works really well on sharp rails, where the thicker tapes lift off at the edges. This combined with paddle edge guard works a treat.
Available in UK through Paragon Tapes.
I use the same tape that's used on bike frames and car doors to stop stone chips. Much cheaper than normal SUP tape and thinner too, meaning it works really well on sharp rails, where the thicker tapes lift off at the edges. This combined with paddle edge guard works a treat.
Available in UK through Paragon Tapes.
Select to expand quoteDaveb27 said..
I use the same tape that's used on bike frames and car doors to stop stone chips.
Note that's the same kind of polyurethane tape as 3M Helicopter tape. "Helicopter" comes because it was used on helicopter carbon blades to protect them from small gravel flying when close to ground, (now they have built-in protection).
The 3M tape can be thicker - and so more protective - because its glue is of higher quality and thus it does not peel off.
I have had that exact same issue re: rigidity of the SW rail tape. Took some creative post application trimming with a flat razor to get it stuck down on the narrower parts of the rail. Has held in there for a few months but looks ugly (probs due to my trimming skills!). Too stiff suit it's intended purpose.
I'll 100% go and look for a better product. Lots of great suggestions on here, thanks SUP community :)
Despite my anger at trying to install rail tape in the past (documented here) in the end it hasn't worked out too bad. Many of the bubbles have now disappeared and it looks like an ok job. I used the Starboard branded type, which is made by RS Pro, and it's quite narrow. This still gives protection from the paddle, but is much easier to apply than the much wider tape from another manufacturer that I attempted to install in the past.
I've used strips of paint protection film (ppf / helicopter tape / 3m etc) from Paragon tapes to temporarily protect smaller areas after bashing the board on various things accidentally. It goes on easily enough and has stayed in place. So much so that I haven't felt the need to remove it and do a more permanent fix.
