Grip tape install

[Boriqua]

I like grip tape. I used it on both my retractable dog leashes and a few other slippery plastic bits. Its Arizona ... its dry .. your hands have no perceivable moisture.

So I wanted to put them on my new carry gun after having to adjust my grip some after 2-3 shots. I refuse to buy the decal sets for 10 bucks plus shipping when I bought a whole stair tread worth of 3M grip tape from home depot for less. Its about 2' x 10"

Problem was I put it on my gun ..and I went out once and the tape started to squirm off. Move over just enough to reveal sticky goo. Got home and pulled it off.

Picked this up on the web
So hope this is useful. Simply clean your grip vigorously and generously with alcohol. Cut your shapes, apply them to the gun where you want them, Heat up the tape while on the gun with a hair dryer so it is warm and not hot. Now here was the best part .. while still warm wrap the grip tight with electric tape that is sticky side out so it doesn't lift the grip tape when removing. I left it over night and that grip tape is on there good and after shooting hasn't budged.
Alex

[bigfelipe]

Interesting tip. I was going to put it on my comp gun, but decided on a Glock RTF instead.

[Kappy]

Nice. That sounds good. Any theories on why it works?

[Boriqua]

Originally Posted by Kappy

Nice. That sounds good. Any theories on why it works?

Only reason I could think of for it working is that you are trying to take something that is flat and fairly rigid (grip tape) and bend it over a tight radius. On top of that you are only using like a 1/2 inch wide strip so it doesn't have the benefit of a large contact area. Heating it some would not only soften the glue making it more tacky but make the grip tape more pliable. Wrapping it up with the electric tape would help it maintain its new shape while it cooled ...

If I am guessing.
Alex

Comments

Interesting thread

[Matt]

Do you have any pics of yours? Good advice!

[mojo]

I have grip tape on a couple of my pistols. I don't know about having to use a hair dryer but as long as the tape is fairly new and not been laying around a while just a damn good clean with alcohol first should ensure a nice clean surface to adhere to. I used to manage an aftermarket dash board plant (wood and carbon fibre) here in Daytona and believe me when a good clean first will help adhere almost anything of any shape to any surface

[CQB]

I use the hair dryer trick too; but, thanks for the electric tape wrap. I'll have to give it a try in about 6 months when I need new panels.

Do you keep templates of the shapes you will need to duplicate?

I get my grip tape at True Value Hardware. It is called, 'Stair Tread Tape'; it's a little thicker than most, nice and gritty, and sticks very well. I got a year out of the last set I put on. Cut them out with a razor knife after tracing out the template. (Remember to reverse the template from the side you actually want.)

[Matt]

Fricton tape may work best. I think that's the name of it. It's like thick electrical tape without the glue.