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Looking for a good protective tape

CraigS

Monkey
Oct 13, 2012
123
11
upstate ny (518)
I've read about the 3M helicopter tape, but I cannot find it locally.
Where is the best place to find/purchase it?
Or is there an alternative? (something better,thicker,cheaper etc.)
 

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,630
5,443
Any shop that does car tinting should be able to help you out, they may even have some offcuts from doing smaller bonnets or doors. It all seems like quite expensive stuff, still waiting for Nissan to release their self healing paint but that won't help with rub marks.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
Wasn't there an article on mastic tape for covering chainstays? Heavy duty rubber that's thin and sticky. I think it's 8 or $12 a roll.
 

NwRider

Chimp
Dec 14, 2011
59
0
Bellingham, Wa
Wasn't there an article on mastic tape for covering chainstays? Heavy duty rubber that's thin and sticky. I think it's 8 or $12 a roll.
Thats what im running on my bike, sticks to the frame really well and you can kinda form it to any curves in your frame. Super quiet and was only $8 at the local hardware store
 

mattmatt86

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2005
5,347
10
Bleedmore, Murderland
Mastic is the way to go. You can get it at most hardware stores and it's 7-8 bucks, cuts easily, deadens a lot of the noise on a bike and it lasts pretty long.

Edit: sniped!
 
Last edited:

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
You diidn't say what you want it for ? For chainstays, nothing beats 3M 2228 tape. I had to go on Home Depot' site on my phone and look it up to prove to the store it existed. Then they got some old codger to find it for me on the end of the lamp isle just before the electrical switches.

For protecting your pretty painted downtube on frames, most all go with clear motocross number plate protector from any moto shop around.

Be specific or the net will pop like a zit.
 

rav400

Monkey
Aug 31, 2009
177
6
The Right Coast
You diidn't say what you want it for ? For chainstays, nothing beats 3M 2228 tape. I had to go on Home Depot' site on my phone and look it up to prove to the store it existed. Then they got some old codger to find it for me on the end of the lamp isle just before the electrical switches.

For protecting your pretty painted downtube on frames, most all go with clear motocross number plate protector from any moto shop around.

Be specific or the net will pop like a zit.

I didn't even consider looking at HomeDepot. I order my 3m Mastic tape from McMaster Carr. I explored many options for protecting the stays from the chain and mastic tape is the best option.


 

CraigS

Monkey
Oct 13, 2012
123
11
upstate ny (518)
You diidn't say what you want it for ? For chainstays, nothing beats 3M 2228 tape.


Yea, sorry everyone, I should have been more specific with what I want to do.
I use the 3M 2228 on my chainstay. I was looking for something clear and tough to protect painted areas.

There have been some good options listed. I really like the XPEL stuff , although its a little expensive.
But I guess the price is justifiable when you consider what your putting it on.:thumb:
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
Wasn't there an article on mastic tape for covering chainstays? Heavy duty rubber that's thin and sticky. I think it's 8 or $12 a roll.
This is what I use. You can get it at any local hardware store.

You can either get really creative with it and try to be all discrete, or you can hog it on all over the place.

I prefer the latter because I like to protect my frame and I like a quiet bike. Velcro and mastic tape uglying things up all over the place.
 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
Pics or video of installion of said material? Lots of 3M 2228 pics, but no one understands it's versatility for chainstays til they actually bust it out and let it set.

Would love to see some installation/before/after setup since there are no pics of it on that link.
Ill snap some closeups of my frame, not applying - but applied; this stuff requires some heat (I used hairdryer, heat gun would be overkill) to get it to mold around swoops and bends.

A bit of OCD goes a long way on projects like this. I only have a tiny area where the edge didnt seat solidly and has a bubble/lift. A little more attention to detail and this stuff can last the life of your bike, and then if properly removed - shiny bike revealed.

I would use the XPEL headlight film for impact and high abrasion areas, and somethin lighter duty (xpel paint protect?) for basic coverage from rubs and light stuff - if keeping the bike pristine is a goal.
 

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
I was saying that because I've been using Xpel for over 10 years but never shared my source of protective film with anyone until recently. I've told Steve here and maybe two others - now everyone is suggesting it. In the early days they were using 3M paper, but not they make their own, which I prefer because it's easier to remove.

You've seen pics of my bikes - they are covered with the stuff and you can barely see it. it's some of the cleanest (eg clear) film I've used.

Pics or video of installion of said material? Lots of 3M 2228 pics, but no one understands it's versatility for chainstays til they actually bust it out and let it set.

Would love to see some installation/before/after setup since there are no pics of it on that link.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
I was saying that because I've been using Xpel for over 10 years but never shared my source of protective film with anyone until recently. I've told Steve here and maybe two others - now everyone is suggesting it. In the early days they were using 3M paper, but not they make their own, which I prefer because it's easier to remove.

You've seen pics of my bikes - they are covered with the stuff and you can barely see it. it's some of the cleanest (eg clear) film I've used.
I asked because you are the net. ;)
 

6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
15,827
13,063
that's what I do - I only use the headlight film on the DT of my bike,
I just use the xpel paint stuff on scuff areas and then double up on the downtube. Although of my three mountain bikes, two are raw aluminion and the other is Ti...so no paint to worry about.
 

CBJ

year old fart
Mar 19, 2002
12,862
4,159
Copenhagen, Denmark
Just ordered some of the Xpel. The headlight protection looks really good and I am need of some to protect the TT on my Zaskar as the shifters can hit the TT. Also got some of the paint protector as I have a couple of other places I want to protect. Not cheap but if its high quality its fine with me as I do not change bike that often.