Initial Report:
McNett Tenacious Tape
Jennifer
Koles
March 16, 2006
Reviewer
Information
Name: Jennifer
Koles
Age: 31
Gender: Female
Height: 5
ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight:
140 lb (64 kg)
Email
address: jennksnowy@yahoo.com
City, State, and Country:
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Backpacking
Background
I started taking overnight
backpacking trips this past summer in the Uinta Mountain Range in Utah. I already
owned some backpacking gear that I had purchased over the past few years. Although
I enjoyed my backpacking experience this summer, I found myself taking entirely
too much gear. I am finding out slowly how to minimize my needs and not require
extra luxuries. My previous outdoor experiences consisted of 4 wheel-drive
camping in primitive areas and day hiking. I plan to take more trips, increase
my duration, and reduce my pack weight from 45 lb (20.4 kg).
Product
Information
The
Tenacious Tape comes packaged in a blue transparent plastic cylindrical tube.
The tape is rolled into a cylinder and held in position with a rubber band.
The tape has a paper backing that is removed prior to application to expose
the adhesive.
Manufacturer:
McNett Corporation
Year
of Manufacture: 2006
Manufacturer’s
Website: http://www.mcnett.com
Listed
Weight: not listed on manufacturer website
Weight
as Delivered: .80 oz (23 g) including container and roll; roll .50 oz (14
g);container .30 oz (9 g)
MSRP: $3.50
US currency
Color
Available: clear
Color
Tested: clear
Manufacturer Listed
Dimensions: 20 in x 3 in (50 cm x 7.5 cm)
Measured Dimensions:
20 in x 3 in (50 cm x 7.5 cm)
Product Description
Manufacturer Description:
- Removable - Leaves No Residue!
- High Strength Adhesive - Better Than Duct Tape!
- Clear Matte Finish - Works on Any Fabric Color
- Long Lasting Repairs
- Lightweight and Compact
Directions (noted by the manufacturer):
Prep: Clean and dry area to be repaired. Trim loose threads. Join torn edges
of material. Cut patch to overlap damaged area by at least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
in all directions. Round patch at corners.
Apply: Peel off backing and apply to damaged area. Apply pressure from center
out to eliminate air bubbles. For maximum strength on large holes, apply matching
patch to opposite side of material. Product can be used immediately; adhesive
will continue to strengthen over time.
For Permanent Repairs: Use Seam Grip Field Repair Kit or Aquaseal Water Repair
Kit
Initial Impression
To open the container you use a twisting motion with your hand. The container
opens in abut 3 full turns. I like the idea of the container to help store
the tape away from dirt and moisture.
When I removed the roll of tape from the container I noticed it was difficult
to manage the tape. The tape would roll back into the original shape of the
roll. I rolled the tape into the opposite direction and that did help some
when preparing the tape for application. I also noticed that there were some
wrinkles in the tape while it was adhered to the adhesive backing. The tape
was not difficult to remove from the paper backing.
For areas that are greater than 5 in (13 cm) and in
a confined space (ex. repairing the inside of the boot), I found it difficult
to place the tape in the desired location. I had no difficulty placing the
tape on a smaller repair (ex. windsurfing sail and jacket) that is less than
5 in (13 cm) in an open area that is not in a small confined space.
I was uncertain if the tape would bond, since it was not as
sticky as some other types of tapes I have used in the past. The tape adhered
well to flat surfaces, such as the windsurfing sail. I had difficulty bonding
the tape to a curved surface, such as the top of the boot. When repairing the
jacket the material wanted to pucker when applying the tape.
Testing Strategy
The Tenacious Tape was utilized for three repair jobs outlined below.
Repair to Inside of
Hiking Boot
This repair job was difficult due to the large 4 in (10
cm) area that needed repair in a small and confined space.
The boot was originally repaired using Duct Tape approximately
one year ago. The tape was starting to peel off, so I thought I would
use the Tenacious Tape on the repair this time. I completely removed
the Duct Tape that was adhered to the inside of the boot.
I found the tape difficult to conform to the heel area
on the inside of the boot. The space inside the boot was small and confined
and I was using a 6 in (15 cm) piece of tape. I used this size of tape
to fully cover the heel area inside the boot. I used two pieces of tape
and overlapped them so there would not be any discomfort while wearing
the boots. I also had difficulty adhering the tape to the top of the
boot. I originally wanted to have the tape placed over the tear in the
heel and have the tape placed so that it would extend from the inside
of the boot, over the top of the brim, then placed about an inch down
on the outside leather. This would prevent the tape from peeling off
as the boot is placed on and pulled off my foot. Since the tape did not
stay adhered to the outside of the boot I improvised by placing Duct
Tape over the edge of the tape and secured it to the leather on the outside
of the boot.
So far I have worn the boots for two days and the tape
remains intact. |
The arrows indicate a tear in the
leather and the fabric inside of a hiking boot.
The two arrows located toward the top of
the picture indicate where the leather was separating from the material
along a seam inside the boot.
The bottom arrow indicates a tear in the
leather inside the boot in the heel area near the sole.
|
Tenacious Tape was applied to the tear
and the seam separation.
|
Duct Tape was applied to the top of the
boot to secure the Tenacious Tape in place.
|
Repair on Torn Jacket Sleeve
There were two tears on the jacket sleeve. One measured
2 in (5 cm) in length and the other measured 1.5 in (4 cm) in length.
I followed the directions for preparing the fabric. I
trimmed the frayed edges and I joined the area of material the best that
I could.
The first time I applied the tape to the fabric the tape
was not centered. So I decided to peel it off. The tape was easily removed
and no residue noted.
The second time I applied the same piece of tape it was
a success. I attempted to remove all the air bubbles and creases. Some
creases of the fabric can still be seen in the picture to the right.
The tape is almost transparent. On darker fabrics it is more noticeable.
The tape had a strong initial bond on the jacket. The
jacket was worn immediately after the repair and I noted no sign of the
tape peeling. I attempted to peel the tape off within an hour of application
and I was unable to do so with minimal effort. |
Tear in jacket sleeve
|
Tenacious Tape applied to tear
|
Repair to Tears in Windsurfing Sail
My windsurfing sail had two small punctures through the
fabric and plastic material of the sail. One hole measured .39 in (1 cm)
and the other measured .59 in (1.5 cm). The tape was applied to both sides
of the sail in the area of the puncture holes.
I applied the Tenacious Tape with no difficulty to the area in need of
repair. The tape is nearly invisible on the sail. The photograph to the
right shows some glare where the tape was applied. I did notice that the
tape is even less evident when applied to lighter colors.
|
Tears in windsurfing sail
|
Tenacious Tape applied to tears
|
Testing Locations
-
The items the tape
was applied to will be primarily tested in the mountainous region of
northern Utah. Most elevation ranges in the Utah Wasatch and Uinta Mountain
Ranges are between 9,000-10,000 ft (2700-3000 m). The daily average temperature
in these mountain ranges at 9,000 ft (2700 m) during the winter and early
spring months is 10 F (-12 C). The daily average temperature during the
mid to late spring months is 35 F (2 C). The average amount of snowfall
is 500 in (13 m) in the Wasatch Mountain Range.
-
During the winter and spring months I frequently overnight camp in the
Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The climate in this area is
dry during the winter and early spring months and the temperatures average
40 F (4 C) during the day. The elevation in this area is generally 5000 ft
(1500 m) with ranges of a few hundred feet.
Test Plan
-
Determine how
long the tape stays adhered to different fabrics and materials (leather,
cloth, plastic). Does the tape peel off when it becomes wet or with
quick changes in temperature? Does the tape peel off the jacket when washed?
Does the tape peel off the windsurfing sail after being exposed to water?
-
I will evaluate if the tape remains clear in color or if
there is any discoloration noted. Does any water seep between the tape
and the item it was applied to?
-
I hope to test the effectiveness when repairing a bicycle
tube (if I get a flat during the test). I cut some small circular
pieces of the tape and stored them in my bike pouch for when they are needed.
Determine if the patch adheres to the tube and how long the patch remains
on the tube.
-
To make repairs in the field I would carry the tape with
me in my backpack placed in the cylindrical tube provided. I
would like to test the effectiveness of the tape after being
stored in a backpack for at least 3 months. Does the cylindrical tube keep
moisture and dirt away from the tape?
-
I will evaluate if water seeps in the the container when submerged in
water. I will complete this potion of the test with a small amount of tape
in the container, to determine if the tape remains dry.
Remarks
Thank
you McNett Corporation for providing me with the opportunity to test the
Tenacious Tape. I will test the above stated
factors and any other issues that may arise during the test.
Read more reviews of McNett Corporation gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Estrella
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