Date:         Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:19:47 -0500
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Nashua silicone tape vs Rescue Tape (tm)
Comments: cc: David McNeely <mcneely4@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

By getting the SKU  (267011) off the web and bringing it to a store I
finally managed to get hold of a roll of the Nashua silicone sealing
tape from Home Depot.  Ten foot roll costs $6.77, color your choice of black.

I think price for price they're probably similar value, but I'm not
sure that the Nashua stuff would be as satisfactory.  I think it
would, but I'm not sure.  It would need more layers to get the same
effect.  It would certainly be much easier to apply for people who
have trouble getting enough stretch on the Rescue Tape.  The
instructions on the package are very poor; they don't even mention
stretching it, let alone emphasize it; and they don't talk about curing time.

The Rescue Tape in stretched and then relaxed condition is about
.022" constant thickness.  The Nashua tape under same condition is
about .020 in the middle half, tapering to .010 at each edge.  Based
on a short sample, weight ratio for equal lengths is about 9:7 but
could be almost 10:6.

Willing stretch is about the same, call it 3:1.  Each will fuse to
the other no problem.

 From a never-stretched condition the Nashua will run out of stretch
before the Rescue Tape has stretched more than a few per cent.  Once
the Rescue Tape is fully stretched and relaxed, the Nashua tape will
stretch about two or more to its one.

I haven't set up a clamp and spring scale yet, but by pulling apart
between two hands (remember, I'm sixty) I was barely able to break
the Nashua tape and got my fingers bit for my trouble.  I could not
break the Rescue Tape.  I'm certain I can exert at least fifteen
pounds that way and probably twenty five.

Yours,
David

--
David Beierl -- dbeierl@attglobal.net