Rescue Tape - don't laugh

[Salmon Troller]

For the second (& hopefully last) time, we blew another muffler. The boat was set up with the now discontinued Salisbury Rubber mufflers on the v-drive engines. The mufflers come right off the risers and are apparently subjected to some extreme exhaust. I lost one muffler last year where it hardened and split, spewing saltwater everywhere in the engine room and filling the room with exhaust. We limped back to the dock and replaced it. Now a week ago we blew another one while at Coronet Bay. Luckily I bought some of the Rescue Tape at the last show. This stuff works - I bandaged the muffler and finished the trip. It held the exhaust & water for many hours and is still ready for more. This weekend, we junk the old style mufflers and go with current Centek fiberglass - hope we never need the tape again, but I will be buying a new roll at the next show!
Jim

[SomeSailor]

Not laughing at all Jim. We use LOTS of that in the military. Here's the kicker though. That stuff he's selling is available MUCH cheaper elsewhere.

Look around your local plumbing supply for "Self-Fusing", "Self-Vulcanizing" (or similar tape. You can find it most anywhere.

The military calls it "Bubble Gum" tape and it's great for emergency repairs on hoses and such. If it's kept fresh and stretched properly as installed, it'll cure into a solid rubber piece in a few hours. I've got probably a dozen rolls around the house here.

[Salmon Troller]

Thanks for the advice Mike. I was reasonably sure that it would do well on heater hoses or other normal plumbing, but I was leery about the tape's ability to handle the exhaust heat. It did just fine. When I R&R the muffler, I will be cutting the tape off to see how it really held up in direct contact.

You mention that I can get this at a plumbing store. Would one of the big box stores have the tape or do I need to seek out a plumbing specialty store? You also mention that it has to be "fresh". What kind of a shelf life would it have (I keep it in my tool drawer in the boat where it is relatively cool & dark), maybe 5 years?

Either way, I'm sold on this stuff. I may have to put a roll in the truck as well!

[SomeSailor]

That's why we called it "Bubble Gum" tape. It has a light sugar coating on one side and it covered in a plastic strip.

The really fresh stuff sticks very well to itself. As it gets older, it loses some of that ability. Navy stuff has a shelf life and comes in an airtight tin.

You can buy it at Ace Hardware. They call it "Tommy Tape". (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1288127)

[bradvo]

I remember when I was a kid you could buy this tape in the auto stores to tape around an exhaust pipe that had a hole in it until ya could get it repaired right.

[Eagle Lady]

Zero for zero... Went to our local "usually find everything" hardware mercantile yesterday asking for "Tommy Tape", Vulcanizing, Fusing et cetera tape. Surprised to hear they weren't aware of this product & no idea where to find it. They asked what it was used for and thank goodness another customer overheard & mentioned they knew of the stuff and explained it to them as well..

Even though they had product information from 2 different customers and that it was normally found in hardware stores they sent me on my way, "Better check at a marine supply". :rolleyes: Doh!!

Then to top that off I figured I was on a roll so I asked if they had Capt Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure for crack repairs in fiberglass and etc. Both raised their eyebrows and promptly asked if I was making all of this up... "Nope sorry don't have that either"

Ok, so where do you find this stuff? Would like to try them both.

[SomeSailor]

Ace Hardware has it... check the link a few posts up. I can't swear by it, but I think Lowes (or was that Eagle) had it as well.

[Salmon Troller]

Then to top that off I figured I was on a roll so I asked if they had Capt Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure for crack repairs in fiberglass and etc. Both raised their eyebrows and promptly asked if I was making all of this up... "Nope sorry don't have that either"

Ok, so where do you find this stuff? Would like to try them both.

The Crack Cure may be a bit too specialized for the run of the mill hardware store, but I know that West Marine carries it. I will let you know if I can find the Rubber Tape, but that may need to wait for the Boat Show.

[pkrogh]

The really fresh stuff sticks very well to itself. As it gets older, it loses some of that ability. Navy stuff has a shelf life and comes in an airtight tin.

Mike, when you say 'airtight' does that mean that it's just air that causes the stuff to age? Is it just the oxygen? Would a gas tight container with, say, argon, do the the job? What about temperature, etc?

I've heard about this stuff but haven't wanted to buy more than a roll at a time because I was afraid of that expensive tape deteriorating too quickly!

Please tell us more about 'preserving' this stuff.

Thanks,
Pete

[SomeSailor]

It's nothing exotic. It's just uncured silicon rubber tape. When you stretch it, it opens the sealed side and then as you wrap it, it sticks and then fuses to itself. No adhesive at all. Once cured it's like a solid chunk of silicone.

3M Calls it 70 Tape (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MElectrical/Home/ProductsServices/Products?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20OES1_nid=R682W 6GZHRbe70Q1MK7N3Ngl)

I think Lowes carries it as well.

You can buy it online at:

ULINE (http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_6422.asp?Pricode=WK713)

ACE HARDWARE (http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/tommy-tape-self-fusing-silicone-rubber-tape-p-17545.html?ref=42)

EASTWOOD (http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&itemID=17402&keyword=tommy%2Ctape&cm_mmc=PMD_SE-_-Google-_-Adhesives-_-tommy_tape)

AMAZON (http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=tommy+tape&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=2388221489&ref=pd_sl_a6by98jo4_e)

[pkrogh]

When you stretch it, it opens the sealed side and then as you wrap it, it sticks and then fuses to itself.

Ah ha! Now I understand! That's some really clever stuff. Stretching opens the 'seal' so to speak. Neat!

Thanks for the explanation!

Pete

[SomeSailor]

I actually had my hands on it at my local Ace Hardware. It's in the Electrical tape section. 10 yard rolls for $8 a roll. It's good stuff once you've used it before.

[Eagle Lady]

Well, well, well, I found it where they said it wasn't to be...well sort of. I was asking the wrong person is all - it's an online item (McLendon's.com) and they do call it "Tommy Tape". The store you can typically, usually, always find anything hardware you need.

Home > electrical > wire & tape > Product Detail > Tommy Tape

Self Fusing Silicone Rubber Tape
1" x 10'
For automotive, electrical, marine, plumbing athletic and general
12,000 volts max
Bonds to itself
Water tight seal
-65 to 500 deg. F
UV, chemical and weather resistant
Soft and form fitting
Black
SKU: 3073533
Model #: 00-04195
Price: $5.99

[SomeSailor]

It's neat stuff.

[SPUD]

I bought some at the boat show.....glad it works.....haven't used it yet.

Should have gone to McLendons instead though !

Spud