Silicone Tape

I was looking for something to wrap around the handles of my cook pot and bought some silicone tape. Haven't tested its heat resistance yet but its supposed to be good to 500F. Also used it on a flashlight and a camp machete for increased grip. I'm pretty amazed with this stuff. Don't know how long it will last but so far so good. Gonna try it out on a leaky garden hose next. Probably add a roll or two to the various kits. Anyone else use this stuff?

I haven't this stuff by name, but it sounds an awful lot like the famous F-4 tape from my Air Force days.

You're talking about the self-fusing tape that places like Duluth Trading sell? (Home Depot too, but only in black...)

Supposed to be able to wrap radiator hoses, plumbing pipes, whatever, and it seals to itself in a few seconds?

Please follow back up with a report of how well it worked....

It sounds like what we call "miracle tape" in the wireless industry. If it is, it is good stuff as long as you do your part.

My local hardware store had it up by the cash register, it looked interesting and useful so I picked up a roll for my suv kit. They had it in red, green, yellow and black. Haven't used it yet but it would also me great for the ends of ropes.

It sounds as if it might be useful for babysitting...

Sue

It is also listed as 'self-fusing tape'. I have used it to weatherproof electrical and communications connection.

It also seals best when applied to a regular cross-section, like the circular cross-section of an electrical cable or around a pipe. It is largely immune to UV exposure and most common solvents once fused.

It doesn't stick to anything but itself. This is an advantage if you have to rework the connection later on. You slit the mass and it pulls away cleanly making repairs or rework quick and easy. Solvent based coating, like Liquid Tape or Scotch-Coat, can be difficult, verging on impossible, to remove. Making it more efficient to just cut out the section of cable. Assuming you have slack to spare. Most tapes leave behinds adhesive residue that can be quite a mess.

The key to using it is to wrap it tight, stretching it tightly as you wrap. Once wrapped applying pressure helps fuse the layers into a solid mass. In extreme cold the tape fuses faster and better if the tape is kept warm and/or the wrapped mass is warmed. Connection wrapped in the rain, or wet with sweat, don't fuse well. Keep the process dry.

Art's correct, it really doesn't leave any residue. I wrapped some around the handles of my Snowpeak Ti cup and boiled some water on the stove to test heat resistance. Flame was about 2" from the silicone. No melting/burning and it insulated the handle well enough to touch with bare hands. I've also wrapped the P38 can opener I keep on the keychain. I usually wrap it with regular tape to keep the edges from poking holes in my pants pocket but it leaves a sticky residue. I'm interested to see how well it holds up on keychain duty.