Tape that sticks

[norgale]

What's the best kind of detail tape /pinstripe to use as a waterline boot? I've used automotive stuff and it always comes undone. What do you do for a waterline boot stripe? Pete

[Kmot]

Pete, I use the Great Planes brand called Kwik Stripe.

[norgale]

Does it stay stuck on the boat even if it gets wet?

[Kmot]

It has so far, yes.

[norgale]

Thanks TOm. I'll give it a try. Pete

[Brooks]

Gee, auto tape stays on an auto in a carwash, with soap and solvents. I wonder if your hull is not clean enough for the adhesive, or maybe the paint it's applied over is porous? My auto stripe tape on my tug is still in place, but it's not used as boot topping, rather it's located higher. It gets wet each voyage, but is not immersed.

[tigerbay]

You could always put a coat of lacquer over it, if the paint is porous.

[SilentHunter]

You gotta heat it with a heat gun after it's applied, and rub it down hot to bond it.

[norgale]

It's true that the auto stripes stick well on very smooth surfaces like a car or a plastic model. However I have had problems with it sticking to my paint jobs on several hulls two being the 63' and the PT conversion hull. One is wood and the other is plastic,both are painted with the same kind of paint and the same colors.
I havn't tried heating the tape or clearcoating but those sound like good ideas.
I have ordered some of the Kwik Stripe so we'll see how that works. Pete

[Kmot]

I have never used a heat gun on the striping tape I mentioned. I do let it cure for a couple of days at least, before putting the boat in water. I think it naturally strengthens the bond by just letting it sit undisturbed for a couple of days.