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 I'm in the midst of a winter repair project that has me
seeking the best of the best duct tape, within reason.
The repair stems from a Labor Day river tubing trip down the
Battenkill in nearby Vermont. (Photo at right is not me.) I own six Intex River Run 1 inflatable tubes that
friends and family use several times a season. The last time they were used,
one of the tubes emerged from the river with a 10-inch jagged gash. It had to
have happened within the last few minutes of the 5-hour float, as the occupant
waded ashore just as the tube became useless. This is the first popped tube in
a dozen trips.
It might be good enough to throw it out, and suffice with a
fleet of five tubes or just buy a new one for about $20. But this will likely
happen again, so it makes sense to invest in repair materials that will cost
about the same. Besides, one less tube is one less person or ice chest of beer
that gets to float the river. Even in the cold of January I'm thinking of warm
days ahead.
The tubes are manufactured from 8 gauge vinyl sheeting.
Intex makes a repair kit that comes with a small amount vinyl patch and vinyl
cement, but the patch was too small for my use. I instead ordered a patch for a
vinyl airbed, and it was large enough for me to trim and cover the gash. After
applying the adhesive I clamped the tube between two small boards and left it
to sit for 72 hours in the basement.
 After that I blew the tube up indoors and put 20 lb. of
dumbbells on it; 24 hours later there was no air leak. The patch job seems
stable and it will likely hold up. Not bad considering I spent about $7 so far
on materials, though I've waited two weeks for the deliveries.
I am a bit worried about it the patch's integrity for a full
day of tubing however. Ideally this patch will support a 200-lb. load for 5
hours, while being constantly exposed to water and UV light. There's also the
chance for more abrasion from rocks and other river debris at the patch site. If
this patch were to fail mid-float, someone is walking the rest of the way to
the car.
Naturally I'm investigating the best duct tape possible for
this function. I'm currently leaning towards
Mil Spec duct tape, as known as 100 MPH tape. I'd heard of it before  and
the reviews seem positive. While researching it however, I learned of AMG MG260 Military Grade duct tape,
but I can't distinguish what makes it difference that 100 mph tape (other than
100+ mph wind resistance?), or a tape like Sticky Ass Tape, which also
claims to stick even in the face of 200 mph wind. Popular Mechanics backs Gorilla tape for water
resistance tasks.
I've searched the CR4 archives and there was
never a "best tape" debate. If you have an opinion, weigh in. I've only got five months to figure this out.
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Re: The BEST Duct Tape?
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