Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Why rail tape.

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Created by Jackmonaro > 9 months ago, 5 Jun 2021
Jackmonaro
3 posts
5 Jun 2021 7:41AM
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Is placing rail tape on the rail only to protect the rail from marks that you get from your paddle hits the rail?
If so, would t it be easier just to put some tape on the pole of your paddle?
cheers

Hoppo3228
VIC, 736 posts
5 Jun 2021 10:32AM
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Yes, people do that also / instead of.

Not on the pole, on the edges on the blade of the paddle

DaveSandan
VIC, 1364 posts
5 Jun 2021 1:14PM
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I tape my paddle blades and rail and I still miss all of that and end up with a small chip somewhere especially when surfing. My board would look much worse had a I not rail taped,I like to look after my gear and keep it looking new as much as possible, my spend a heap and treat it like ****?

wazza66
QLD, 607 posts
5 Jun 2021 6:33PM
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It's a no brainer IMO if you want to look after your boards rails from the concrete walls and floors and your paddle. Stick on and forget it is even there. Does not effect the performance of any of my boards from 8'0 to 12 ft.

I tape my blade but like the insurance that rail tape offer to the rails and resale value of your board. I'm also not a rail basher from 30 years of outrigger and ski paddling.

Personal opinion as some of my mates reckon they slow their board down.......not sure on that one though however.

I just rail taped my Laird 10'6 about 2 hours ago and know my rails will look the same whatever happens.

colas
4986 posts
6 Jun 2021 11:37AM
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I use 2 layers of 3M helicoper tape 8671HS on the blade.
It is sufficient for most boards.

For my lightest boards, more fragile, I add a 3' x 1" strip of it only in the front where I hit in frantic take offs. I do not like the feel of a rail saver when grabbing the rail in the center (e.g. when climbing back on the board). But I do not think they affect performance much.

I have used full rail savers for boards I knew I was likely to resell in the short/medium term, e.g. shapes that I wanted to try but were not fitting in my quiver. Having to fix properly the paddle chips on rails before a sale is a lot of work saved by... the rail saver.

Helmy
VIC, 796 posts
9 Jun 2021 2:30PM
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I also tape each side of my paddle shaft up about 500mm from the blade with 1 layer of black electrical tape.
It weighs nothing, you can't see it, and it adds a lot of protection.

supthecreek
2583 posts
9 Jun 2021 12:46PM
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Select to expand quote
Jackmonaro said..
Is placing rail tape on the rail only to protect the rail from marks that you get from your paddle hits the rail?
If so, would t it be easier just to put some tape on the pole of your paddle?
cheers


Another good reason to use rail tape is because it allows me to place the board on the rail, in the parking lot without fear of scratching the rails.

cantSUPenough
VIC, 2122 posts
10 Jun 2021 9:58AM
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In a previous discussion on this subject, someone pointed out that rail tape can make it difficult to repair dings.

I did not tape a recent board I bought. It looks pretty scuffed now, and as per STC's comment, I have to be careful with it. In hindsight, I should have taped it.

Daveb27
59 posts
12 Jun 2021 2:17PM
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I use thin rail tape that's also used on bike frames etc. I found the thick PVC stuff doesn't bend around the sharp rails you get on modern SUPs and eventually lifts off and looks tatty. The thin stuff does a really neat job, and is just about unnoticeable. It protects the rail from rubbing marks more than impact.
This tape combined with paddle edge protector, which prevents impact damage, works really well together and helps to keep the board looking bonny, for when you come to sell it, where it holds much more value, vs a board with chips.
Both products are available on Ebay etc.

LastSupper
VIC, 360 posts
12 Jun 2021 5:38PM
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Select to expand quote
Daveb27 said..
I use thin rail tape that's also used on bike frames etc. I found the thick PVC stuff doesn't bend around the sharp rails you get on modern SUPs and eventually lifts off and looks tatty. The thin stuff does a really neat job, and is just about unnoticeable. It protects the rail from rubbing marks more than impact.
This tape combined with paddle edge protector, which prevents impact damage, works really well together and helps to keep the board looking bonny, for when you come to sell it, where it holds much more value, vs a board with chips.
Both products are available on Ebay etc.


Whats it called mate ?

robertboyd2000
QLD, 22 posts
12 Jun 2021 8:06PM
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I always use rail tape on my boards but there is a downside. My allwave sup suffered a total rail collapse in a shorebreak. The rail tape had hidden a crack and over time the water ingress had a eroded the foam. If you find your board getting heavier overtime with no obvious damage consider what's happening under the rail tape.

colas
4986 posts
13 Jun 2021 12:44PM
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robertboyd2000 said..
The rail tape had hidden a crack.


Yes, I only use clear rail tape. I guess it is one of the few minus of the RS Pro: although they are now available in clear, they are not 100% clear, both with their logo and the texture.

Seajuice
NSW, 907 posts
13 Jun 2021 8:20PM
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I am all for a good thickness rail tape to protect the rails. I've used thin stuff like what can be used for protecting parts on cars & motorbikes. But wouldn't bother with that stuff anymore. So get a good quality rail tape.
I also tape my paddle blades with a good quality electrical tape.
My problem is that I do not re tape often enough after seeing the tape is damaged on both board & paddle.
My foilboard cops the most paddle hits both on the rails & deck. The board is showing its age but I love it. Re sale would not be worth it anymore. But I want the board to last. So I painted epoxy resin along the right side rail which I hit numerous times. And also have rail taped over that. Better than finding it gets water logged.

colas
4986 posts
14 Jun 2021 5:38PM
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Seajuice said..
I also tape my paddle blades with a good quality electrical tape.
My problem is that I do not re tape often enough after seeing the tape is damaged on both board & paddle.


You should try thick (360 microns) Helicopter tape on the blade. This stuff is incredibly more resistant to abrasion than electrical tape. I was changing my electric tape every 2-3 months on my paddle, but only once in years with Helicopter.

Daveb27
59 posts
17 Jun 2021 12:13AM
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Select to expand quote
LastSupper said..


Daveb27 said..
I use thin rail tape that's also used on bike frames etc. I found the thick PVC stuff doesn't bend around the sharp rails you get on modern SUPs and eventually lifts off and looks tatty. The thin stuff does a really neat job, and is just about unnoticeable. It protects the rail from rubbing marks more than impact.
This tape combined with paddle edge protector, which prevents impact damage, works really well together and helps to keep the board looking bonny, for when you come to sell it, where it holds much more value, vs a board with chips.
Both products are available on Ebay etc.




Whats it called mate ?



Only just seen a reply, it's from paragon tapes on ebay. Search invisible sup rail tape, I think it's the heli tape that's already been mentioned?

Don't waste money on the thick stuff would be my advice, if your board has sharp rails.

Daveb27
59 posts
17 Jun 2021 4:09PM
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Also, with the paddle edge guard, it's worth putting clear gorilla tape over the upper edges of the guard. I noticed the guard splits eventually at the shoulders of the blade where it suffers the most impacts. This stops this and also reduces rubbing friction and marks on the rail of the board.



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"Why rail tape." started by Jackmonaro