THE TAPE WHAT IT IS WHAT IT’S FOR Electrician’s Putty Synthetic rubber compounds, carbon black, granular filler on peel-off backing Starts as tape, molds into putty. Forms around cable and pipe where they pass through siding, framing. Blocks water and bugs and other vermin. Glue Strip Wax paper with adhesive beadChris Eckert/Studio DPeel-off paper backing leaves 1/16-in.-wide glue strip for light duty fastening, such as attaching small pieces of wood trim (dap.com). Duct Fiber-reinforced plastic (7.7 to 12.6 mils thick) with rubber or synthetic rubber adhesive The thin, inexpensive type is ideal for strapping, bundling, patching tarp, light-duty rope whipping. The professional, heavy-duty variety is appropriate for duct sealing. Both types damage a substrate when peeled away. Electrical Vinyl or PVC (7 to 8.5 mils thick) with adhesive that ranges from mildly to extremely stickyChris Eckert/Studio DSmall indoor electrical repairs can be made with the thinner variety. For outdoor use, buy the heavier, stretchable stuff (3m.com). Self-Fusing Rubber Silicone rubber (20 to 30 mils thick) with peel-off backing Repairs and wraps hoses, electrical cable, tool and sport equipment handles. Flexible, stretchable (tommytape.com). Masking (General) Crepe paper (4.5 to 5.5 mils thick) with rubber or acrylic adhesive Invented by 3M in 1925, it bundles materials and fastens paper. Note: Sunlight bakes tape onto surfaces, making removal difficult. Masking (Painting and Heavy-Duty) Crepe paper (5.7 to nearly 8 mils thick) with rubber adhesiveChris Eckert/Studio DUsed indoors or out, heavy-duty varieties of this tape are suited for high temperatures and rough surfaces. Removal period ranges from seven to 14 days (duckproducts.com and 3m.com)Roy BerendsohnSenior Home EditorRoy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
