• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Wire Wheel Question: PVC Tape

Share this page

G

Guest

Guest
Guest
Offline
Hey guys, I have probably ordered a wire wheel for my spare tire compartment. I will get a Vredestein Sprint Classic 165HR15 tire, and a tube, and PVC tape for the wheel.

HOW DO I PUT ON THE TAPE?

Do any of you wire wheel folks have a photo of how the tape is installed. Obviously, it goes over the ends of the spokes, but I would LOVE to see a photo of what a proper tape-job looks like. (Remember whom you are dealing with here.)

As usual, thanks in advance.
 
Start at any spoke nipple and wrap the tape around and around the wheel until the nipples are completely covered. Since you are only doing one wheel, just wrap until the tape is used up. The point is to eliminate the tube becoming abraided by the nipples because the tube will tend to move and rub as the wheel rotates. The tape allows for this movement sans the abraiding.
 
According to the folks at Hendrix Wire Wheel, the PVC tape is the preferred method now compared to the traditional 'rubber bands'.

I will be picking my wire wheels up from them next weekend and will ask about the rim tape. I thought they said it was applied in two places in two different widths.
 
Sorry, I don't have any photographs.

The British Wire Wheel rep told me that I should not stretch the tape when wrapping it, but to just wrap it without pulling it too tightly. He said to use two layers, if I remember correctly.
 
My WAG would be the Teflon is less likely to generate heat/wear from frictional effect. The bands were supposed to be powdered with talc to reduce the friction, Teflon or PVC are kinda "self lubricating".

Again... just my WAG.
 
My understanding concerning the bands is the same as the Dr.'s. I'll be sure to ask for confirmation when I pick my wheels up this weekend.

I'm 99% certain that the tires/tubes they are currently replacing on my wheels have duck-tape covering the spokes.
 
Is PVC tape the same as the black electrical tape or is the black stuff made from a diferent plastic? And is there any major problem with just using a good quality duct tape?

I am also putting new tires on some old rims, and being new to this game, am interested in any suggestions.

thanks......
 
JohnBazzano said:
Is PVC tape the same as the black electrical tape or is the black stuff made from a diferent plastic? And is there any major problem with just using a good quality duct tape?

I am also putting new tires on some old rims, and being new to this game, am interested in any suggestions.

thanks......
Click to expand...

The British Wire Wheel rep was very insistant upon using only PVC tape. From this I assume that it must be different from electrical tape, but I can't tell you how it is different.

He very strongly said NOT to use duct tape. I think that this is because duct tape becomes hard with age and will chafe the tube.
 
Twosheds said:
He very strongly said NOT to use duct tape. I think that this is because duct tape becomes hard with age and will chafe the tube.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply in my last post that duck tape was acceptable. The folks at Hendrix nodded when I told them that duck tape was probably what they'd find on my rims. However, they also said that duck tape was not a good choice... only slightly better than nothing.
 
right. Duct tape is BAD! I've seen old wheels where DPOs have used it and the tape "melts" into the nipple area. -Probably due to the adhesive failing. Use PVC or Rubber only!
 
Duct tape will decompose kinda quick. Gets gooey first then brittle and dry. I'd use the rubber band & talc with little concern but PVC tape for sure. Regular "electrical tape" will slip, shrink, goo and generally make a mess too.
 
FWIW -- When I picked up a roll of PVC tape to do this (Ace Hardware) they had both 10 mil and 20 mil. Went with the 20 mil of course -- must be twice as good (was twice as expensive).

I used powder as well as the slick tape -- was careful to get a brand that was talc -- many now have corn starch which is likely good on a baby's behind but not in my baby's tires.
 
Can anyone tell please me where to purchase the PVC tape to wrap around my wire wheels in order to cover the spokes. I've gone to several hardware stores and they are not familiar with it. Do I have to go to a plumbing supply store? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Art
 
You could contact the folks at Hendrix Wire Wheel. They have a web site where you will find contact information. They will sell you rolls of the tape they use.
 
As I noted, they had it at Ace Hardware. Maybe they just don't recognize it by 'PVC Tape' as it does not say that on the roll. It's a big wide roll, shiny black tape with white letters: "Christy's 20ML".
 
Got my PVC tape from my local Ace hardware store. They knew exactly what I wanted when I explained what it was for. As I recall it was 20 mil.
 
Well I finally found it out in the barn.

It wasn't 20 but rather 10 mil and it's called "Ace Pipe Wrap -
anti corrosion". Come 2" x 36 yards and stock no 47097.
Made by Henkel Corp. and labeled on the tape as PVC, not on the package.

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks everyone. I plan on going to my local Ace Hardware tomorrow and seeing if they have any Christy's Pipewrap Tape in 20ml. I see that it comes in 2" width. Thanks again.

Art
 
Back
Top