snobbyafghan Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 The questions is in the title really. But there's a follow-on. If they are not the same, which would be the most useful for such things as on-site repairs to awnings and other temporary/bodged repairs that have to be carried out to vans and ancillary equipment whilst out and about? Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Yep - same thing. I believe there are different types of Duct tape ( in different colours) available for different uses, although the most common is silver/grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackerman Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 It is also known as Elephant Tape. I believe that the name Gaffer Tape came about as the tape was widely used on film (and TV) sets by the lighting crew to secure their cables, and certain members of this crew are known as Gaffers - take a look at the credits at the end of the next film that you view. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonflyer Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hi Doug Another tape I find extremely useful to have with me is UV greenhouse repair tape, a clear tape same width at Duct(k) tape. Excellent for windows, protecting labels, and covering over paint chips until they can be attended to properly. Joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hi not heard of the greenhouse tape before, but it sounds like a usefull bit of kit. Where is it available ? B&Q etc or is it only from garden centers? Thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Duct tape and Gaffer tape are the same, I know it as gaffer tape as I used to manage a theatre and know it from there. There are different qualities of tape though, depending on where you buy it/what make it is. We've bought it from car boot sales, 'proper' shops, etc, etc and the last roll we bought was the silver/grey one from a car boot sale which is a very good quality one and sticks like ... er ... tape! Some aren't as tacky and come off easily and can be a pain when trying to tear a piece off. You can usually tell which is the better quality as it is a bit thicker and doesn't appear to have such a smooth a pattern on the surface. The rolls are usually black or silver/grey, we could buy different coloured ones for the theatre, they were a bit pricier but did the same job - they just meant that when marking the stage out for placement of scenery, standing points etc, the 'actors' could have their own colours. You don't have to pay a lot for it to be good, similarly, you can pay a lot and get a rubbish one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersonCampervan Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Technically, gaffer tape makes the claim that it will not damage the surface to which it adheres (eg., it shouldn't pull the piant off a wall). Duct tape makes no such claim. When we owned a video production company, we would pay the premium for product labelled as gaffer tape, but after a few years resorted to the more economical duct tape. Whether there is a true difference, or a meketing difference only, I can't say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersonCampervan Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Technically, gaffer tape makes the claim that it will not damage the surface to which it adheres (eg., it shouldn't pull the piant off a wall). Duct tape makes no such claim. When we owned a video production company, we would pay the premium for product labelled as gaffer tape, but after a few years resorted to the more economical duct tape. Whether there is a true difference, or a marketing difference only, I can't say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffersonCampervan Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Technically, gaffer tape makes the claim that it will not damage the surface to which it adheres (eg., it shouldn't pull the paint off a wall). Duct tape makes no such claim. When we owned a video production company, we would pay the premium for product labelled as gaffer tape, but after a few years resorted to the more economical duct tape. Whether there is a true difference, or a marketing difference only, I can't say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonflyer Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hi Mike I cannot remember where I bought our last reel. It is likely that I bought it from our local hardware store, but as we live in the sticks they sell everything for small scale farming too - not quite the same as B&Q! I am sure it is available in DIY type places and I expect garden centres too. We are on our third roll, but then we have been using it for more than 20 years. Joyce NB: It is also brilliant at keeping the water out if you puncture the skin of your motorhome !! Oh dear ..... yes I could see it but the OH is deaf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 In HM Forces going back many years the tape was known as 'Jungle Tape' Originally only black available now I believe they can get it in a brown and black mixture as a camouflage colour. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 dragonflyer - 2008-06-11 9:38 PM NB: It is also brilliant at keeping the water out if you puncture the skin of your motorhome !! Oh dear ..... yes I could see it but the OH is deaf. Unfortunately I can testify to that fact! :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonflyer Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Hi Mel B I was very sorry to read about your heart wrenching episode in The Netherlands. We were there last year and encountered no problems at all. We find the Dutch are phlegmatic, not at all like being in Israel. The tape I was suggesting to Mike is the UV greenhouse tape, which is is invisible unless close to. I kept three reels of tape, one of which matched the old MH. The new MH being silver I only need two. Reading items in the forum I realise how long we have been camping and need to resist the temptation to preach. Joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myshell Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Just to confuse things a little, NO, Duct tape and Gaffer tape are not the same, we use Duct tape in the central heating game to make airtight seals on the inside of central heating boiler flue ducts and around the closure plates of gas fires, the tape has to be able to withstand the temperature inside the flue without the adhesion quality deteriorating or the tape scorching or catching fire, hence the coating of aluminium on the tape, (please note that due to this aluminium coating, duct tape must not be used for repairing damaged electrical cables) Gaffer tape on the other hand does not have the same coating, and if used in the same type of environment the "sticky side" will dry out allowing the tape to be peeled off easily just leaving the hardened sticky residue on the fire surround or inside the flue duct, in extreme circumstances it has been known to burn, not only giving off a very nasty smell, but more importantly compromising the airtight seal on the flue and allowing CO fumes to escape into the wall cavity. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snobbyafghan Posted June 15, 2008 Author Share Posted June 15, 2008 Phil Interesting... So, is gaffer tape sold as gaffer tape or does it have a more official name? Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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