Deck tape

[Paul75Participant @paul75]

Hello Everyone.

Can anyone recommend a good quality adhesive tape that will nicely seal the flush deck of my HMS Duke of York against heavy weather water ingress? I understand many model yacht owners use this type of tape to seal deck hatches.

A clear tape about 10mm in width which'll leave minimal residue when removed is what I'm after. I've read that freezer tape is suitable but the 3M stuff is hard to come by and a little wide.

Many thanks,

Paul.

[Paul75Participant @paul75]

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Chaps at the pond use ordinary "Diamond" clear sellotape mostly. Residue is not normally an issue as long as the tape is not left on there for days.

Sometimes it is unavoidable to have flush deck hatches but (and this depends on what is underneath),I have used the partition method..whereby there are watertight bulkheads ether side of the hatch, so that water can be allowed to drip in but will go nowhere and can just be sucked or sponged out now and then. I would not want to build a great model and have to stick tape everywhere to seal it up…however,, as I said, it depends on whats underneath, just as a suggestion.

Ashley

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Hello Paul,

I use the 3M tape and any of the clear "gaffer" type waterproof tapes. I stick a length onto a cutting mat, then using a new scalpel blade, cut strips along the long length to the required width, then cross cut to the required length and peel from the mat.

Two things. 1. By peeling from the mat the initial strong tack/stick is reduced when you apply the strip to the model. Leave a long end that can be folded over to itself about 3 – 5 mm. This forms a handle to peel the tape off, else you'll be poking about with a point or blade tip and scratch the paint surface trying to lift the edge to get a grip.

2. Ensure that where you are using the tape it is well varnished/sealed etc. Matt of gloss, doesn't matter, but don't put to paint only. And a tip, remove the tape after use, do not leave on for days. [Same applies to masking tape – which is definitely not suitable for sealing over deck joints.]

I've used gaffer tapes of all colours on r/c yachts which, in a blow, are under water almost continuously when sailing, and it works. In fact, Halfords have a brand that sticks to wet surfaces and is water proof too. Cheaper tapes exist, but test first, some bleed their colour too.

Aye, Kimmo

[Paul75Participant @paul75]

Thanks chaps.

To be fair, water ingress isn't really a major problem with my model when I sail her on my club lake because it is usually fairly calm. However, I plan to go further afield to larger lakes where the water is less sheltered and likely to be rougher. The KGV class of battleships were historically very "wet" and my boat is susceptible to this trait also even though she has about 3 inches of freeboard at the bow.

The removable flush deck on my DoY is about 3 feet long by 6 inches wide which I like because it allows great access to the working parts inside. One of the items on my "to do" list is to work out a method to secure the deck with a watertight seal but, for the time being, I'll be content to expedite a solution by using tape. For the long term solution I was trying to avoid using the screw-down method because of the resulting pondside faff. In time I'm sure I'll be approaching your good selves for advice on the matter!

Thanks again,

Paul.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

magnets, squire…. you can get some very strong and small ones to exert a good hold-down force on the deck, which could sit on a thin neoprene "gasket"….? or some of that strip magnetic tape to provide a continuous flange magnetic seal…?

Ashley

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