Pallet Tape PAIN IN THE ASS

[Inkworks]

I'd say you have the wrong stuff for pallet tape. we just took off pallet tape that was long overdue for changing as it had a really thick mat of felt on top from months of use. heated it up a bit with the flash cures and it came off easily. We do signs so we just use our application tape. Tru-Stock perform Plus application tape. i could leave it on for a year and it'd still come off without much issue. Mind you we're not a 24/7 shop or anything like that.

[mimosatexas]

I'm using the same stuff I've always used without any problems.  TransferRite something or other.  It is the same one that Alan uses I believe.

I have Rtape in the shop as well, but I didn't like it.  It seemed to distort easily when applying my tac, causing air bubbles and wrinkles.  Also shredded when removing if I recall.

[JBLUE]

It could be a combination of the heat and the adhesive starting to break down the surface of the pallet rubber. If the pallet tape roll around too long on the roll in heat it tends to get a little tough to get off.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Double or triple layer the tape on the pallets, since I have done this I have had zero problems replacing the top layer.

[screenxpress]

Acetone, I love that stuff, and in the spot gun as well for plastisol spots on shirts.

And lets not forget the alluring aroma, lol.


Seriously though, that's some toxic stuff.

[Rockers]

I'm using the same stuff I've always used without any problems.  TransferRite something or other.  It is the same one that Alan uses I believe.

I have Rtape in the shop as well, but I didn't like it.  It seemed to distort easily when applying my tac, causing air bubbles and wrinkles.  Also shredded when removing if I recall.

Damn and I though we are the only shop that encounters this pesky problem of getting plenty of air bubbles, especially after applying the glue.
I`m still open for suggestions for the hands down best pallet tape. We used NEwman tape which sucks on an auto, extremly hard to remove and then we have TransferRite tape, don`t ask me which one, and that gets lots of air bubbles.
We actually had to decommission two pallets  as the Newman Tape was not coming off really. Well it did in some areas but the whole process takes too long, so those two pallets are collecting dust for a while now.

[Frog]

I find that pushing out the air bubbles from tapes like the Transfer Rite is not a big deal when done right away before the tape is really set, and of course, before it's sticky with adhesive.
I use a plastic squeegee like used with body filler (and I think even comes with some adhesives)

[Rockers]

No bubbles here unless glue is applied.

[Frog]

No bubbles here unless glue is applied.

I don't see how glue would cause tape that is stuck down to rise up and bubble in spots. My first guess would be that it isn't really stuck down everywhere yet, and those bubbles are just waiting to appear.

[GaryG]

Yeah we use "Conform" tape which is mild in tack and comes off easily without heat.
Apply like you would vinyl on a sign, center out with a plastic vinyl squeegee.
Few small bubbles may need a poke to get air out.

I second the fact if it is stuck, or secured well, there shouldn't be any bubbles showing up.

[Rockers]

No bubbles here unless glue is applied.

I don't see how glue would cause tape that is stuck down to rise up and bubble in spots. My first guess would be that it isn't really stuck down everywhere yet, and those bubbles are just waiting to appear.

You got me there. It`s layered, the tape I mean, but still it should not go bubble nuts.

[Rockers]

Yeah we use "Conform" tape which is mild in tack and comes off easily without heat.
Apply like you would vinyl on a sign, center out with a plastic vinyl squeegee.
Few small bubbles may need a poke to get air out.

I second the fact if it is stuck, or secured well, there shouldn't be any bubbles showing up.

I juts checked the Conform tape, there are different types, there is low, low-medium and high tack. When you say mild tack you mean low? Just asking as I`m really desparate for a tape I can stick right on the pallet and still comes off easily even after printing a few thousand tees on the automatic. You print on an auto or manual press? I never had an issue getting any of or tales of the pallets that are on use on the manual press.

[GaryG]

Hey- this says 4050-RLA

Didn't know it came different tacks.
Thanks for making me look closer.
This one works great if not stretched when applying.

[Rockers]

Wanted to update everyone on this.  I ended up just putting a few layers of tape over the existing crud and printing what I needed to this last week.  It sucked and there were issues with the tape adhering properly over some areas of the crud, but I made it through. 

Today I talked to Kevin at River City Graphics about it and he gave me a sample of the stuff you see below.  Not sure honestly what it is exactly, but it worked instantly and the pallets are pretty close to completely free of crud now, though there are still some spots that just aren't coming off.

I mentioned in my original post about how the adhesive seemed to have bonded to the top layer of the rubber and the second picture is an extreme closeup of what I was talking about when I would try to rub it off.  This area had been cleaned with the Rapid Remover stuff, but the adhesive still would not come off unless I rubbed with my thumb for a while, which led to the top layer rubbing off as you see in the photo.  If I rub a random spot that does not have adhesive with my thumb, I can't get the layer to come off like this.  It only happens where the adhesive has basically bonded to the rubber.  This was happening before I even tried any solvents so it must have been some kind of contamination when I applied the tape originally.  The only thing I can think of that I have used in the past on any tough areas is either a clorox wipe or a paper towel with 701, and neither has caused this issue in the past.  Has anyone else every seen this?  It strikes me as weird...

These pallets were supplied new with my Kruzer from GSG a year and a half ago, and are from Action.  (GSG upgraded the size and I didn't realize until months later that they used Action pallets instead of M&R for the upgrade)

There is an interesting read on the R-Tape website as to what is happening to the glue when it gets hot. Here is the link

http://www.rtape.com/blog-post/removing-rock-hard-tape-adhesive-1

[Rockers]

Hey- this says 4050-RLA

Didn't know it came different tacks.
Thanks for making me look closer.
This one works great if not stretched when applying.

Anyway, you are using the tape on an automatic or a manual press? That makes a lot of a difference at least in our shop.