Marking Gear

[Fox]

Hey all

Just starting to build up my rack and I know marking my gear is key to keeping it around. Just wondering if standard old coloured electrical tape from Canadian Tire does the trick? Or is it more benneficial to use some kind of specific gear tape? Just want to make sure I'm doing things right to keep my gear safe and lasting a long time.

Thanks

Fox

[martha]

Never use Black tape to mark your gear as that is used to mark 'unsafe' gear. You can buy colored electrical tape or special tape from MEC. I think that the electrical tape is gooier/sticker than the stuff we get at MEC. but I'm not positive on that.

Check out your friends and climbing partners racks and try to use a color combo that they aren't using.

[The Mitt]

I find that the tape does not last. I use nail polish it lasts longer.

[Fred]

I use nail polish it lasts longer.

you do eh?! hehe

[The Mitt]

As soon as I wrote that I knew I would be getting a sarcastic comment. LOL

[martha]

I find that the tape does not last. I use nail polish it lasts longer.

Do you use the quick dry and Anti chip stuff?

the tape lasts okay if you put it where the gear gets little wear agains the rope/rock. I usually get a couple of seasons out of it, though it is pretty mangled by the time I fix it.

[STeveA]

A few climbers have used nail polish over the years so you might want to start another post about color coordination. It would be really embarrassing to show up at the cliff witht he same color polish! I think Joey has been known to use purple, but I may be mistaken.

[Shawn B]

I attach the fake glue on nails...then apply the nail polish to that and it lasts much longer. The only pain is when you chip one of the nails. On the other hand, it is nice to have extra nails to bite when you are run out and nervous.

But really...I just started using the coloured duct tape. Use a utility knife to cut it into narrow strips on the roll and you can get about 6 strips/width of duct tape...in other words it will last forever. Seems to be more durable than electrical tape although i haven't climbed with the newly marked gear yet.

[granite_grrl]

But really...I just started using the coloured duct tape. Use a utility knife to cut it into narrow strips on the roll and you can get about 6 strips/width of duct tape...in other words it will last forever. Seems to be more durable than electrical tape although i haven't climbed with the newly marked gear yet.

I used purple electrical tape and duct tape for a while to mark my gear. Electrical tape eventually just gets kinda crusty and scrapes/chips off. Duct tape kinda scrapes/ozes off, leaving a lot more residue and making more of a mess.

[Fred]

I engrave mine with three dimples using a 1/8" drill press. Is that ok?

this is a joke

[The Mitt]

I know someone who used a file and scored 2 lines in the metal. Scarry SOB

[Matt Peck]

nail polish.

[chossmonkey]

But really...I just started using the coloured duct tape. Use a utility knife to cut it into narrow strips on the roll and you can get about 6 strips/width of duct tape...in other words it will last forever. Seems to be more durable than electrical tape although i haven't climbed with the newly marked gear yet.

I used purple electrical tape and duct tape for a while to mark my gear. Electrical tape eventually just gets kinda crusty and scrapes/chips off. Duct tape kinda scrapes/ozes off, leaving a lot more residue and making more of a mess.

Duct tape also seems to get hung up on slings and feels bulkier too. And the goo it leaves when coming off just isn't worth it.

I find a roll of electrical tape lasts me a very long time even marking a mountain of gear. If you get good quality stuff it stays on pretty good unless it gets ground over the rock. Even then it normally stays on for quite a while.


Something else I have seen used is electrical shrink tape. It is very durable but can be tough to find in the color you are looking for and costs a lot more than electrical tape.