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Getting flashing tape to stick in cold

| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on January 20, 2005 02:02am

Greetings…

My building supply sent out this kind of flashing tape: http://www.protectowrap.com/cat_btfbt20.php for me to use as window flashing tape.  I’m installing vinyl flanged windows.  I know this is great stuff because I’ve used it before.  The problem is that it doesn’t adhere well in the cold…  I’ve had this problem with other brands as well.

The manufacturer recommends using this primer to help with that problem: http://www.protectowrap.com/cat_ptac.php however no one locally carries this stuff, and I really don’t have the time to wait for a special order.

Q: is there something else I can use to serve the same purpose?  Like maybe rubber cement?  Or, does anyone know any other tricks?  The tape needs to stick to the window flange and the housewrap.

TIA,

Matt
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Replies

  1. MikeSmith | Jan 20, 2005 02:11pm | #1

    matt, we use a heat gun

    Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
  2. studio | Jan 20, 2005 05:30pm | #2

    Try using 3M Super 77 spray adhesive. Spray it on let it tack and make sure to use a roller on the edges. If the windows are vinyl try at all costs to avoid overspray on the face of the windows. I think Vycor is a better product.
    studio

  3. JTC1 | Jan 20, 2005 05:55pm | #3

    Ditto Mike Smith's post. 

    BUT be careful, you can melt the tape / window flanges / housewrap - go carefully and you'll be fine.  An ungloved hand is a good thermometer in the heated zone - getting a little too hot for your hand, it's geting a little too hot for the materials.

    - Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

  4. csnow | Jan 21, 2005 12:53am | #4

    Hair dryer.

  5. User avater
    IMERC | Jan 21, 2005 01:06am | #5

    heat gun or a hair dryer..

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!!   What a Ride!

    1. DavidThomas | Jan 21, 2005 03:05am | #6

      A hair dryer cost $15 and comes with GFCI protection built in.

      A heat gun costs $80 to 125 and can get so hot you scorch wood.  But they look more professional.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

      1. dIrishInMe | Jan 21, 2005 01:23pm | #7

        Wow!!!  You guys always come through!!!  Heatgun/hair dryer - why didn't I think of that!  Ok, I have a cheap heat gun and a hair dryer, but no hair :-), so I can use either...

        The hair dryer might be better since it may be "my boys" doing the heating. 

        One Q:  Can the tape be applied and then heated, or do I have to heat the house wrap & vinyl window surface before applying the tape?  I have the tape inside my house and can probably keep it pretty warm, so that may help. 

        Actually, my lumber salesmen who supplied the BT flashing tape is getting me a can of the spray too.  He had told me that he had never seen/heard of the spray, and that it would be 2 week special order and that he might probably have to order a case, which may not work too well, but then I called the manufacturer who told me that they often send the spray with the tape to distributors - so, salesmen makes some calls and finds out that they have a $hit load of the stuff in their Hillsboro location which is about 45 miles away, and is having a can sent over for me.  Still, I'm a bit concerned about the overspray issue someone raised above, since again, it may be my boys (actually the siding guy's boys) who are doing it, so I may just go with the heat gun/hair dryer deal.  The spray might work well for the doors though in which case the flashing tape will be installed first since the doors do not have nailing flanges.

        Thanks much,Matt

        1. MikeSmith | Jan 21, 2005 02:02pm | #8

          matt, we use the heat gun... if it's cold enough to need heat,   a hair dryer will usually not have enough btus..

           heat the wood surface first.... apply your base flash... heat it up and press it in.. i use the face of my hammer..

          heat the corners.. apply your corners.. stretch and press... after your first window.. you'll know everything there is to knowMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

          1. dIrishInMe | Jan 21, 2005 03:49pm | #9

            Thanks bud.  I will be doing this on Monday...

             Matt

        2. Snort | Jan 22, 2005 02:09am | #14

          Hillsborough, Restoration Woodworks? Don't worry, we can fix that later!

          1. dIrishInMe | Jan 22, 2005 03:42am | #15

            Builder's First Source. Matt

          2. Snort | Jan 22, 2005 04:13am | #16

            Never heard of them, but hey, they're on my new list, thanks. Don't worry, we can fix that later!

          3. dIrishInMe | Jan 22, 2005 06:53am | #17

            They used to be called Goldstons.  I know you have heard of them.  The Hillsboro location may just be a warehouse.  It's now a builder only type setup - no store or anything like that.  Just a competitive bid type place that is geared for bulk orders.

             Matt

      2. User avater
        IMERC | Jan 21, 2005 10:54pm | #10

        get the temp regulated one...

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

      3. User avater
        IMERC | Jan 21, 2005 10:56pm | #11

        piant the HD in flamboyent.. racing stripes aqnd some sogniture decales and yer good to go...

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

        WOW!!!   What a Ride!

        1. DavidThomas | Jan 22, 2005 12:23am | #12

          "paint the hair dryer. . .and yer good to go..."

          Yeah, hair dryers are always white or ivory.  And heat guns are always red/chrome with black accents.

          If Clairol, Panasonic, etc just had a different paint job, would they go for $80?David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Jan 22, 2005 12:26am | #13

            racing stripes would cost a fortune...

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

            WOW!!!   What a Ride!

          2. User avater
            Luka | Jan 22, 2005 09:50am | #18

            Stripes shmipes.Just get Kieth to flame it for you.

            The person you offend today, may have been your best friend tomorrow

          3. dIrishInMe | Feb 03, 2005 05:50am | #19

            Here's a follow up just to close the loop.  I had a heat gun, but someone stole it on site that day before I got to use it... either that, or it is in my truck which is a total mess right now, although the last time I saw it it was in one of the houses - so anyway, I never got a chance to try it.  I did get some of the spray primer for the BT flashing tape, which worked real good, but a ~$17 spray can was not enough to do a whole house (~20 windows) - that and the fact that I wouldn't let the siding guy's helpers (amigos) use it as I did not trust them to use it and not get it on the window frames - which would have been a royal screw... The stuff was a transparent blue color and stickey as h&!!  So, I primed for the ground floor level flashing myself, and for the second floor, I made them wait until the sun was on it enough to warm things up.    We did get some somewhat warm weather.  I think we got the flashing tape on there pretty good and I'm happy with the end result.

             Matt

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