Lead tape gets messed up while stringing

[yaha21]

whenever i string my racquet and put the racquet on the machine the lead tape that i placed at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock always gets messed up [it gets squished up]. im using a dropweight gamma machine.

any way i can fix this? maybe take off the lead tape then put it back on after strining? will it still have its stickiness?

[spin-head]

Dont you place your lead tape under the grommet on 12 o'clock on place another one underneath the bridge?

[slowfox]

I just put new lead tape each time I restring. New strings, new lead...

[quest01]

Yes I've had this issue with my stringer too when I used lead tape at the 12. Fortunately for me I decided on switching the lead from the 12 oclock position to the 3 and 9 which ended up improving my game. When I did have lead at the 12, there was really nothing I could do about it because it was a 2 point mounting system that interfered with the lead. So before mounting the frame, I'd remove the lead and after finishing I would apply a new layer or use the existing lead.

[Steve Huff]

I've strung rackets that people have applied lead at 12 and 6 and never had a problem. I have a 6-point mounting system on mine, but the supports at 12 and 6 still come in contact with the lead tape. Have you tried Babolat lead tape. Maybe it sticks better.

[coolblue123]

sometimes I get pretty particular on where I put my lead as well. I know its just mental but sometimes I prefer to have put lead on the outside edge of my sticks as well. I just use either athletic tape or electrical tape to cover the lead. it serves as protection from exposure, especially from the little ones in the family and avoids flying away especially if I remove and reapply. also, this serves as protection from stringers as well. only con is that athletic tape can throw off the weight (even its by a very small amt)

[yaha21]

I dont wanna put on athletic or electrical tape on top of it. im very anal about my rackets lol and the weight and stuff lol. and putting on new lead every restring is gonna be costly coz i string often :/ it sucks because my stringer is a two point mounting system. i think im just gonna do what spin head said and just put the lead underneath the grommet. i dont see any other solution to it :/

[slowfox]

3 bucks for 6 feet of lead tape.

[TBZ]

Just make a gap in the middle like this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...n/DSC00120.jpg

[UCSF2012]

At 12 o'clock, put it outside the frame, either on the headguard (you hit the court at 10/2 oclock anyway) or put it under the headguard, sandwiched in between.

At 6 oclock, put it on the outer rim.

Or put 2 strips on ONE side of the racket. Symmetry doesn't matter. Two on one side = one on each side.

[Povl Carstensen]

Originally Posted by TBZ

Just make a gap in the middle like this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...n/DSC00120.jpg

Second this.

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

Or put 2 strips on ONE side of the racket. Symmetry doesn't matter. Two on one side = one on each side.

Really? Your mean right/left symmetry?

[dadozen]

Originally Posted by TBZ

Just make a gap in the middle like this:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...n/DSC00120.jpg

This. The easiest way to save the trouble of lead tape @ 12 during stringing.

[TennisCJC]

1. Once completely satisfied with location and amount, have new bumper/grommet installed and move the tape under the bumper at noon. 1/4 tape should fit nicely and be invisible and protected from damage by stringing. You cannot "reuse" grommets, so you will need a new grommet.
2. Or, use the gap method, where you leave a gap for the mounts of your stringing maching.

You cannot reuse lead tape either as it usually gets pretty mangled in the removal process.

[yaha21]

So if I do what TBZ suggested and leave space for the mounts would it still play the same as if it were one whole strip or will the "space" mess up the weight distribution?

[Hi I'm Ray]

I took it off at first but it started ripping off a bit of the paint which wasn't worth it so I just left it on. I simply flattened the lead tape out with a pen after stringing and it looked normal again. I only had to flattened it out once, it hasn't budged after the first time. I've only got 4 inch strips at 12 so splits looks weird. Gamma 6pt mount.

Originally Posted by yaha21

So if I do what TBZ suggested and leave space for the mounts would it still play the same as if it were one whole strip or will the "space" mess up the weight distribution?

lol