How to keep lead tape stuck on racquet?

[JackB1]

I have a ton on lead tape but its old and has lost some of it's "stickiness". Are there any tricks to re-sticking it on the racquet? Also some racquets have a slick paint surface that makes it tough to get the lead tape to stick. I typically put it at the 3/9 position.
I wonder if some double sided scotch tape would work? I'm worried it might mess up the finnish when I eventually have to remove it. Yes I know the easy solution
is to just buy some new lead tape, but I have a ton of this this stuff and it would be great to be able to reuse it somehow. Thanks!

 

[taylor15]

I put electrical tape over mine to keep it in place. I trim the electrical tape with a razor knife so it’s just wider but doesn’t come over the side of the frame. Keeps it in place pretty well

 

[JackB1]

I thought of that, but electrical tape isn't very sticky and I thought it would come off eventually. I guess I can try that. That doesn't really add any more weight, right?

I put electrical tape over mine to keep it in place. I trim the electrical tape with a razor knife so it’s just wider but doesn’t come over the side of the frame. Keeps it in place pretty well

 

[georgeyew]

Some people use gorilla tape. Apparently it stays on until you want to remove it.

 

[taylor15]

I thought of that, but electrical tape isn't very sticky and I thought it would come off eventually. I guess I can try that. That doesn't really add any more weight, right?

It doesn’t, at least not in the amount I use. I’ll snap a pic if my setup for reference in just a bit

 

[eshin213]

If it's at 3 & 9 you can place the lead under the headguard the next time you string the racquet

 

[taydbear7]

Tecnifibre makes the best lead tape imo. It almost like a sticker where it stays on really well and easy to removed when you want to.

 

[JackB1]

Which type? And they put it over the lead tape?

Some people use gorilla tape. Apparently it stays on until you want to remove it.

 

[TagUrIt]

You HAVE to clean the surface with rubbing alcohol first or else it won’t stay. Also when I used to customize, I would use tungsten tape. TennisWarehouse sells it and it works very well.

 

[SeeBallHitFence]

The technifibre 2g stickers have worked well for me, even to remove and replace.

 

[JustTennis76]

Tungsten tape from TW is way stickier than regular lead tape but it's also very dense and weighs more per inch. In my experience, the first time you use the lead tape, it sticks very well to the whatever paint of the frame may offer. It's when you remove it and try to stick it back, it loses it's tackiness and falls off. Installing under the grommet is almost a permanent fix and I would not recommned unless you are absolutely sold on having it there and don't want to remove. We don't change grommets often. just my $.02

 

[Papa Mango]

Some people use gorilla tape. Apparently it stays on until you want to remove it.

It stays on even when I am trying to remove it

 

[1990's Graphite]

I use thin finishing tape like the stringers do stays on always. Otherwise tw tungsten is goat.

 

[JackB1]

I use thin finishing tape like the stringers do stays on always. Otherwise tw tungsten is goat.

What exactly is "finishing tape"? never heard of that before.

 

[JackB1]

You HAVE to clean the surface with rubbing alcohol first or else it won’t stay. Also when I used to customize, I would use tungsten tape. TennisWarehouse sells it and it works very well.

Thanks! I forgot about that important step!

 

[Irvin]

What exactly is "finishing tape"? never heard of that before.

The tape used to hold overwraps and grips when you finish wrapping them on the handle.

 

[JackB1]

The tape used to hold overwraps and grips when you finish wrapping them on the handle.

Gotcha.

 

[joah310]

Would blasting it with a hair dryer contribute to it being held on longer? Mine seem to come off pretty easily

 

[HitMoreBHs]

Would blasting it with a hair dryer contribute to it being held on longer? Mine seem to come off pretty easily

It's worth a try. Generally, softening of adhesive before application leads to stronger bonding since the adhesive interface will contour better into the surface irregularities (think microscopic level). Also worth blasting any longstanding tape with heat prior to removal to soften the adhesive and reduce the risk of inadvertant decal/paint stripping.