Hi List

I have found something more efficient to protect boots other than covers..THE SK8TAPES.

Of course, if I can get some help from other users it would be easier for me to decide whether or not I'd add them to my "must have" list.

Pls let me know if you use them and in this case, your opinion.

Don't the Sk8tapes get sticky and hard to remove from the boots in tropical places?
Pls...skaters from AR, FL and TX should know what I mean.

I would like to protect my boots more effectively...on the top...we can create some very nice effects and even logos.

Since I haven't the chance to deal with it, maybe someone out there could give me a hint?

Thanks a lot

Hey Zerio -

I've used the clear tape with very little problem. The only thing you have to do is CHANGE THE TAPE at least monthly so the glue doesn't start to stick permanently and the boot doesn't start growing mold.

Check out this old thread - it has some clever ideas.

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Thanks Isk8NYC

Perhaps here I shall change every 3 weeks then...its hot and humid.

Ill search for best deals.then,

Thanks

My fitter says that she removes residue with WD-40. I'm sure you can find equivalent sorts of solvents about anywhere. After the residue is removed, she then puts some beeswax onto the leather to restore lost moisture.

Although it might not look too pretty, you can get away with leaving the tape on for months and months - there's a guy who skates at one of my rinks who's had the same tape on his Klingbeils since he bought them YEARS ago. It looks pretty shoddy now as it's coming off in a lot of places, but is an easy enough thing to clean up with a little effort.

I personally don't use the tape because I like the way the leather looks without it. I have numerous cuts on my boots, but I don't mind that...I'm weird like that. If I get another pair one day maybe I'll tape them but for now I don't mind the "battle scars"

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I had problems with the skate tape: I strive for "neat feet" eg, touching my boots together between each step in moves whenever possible. Skate tape doesn't slide on skate tape, it grabs making it difficult to slide the boots across each other, especially a problem in mohawks and scratch spins and once gave me a face plant on cross strokes
Lyle

I just bought a roll of white electrical tape from the hardware store for ~ $3 and used that. It worked just as well and left about the same amount of sticky residue as Sk8Tape does, but for a fraction of the cost.

I too was thinking about the electrical tape...if you dont mind to PM the brand Id appreciate it, so I could compare with Sk8tapes.

Do you also cover the tongue ( I mean the area below the lace)? Its hard to wrap the tape on it.

What do you use to remove the residues without harming the leather , clarino, koprino ? I know there are some products that will do more harm than if I left the boots with no protection.

Thank you all.


NAMASTE

Zerio

The last time I bought new skates, a beginner student kicked my boot and cut them before they were an hour old. That's when I bought the tape, which really helped ward off other cuts and scratches. Until I stopped taping my skates.

First, make sure you polish the boots. A good shoe leather polish will work well.
In the old thread link above, there are some brand recommendations.

The glue residue comes off with rubbing alcohol pretty easily.
(BTW, that's how to get rid of bandage adhesive on your skin, too.)

If you use rubbing alcohol, you must polish your skates again since it also removes the polish and sheen.
You'd want to clean the skates and polish them before putting on new tape anyway.

Why don't you give electrician's tape a try first, since it's available locally and it's less expensive?
You may not like having your boots taped, so it's an inexpensive way to experiment.
Here in the US, 3M is one of the better brands. Just go to the hardware store.

I never taped the tongue of the skates - just the toe and midstep area.
I mainly wanted protection from falls, lunges and clumsy students.

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Wasn't sk8tape invented by a skater (I think pairs or a dancer), to help fund their training? If that's still the case, I'd buy the brand to help someone continue their training, even if it was more expensive.

What would Ido without this forum!!!! Thanks.

I too had thought about it then when I talked to local shoe professionals they stated that alcohol ruins out the real leather because it can leave markings as it dries out... Ill try in a smal area to check it out Yes,we do have 3M here too.Ill get the widest tape I can get.

Do you also apply on the tongue?

Thank you so much

Zerio

I coulnt find the info here at http://www.sk8tape.com/

BTW , they affirm " NO STICKY RESIDUE is left behind, unlike other tapes "

Ill get both products. I believe I am confident enough that there are real benefits on using tapes whatever they are.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.

Best

Zerio

I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a particular brand to support a single skater unless I knew (or met) them first-hand. Someone on a synchro team, for example, doing fundraising for the season. If I want to support a charity, team or skater, I just write them a check and take it off my taxes. (Rather than letting McDonalds get the tax deduction for the "10% goes to charity" drives.)

Penguin Specialty Products claims to be the inventor of sk8tape. (Very cute website for the penguin lovers, btw.) I didn't see anything about it supporting skaters, although their address is located near a major skating area in New Jersey. It's a private company, so it could be a start-up venture. Good for them, if that's true. They can use the monies their business earns from less-knowledgeable people to fund their skating and I'll use my savings for my family's ice bills.

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Sk8Tape was developed by Charles Sinek. He and his partner Beata Handra went to the Olympics in 2002 in Ice Dance.

I wonder if they're still skating and if they still own the business?

http://deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,70000762,00.html

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Charles Sinek is still involved in the business but I am not sure if he is still skating.

I see Beata when she visits here in the Bay Area. She did mention something about "her husband's business" so I guess he's still in business. (Had no idea at the time that she was who she was until she gave me her business card. )

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Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
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Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Hi-Yes i use skate tape but only in small quantities... I've only recently started using it because my right boot has been nicked up badly from double jumps. The white is gone and all you see is grey leather and nicks from the blade and heel of my crossing over foot. So I layered the area next to the pinky toe with a bunch of skate tape and hopefully it'll hold over till my next pair.

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Did I read that some one had clear sk8tape? if so where can I get some?

I bought clear sk8tape from my rink's pro shop in late 2002. I'd guess it was old back then because it seemed more yellow than clear, but it didn't matter on my old skates. They were beige and that was the only option that wouldn't change the color. Now, they make "Klingbeil Beige" Sk8Tape. LOL

I also used it for leather uniform and patent-leather shoes for my kids. You know how they get all scuffed in the toe from running and tripping? Didn't happen with the tape. Of course, they kept picking it off, which looked even worse.

I've never seen the clear tape since I bought it all those years ago. I could ask the pro shop if you like, but I'm pretty sure they don't make it anymore. Some shops might have some leftovers in inventory that they'd sell.

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I am not sure but at the sk8tape website you may purchase them... if you google youll find some links and have the places where they sell it.

I did find 3M and other tapes here..but they are AWFUL..even 3M leaves more residue and glue that you can imagine and it does not that effective to stick at the boots..maybe due to the product Ive used to polish my beautiful boots..I guess Ill have to import it anyway..maybe I shall get a luggage full of tapes ....

Bye

Thanks
Zerio

!!!!!!!

The small amount of stickiness that Sk8tape leaves can easily be removed with eucalyptus oil. This doesn't damage the surface of the boot at all, and leaves your boot smelling nice (well, if you like that smell, which I don't, but it's better than some of the suggestions here, IMHO.) Bonus is that eucalyptus oil is really cheap and you only need use a dab.

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Karen

I skate - therefore I am

I'm not familiar with eucalyptus oil. Is it really an oil-like substance?

My boots are black suede, and any type of oil would be absorbed & retained.

I have, in the past, used solvents, like naptha, to clean up the outer boots. I doesn't smell too bad, and it dries quickly. Rubbing alcohol might work on certain types of stains & marks.

Standard word of warning; always try a very small area first before plunging ahead with the use of any solvent.

Jon

Its a great idea ... the Eucaliptus( spelling??) oil... no problem here...

And yes,wed better try a very small area first before plunging ahead with the use of any solvent at all times..

Perhaps vaseline ( no odor comes out) and other natural oils such as almond oil can work as well..Ill check that out.

I also use a skin moisture on my boots..its a good thing to treat the shoe skin as well as the tongue spounge to prevent to get sticky.

Great Skating Sunday to yall.

Zerio

by this, do you mean electrician's tape?
because I have just come by some and was wondering...
however, what I've got doesn't look like it would be very easy to peel off.

anyway. what is electric tape?

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Electrical tape is indeed made primarily for electricians. It insulates wires and solder joints (to lessen the chance of electical shorts or shock), and has other uses.

Cheap electrical tape has adhesive that turns gooey after a few years and then "creeps", but good electrical tape like 3M's Scotch Super 33+ maintains a good grip much longer.

I've used it for electrical wiring projects of course, but also for other things that might require a black tape for aesthetic reasons.

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Bill Schneider