Heat-Shrinking Polyethylene Adhesive Tape for Shrink Wrap (50 mm / 96 mm Widths)

This self-adhesive polyethylene tape is specially formulated for use with heat-shrink wrap film, commonly employed in winterizing boats, yachts, and in industrial packaging. The tape serves several critical purposes: it joins separate sheets of shrink film, seals seams and openings, and allows quick repair of any tears or punctures in the cover – all while shrinking in unison with the film when heated to form a tight, durable bond.

Key properties and uses:

• Joining Film Sections: When wrapping a larger boat, you often need multiple sheets of shrink film. This tape (especially the wider 96 mm version) is used to bond overlapping edges of two film pieces. Simply apply half the tape on one sheet and half on the adjacent sheet (with about a 5–10 cm overlap of film underneath), and it will hold them together. After heat is applied and the wrap shrinks, this seam becomes strong and tight, nearly as solid as the continuous film itself.
• Sealing & Closure: Once the boat is wrapped, you’ll need to seal off all openings and edges (e.g., around the transom, along the gunwale, or where the wrap is cut). The narrower 50 mm tape is perfect for sealing the perimeter of the shrink wrap – for example, along the hull sides or at overlap areas. It provides a watertight closure that prevents rain or wind from getting under the cover. You can also use the tape to attach zipper access doors or vent flanges to the shrink film – it holds these accessories securely in place on the plastic.
• Repairing Damage: If the shrink wrap gets a hole or a cut during installation or while in storage, this tape acts as a “patch.” Dry the area and stick a piece of tape over the hole (preferably rounding the corners of the tape patch). For extra strength on larger tears, apply tape on both inside and outside of the film if accessible. The tape is sufficiently thick and strong to reinforce the damaged area and prevent the tear from spreading.
• Shrinks with the Film: A key feature of this tape is that it’s made of the same type of material as the shrink cover – polyethylene that shrinks under heat. When you heat the shrink wrap with your propane heat gun during installation, the tape shrinks at the same rate as the surrounding film. This means it won’t peel off or wrinkle separately; instead, the seam or patch you’ve created stays tight and smooth once heat is applied. The adhesive is engineered to withstand the heat-shrink process – it won’t melt into a mess or lose its grip during the brief high-temperature exposure.
• Strength and Durability: Once cooled, the tape forms a very strong bond. It’s designed to handle winter weather conditions – heavy rain, wind, snow, temperature fluctuations – without coming loose. The tape is UV-resistant, so it won’t deteriorate or turn brittle under sun exposure (important if your wrapped boat sits outside). Its surface is tough and abrasion-resistant, so wind won’t easily wear it through on sharp edges. It’s also chemically resistant – unaffected by oils, fuels, or cleaning solutions it might encounter during storage.
• Ease of Use: The tape is self-adhesive with a peel-off backing – just peel and stick. For best results, apply in conditions above about 5°C, on a dry, clean surface (free of dust and grease) – this ensures the adhesive grabs optimally. It can be easily cut to length with scissors or a utility knife. The wider 96 mm tape gives you more coverage and tolerance when aligning big seams, while the 50 mm tape is easier to handle for fine details and smaller repairs.

Variants and Recommendations for Use:

• 50 mm width (Osculati code 46.186.00): 33 m roll. Ideal for the routine tasks – sealing edges of the shrink film, small seams, minor patch jobs. It’s convenient for working around tight corners and complex shapes due to its manageability.
• 96 mm width (Osculati code 46.186.01): 55 m roll. At nearly double the width, this tape covers more area – perfect for joining two large sheets of film along the entire length of a boat or reinforcing high-stress zones (for example, around the bow or windshield areas where the film has to stretch more). It allows faster application on big boats since fewer strips are needed to cover a seam.

Many professional marine wrapping teams use a combination of both widths: the narrow tape for detail work and the wide tape for long, straight seams.

With this heat-shrink tape, your shrink-wrap cover can be made completely sealed and secure, ready to protect your boat all season long. Without well-taped seams, wind can sneak under the cover and potentially cause it to tear or lift – so it’s wise not to skimp on tape for the critical areas. Our tape is cost-effective and comes in generous roll lengths, ensuring one roll will typically handle one boat (depending on size) with some to spare for any unexpected repairs.

Whether you’re a professional yard worker wrapping multiple yachts or a boat owner doing it yourself, heat-shrink polyethylene tape is a must-have in your winterization toolkit. It ensures that once your plastic cover is in place, it stays intact and snug, providing reliable protection against the elements for your valuable asset.