wraps coming off

[wingnut]

I fletched some arrows last week and used some wraps that I've had for a few years.  I noticed  this weekend at the shoot that they were coming off.  Anybody have this problem.  Do wraps have a shelf  life?

Mike

[mec lineman]

If they are like fletching tape yes. At one time I use reflective white wraps, they are the absolute damness to get off. I now use vinyl wraps in solid colors.

[wingnut]

It's weird as I've had arrows with these for years and they are hard to get off.  The glue must go bad in the pack is they are not used.

Mike

[ChuckC]

I have had trouble with a couple packs last year.  Peeling off, feathers and all.  Prior to that, no problems.   Hope this new bunch holds up.

[Hermon]

This is from the Onestringer website:

Q:  What is the shelf life of these products?

A:  The vinyl we use has a shelf life of 2 years.  This means you can order them and keep them on the shelf for up to 2 years.

[wingnut]

Well that answers it.  These  are more the 5 yrs old.  Looks like I will be doing them over.

Mike

[JRY309]

I have bought old wraps off the big auction site before,the package looked old and some of them did come unwrapped.What I would do is to put on the wraps and let them sit for a few days to a week to see if they would hold before wasting my feathers on them.I also would wipe the wraps with a damp cloth and clean the shafts with alcohol.It would help some but not always.

[the rifleman]

Craig,  I had the same experience with a red reflective wrap--- I destroyed the carbon arrow it was on in the process.  Like the idea of reflective, but won't use them again.  This was not a Onestringer wrap--- theirs may not have this issue-- great company and great people.

[The Whittler]

Clean your shafts before you put the wraps on and make sure you do not touch the shaft where the wrap goes.

Oil from your hands/fingers will mess up the wrap from getting a good contact. If you already know this then disregard.

[ChuckC]

Mine stuck to the shaft, it unwrapped from itself, where it overlaps.

[M60gunner]

Bummer, I know I have wraps over two years old.

[old_goat2]

I always run a thin bead of FT Platinum down the seam. Haven't ever had one come up since I started that!

[Lowrider]

Never had one come off. Good to hear about the 2 year shelf life. Learn something new everyday.

[cacciatore]

Like most I clean the shaft with acetone and then I turn the shaft on the fletcher in a way that the feather runs on the junction so the glue bonds the wrap and it can't come loose

[cacciatore]

Sometimes is also the cold temperature that ruins the  glue so in the winter I set the wraps nearby a source of heat for a day.

[Orion]

Hmmm.  Never thought wraps might have a shelf life.  I have wraps on some hunting arrows that are at least 5 years old.  Been through rain, snow, freezing temps, even some pretty hot weather.  They're still sound, but now I'm worried. Would hate to have them fall apart when I'm on an out-of-state hunt.

Yes sir, I leaned some time ago that they'll come loose beginning at the seam.  I now try to put one fletch over as much of the seam as possible, then run a fine bead of NPV down the remaining visible seam.  I suppose any other good vinyl based adhesive would work as well.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Orion:
Hmmm.  Never thought wraps might have a shelf life.  I have wraps on some hunting arrows that are at least 5 years old.  Been through rain, snow, freezing temps, even some pretty hot weather.  They're still sound, but now I'm worried. Would hate to have them fall apart when I'm on an out-of-state hunt.

I think the shelf life thing is when they are in the package. If your's have stuck to the shafts that long, I doubt you would have an issue...unless it is in trying to remove them.    :eek:

[the rifleman]

Ever get in an old 60s or 70s car that has that greasy patina on the windows?  That's the gas that comes off the vinyl upholstery as it breaks down over time.  Don't really know what this has to do with anything-- sometimes I just type what's in my head...