Fletch tape

[MnFn]

I was wondering what the shelf life of fletch tape is.  I have a partial roll that is  three or four years old. Still good or should I replace it?

[Tim Finley]

It doesnt work in our cold wheather....Tim

[LookMomNoSights]

Oooooh  fletch tape!  Lots of people use it, love it, swear by it.   I am NOT one of them!  Used 1 roll of it....liked working with it and how it went on.  I took all steps in regards to prep for good adhesion .... wasnt impressed with its performance.  Maybe I got a bad roll.  Either way, I quickly went back to Platinum glue. "If it aint broke...."
Not sure if Id chance the older tape my friend,  may want to get some new stuff.

[SlowBowinMO]

Fletch tape does have a shelf life.  If it's that old I'd recommend you replace it for optimum results.

[MnFn]

Thanks for the help.

Tim, I still want to get over and try a couple of your bows.  This spring weather is not been cooperating however.
Thanks again,
Gary

[ChuckC]

Yeah, any tape has a shelf life.  Pitch it and get new stuff.  I always use the stuff and have found it works well for me, hot or cold, rain or shine.
ChuckC

[thunder1]

I have a roll that's three years old and just replaced it. I was fletching some new arrows and found it was not doing the job.

[Downtime]

I have a roll of tape that I have been using for over 3 years.  I keep it in a sealed bag out and out of the sun.  I Like tape.  Cleaned arrow shafts before using tape holds up well in cold weather

[CRS]

Use it, worst case scenario you might have to refletch some arrows.

But my results with fletch tape are not positive, I went back to glues.

[TDHunter]

I always find this interesting as I've never had a feather come off since I started using fletch tape. I could never even think of going back to glues.
I use glue to dab on the front and back of the feather but that's it!!

[sweet old bill]

I find if you keep it in the old ice box it lasts for years. But like others said if it is over 3 to 4 years old I am sure it maybe not the same as a new roll...

[jcar315]

Originally posted by Braveheart Archery:
Fletch tape does have a shelf life.  If it's that old I'd recommend you replace it for optimum results.

Well said and it was also mentioned to store it in the refrigerator as well.....this really helps. Bohning is the only brand I use.

[Knawbone]

I don't know about that old, but I use tape on my woodies and use duco on the ends of fletch. Never have a problem with wipe on poly or water based poly. Don't use the ultimate poly high gloss as a finish. Never used it on carbon, so can't comment as to it's hold.

[Steelhead]

I agre fletch tape has a shelf life and old fletch tape wont work bearly as well as newer fletch tape.

I dont know what the shelf life is.
reasonably newer fletch tape is superb in my experience!

I have used some rolls that were were pretty old with less desirable results.

[Phil Magistro]

I remember years ago (maybe mid 90s) seeing a guy from New York at a longbow shoot here in PA selling this fletching tape.  It was his invention and it sure looked like a solution to a non-existent problem to me.  Couldn't figure he's ever strike it rich with that product.

A couple of years later I tried the tape and was impressed.  Then Bohning bought it and gave it legitimacy.  Today it's almost all that I use.  Early on I had trouble with some feathers folding over in high heat but haven't had problems since then.  I just finishing up with some that I bought over three years old and it works just fine.

[Spookeytooth]

Fletch tape is the way to go, just replace it yearly, prep your shafts like your going to paint them( no oily fingerprints, scuff) and dab glue front and back

[CRS]

These threads are always interesting to me.  Especially the guys that will not go back to glues.  I did all the careful prep work, glue front and back, and still had problems with the tape.

I have glued fletching that is still holding tight after close to 20 years.  The feathers are worn but they are not close to loosing from the shaft.

[arrow flynn]

Used it for years then had some problems.it was probably some old tape I had. Went to platinum and will stay with it.

[Bladepeek]

I like One Stringer wraps on my carbons and have found the tape works great for me. A dab of superglue front and back and I have not had one loosen yet. Ducco or FletchTite Platinum does not work well with the wraps - seems to eat holes in them.

[mahantango]

Been using fletch tape exclusively for over 15 years and the only time I ever had a problem was with an old roll (3+ years). Just dug up a Carbon Express yesterday that has been buried in the ground behind my targets for 18 months. The feathers are disintegrated but the quill is still taped tight.