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Permalink Reply by Jamie on May 18, 2011 at 11:09am

When I used duct tape, I would start a tear either in the center or about the 1/3 mark, which made the tape more narrow for easier use.  You just continue to wrap the hoop using the half (or third) section, and once you use some, even out the roll by using the other half and then start again.  As I read this back, Im not sure if Im explaining it so that it makes sense but its hard without a visual :-)  Anyway, that worked well for me.  Duct tape seems to be heavier than most other tapes, so if you use a lot, expect a heavy hoop.

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Permalink Reply by Amelia McRae Hoy on May 18, 2011 at 11:26am

I have only had luck with duct tape looking nice on 1 inch tubing.

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Permalink Reply by tiffany barnes on May 18, 2011 at 11:33am

I use it on 3/4" tubing but I wrap it around once and then cut each strip so i can make them lay flat, once i have a base of duct tape I add electrical/vinyl tape over it for added grip and it helps hide any imperfections in the duct taping

 

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Permalink Reply by Kortney 'Kid A' Bewley on May 18, 2011 at 11:54am

very carefully. It is much easier to use it if you do the half or 3/4 width sized. But I have noticed, I always use the whole width...that keeping the angle correct is very difficult, I end up with a gap where the electrical tape goes in the beginning and by the third or fourth wrap over the gap is gone and I have to reposition the tape carefully as I continue wrapping so the electrical tape will be evenly striped. The easiest way I have found is to hold the hoop perpendicular to the ground paralell to your body and keep the roll close to the hoop, within a few inches. If you pull to much off the roll while wrapping it is more difficult to wrap the hoop and it also gets folded over on itself in spots that make little creses and they are hard to smooth back out. I have only ever used duck tape because I am pretty cheap though haha! It is worth the hassle for poor people like me. And with all the cool colors and pattern they make you can still make a nice looking hoop. If only they made neon electrical tapes available at walmart then I would be set.

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Permalink Reply by Kortney 'Kid A' Bewley on May 18, 2011 at 11:58am

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=101281984&l=3b1f3f3f1a&am...

 

here is a pic of my fave hoop i have made so far. as you can see it is not perfect at all lol! there are a few wrinkles in it. But they don't impact the hoopability of the hoop if there is only a few, and most of them are on the inside of the hoop.

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Permalink Reply by Goldfish on May 18, 2011 at 12:39pm

As Jamie said, make sure you are tearing your duct tape at least in half. I start on the inside of my hoop, holding the hoop horizontally in front of me. I decide what angle I want my tape depending on how much space I want between stripes (I keep about a foot of one inch non-sticky ribbon with my stuff to test angles so I don't have to keep sticking and unsticking). Once I figure out what angle I want I hold my roll of tape out at that angle keeping it consistent. I use the thumb of my other hand (the one not holding the roll of tape) to smooth down the tape. It is VERY important not to pull too hard on the roll of tape. That causes wrinkles. Once I figured out that I was pulling too hard putting way too much tension on the roll of tape, I learned to relax my grip and just keep that angle, lightly laying the tape down where it naturally goes, it got much prettier. Now I have no problem with wrinkled duct tape at all!I hope that makes sense.. if you need any clarification, feel free to ask. :)

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Carroll on May 18, 2011 at 12:53pm

Pretty much what everyone has already said.  Before I use a roll of duct tape I use a sharp steak knife to cut it in half so I have two 1" wide rolls.  This helps keep the edges neater than ripping.  I then figure out how much space will be between colors and cut out a cardboard spacer to help keep my angles right (I'm not great at holding my roll consistently at the right angle).  Sometimes I tape it to my left thumb while using the right to hold my tape.

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Permalink Reply by Denise Cervola on May 18, 2011 at 1:01pm

I lay it a severe angle so it does not overlap and then cover the gap with a 1 in grip or hockey tape- it works very well.

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