Despite what some authors have written online and in certain veneering books, most blue painter's tapes are not inherently elastic. That's fine for pre-taping a veneer seam if the veneer edges lines up perfectly, but often there is an edge that needs a little extra "pull" to keep the seam tight.
I tried countless blue tapes from every manufacturer I could find to get a removable tape that had some elasticity, and eventually a box arrived from a supplier that followed through on a promise to find the perfect blue tape for veneering. This clean-release tape has the ideal amount of stretch and a strong memory so that it pulls back with enough force to keep unruly joints tight. I can't stress enough that this is not the same tape that you can find in a hardware store!
Apply this tape to the back side of the veneer joint. Placing this tape across the seam will allow you to stretch the tape so it can pull the joint tight. The more you pull and stretch the tape, the more the tape works to pull the joint tight. Once the blue tape is applied, the face side of the veneer can be taped with standard veneer tape. Remove the blue tape after the brown tape has set, and then press your panel without worry that the joint will separate.
Size: 11/16" x 180'
Thickness: .005"
Always remove the blue tape by pulling it at a low angle from the veneer face
and at 45 degrees from the seam line as shown below.
Review by Andrew Timko
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Great product! I used to try and make do with painters tape and veneer tape, but always fought it. Tried this stuff and my life has changed. I have gotten into chessboards recently which doesn't seem difficult, however perfect alignment for a great project is important. This helps me to pull in those fine veneers that may not want to play nice well for a great glue up. I am very happy!
Review by Dave Johns
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Good stuff, shipped and received on time and without any damage. The website description was also accurate and fair. I would recommend this product to anyone interested.
Review by John Laupheimer
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This does just what it says. It pulls veneer pieces together temporarily while you paper tape the face sides. The tack is enough to hold but still is easy to remove. Well worth having on the shelf. It is also good for light clamping use on boxes and the like.
Review by Dave Agostini
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This is the first time I used this tape for a veneer project. I have previously used regular blue painter tape. But, I love this tape! It far out performs the regular old blue tape.
Review by Ken Gebhardt
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It does take a little time to get to know exactly how to work with this but once you know it pulls seams together and comes off easily. I will buy this again it's that good!
Review by Mark Parker
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This stuff is great! Just the right amount of stretch and stick. I used it for book-matching veneer and then put regular veneer tape on other side. When that was dry, I removed the blue tape. Removes easily too.
Review by Larry Fisher
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While this tape is excellent for taping veneers together, I mainly use it to glue the binding and purfling on my harp soundboxes. It's strong, flexible and is the best that I've used.
Review by Robert Stewart
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This is the perfect tape for veneer! I should have known that Joe would have this item. It works exactly as described and has the perfect stretch factor.
Review by Aaron Saxton
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I had cracked veneers that had dried apart...regular veneer tape just couldn't hold it properly. It would take forever to get the tape dry enough for each staple to hold anything - and even then it as too stiff. This tape however, did the job. It has just enough tension to "pull" the pieces together and is strong - and comes off remarkably easier than regular tape. Wish I had this tape a long time ago.
Review by Bob Cole
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I have been using many types of "blue" and "green" tape with my veneers for quite some time. Since I ordered, and used, this tape I use no other. I highly recommend its use. It "pulls" veneer edges together and leaves no residue. What more could you ask for?