Masking Tape on Gel

[DHSLXOP]

Hi Everyone,

Quick question - I found a couple pieces of gel in the cabinet today that I wanted to tape together. I used some masking tape to do it, but I'm not really sure if that burns when its put in a fixture. If not masking tape, what would be the proper procedure to do this? Thanks

[DarSax]

Masking tape wouldn't be what you're looking for--if it's not unsafe (which it may well be), it's certainly going to lessen your output.

You can find clear gel (high-heat) tape out there specifically for this purpose. I'd bet someone like City Theatrical makes it. Lemme take a look.

To reiterate: no good!

edit: I was wrong, they just do blacktak. Here's rosebrand's stuff. http://www.rosebrand.com/product870/...info=Specialty

[DaveySimps]

Masking tape = all bad, definately not the way to go. BMI Supply sells gel tape just for this purpose. It is only about $5 for a roll.

~Dave

[kiilljoy]

I didn't know such a thing existed. I've always just seen scotch tape, with apparently no ill effects.

[JD]

Are you talking about sandwiching or splicing? On modern gels, I would just overlap them a bit and use the frame to hold them in place. Gel tape is best if you have it handy. Nothing is going to look pretty if it is in view, but out of view, I would just overlay it a bit. (Unless its a scoop or something very large.)

[derekleffew]

I've found that any good quality clear 2" cello tape performs acceptably. Here's some from a specialty company, but product from your local office supply store should work just fine.

Especially with gobos, experiment with two different colors, the splice running diagonally, or a checkerboard pattern of four squares. Or my favorite trick, learned from Tom Skelton, a saturated color donut.

Now, if I were making my own gelstrings for scrollers--since it's such a labor intensive process, I would use the J-Lar 910, or manufacturer-recommended tape.

Any non-transparent tape is a definite no-no.

[gafftaper]

I've used scotch tape quite a bit with no problems. I don't like the "magic tape" style... the kind that looks milky but turns invisible. I prefer the "transparent tape" it's more like clear plastic. Never had a problem with it melting or losing it's stick power.

[Brilliant2007]

I have been using Scotch tape for many many years and have never had a problem. I've used it for taping color together...making split frames...and even custom scrolls. I've never had a problem...EVER!!

[icewolf08]

I use clear packing tape. It's cheap, and you can get it everywhere. I have never had any issues with it in terms of melting or burning.

[Grog12]

Wow...Little did I know that I was in the minority about taping gel together...waste of time and money IMHO.

And for the record Color Doughnuts 4tw!

When using a multiple color gel I usually find the newest frame available and let that pinch the gel into place. Three diagonal stripes of the primarys vs a gobo rotator with dots is pretty nifty.