Why factory tape is cloth vs electrical

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-15-2019, 10:05 PM

I'm doing some wiring management and wanted everything to look good and like factory.

So dumb question came up... Why do they use this black cloth tape for bundling up wire harness inside the car vs electrical tape?

OTO335i · 07-15-2019, 10:52 PM

I would assume it’s because electrical tape dries up and gets brittle over time with heat/cold cycles and loses it’s stickiness. I find that cloth tape (hockey tape) can tolerate these changes easier since it’s more pliable.

e90yyc · 07-15-2019, 10:59 PM

Because BMW.

I’ve used a good quality electrical tape to redo any of my old hockey tape wrappings that have dried up and fallen off. I figure by the time they need replacing again the car will be at the end of its life.

Nickco43 · 07-15-2019, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I'm doing some wiring management and wanted everything to look good and like factory.

So dumb question came up... Why do they use this black cloth tape for bundling up wire harness inside the car vs electrical tape?

The felt tape is easier to work with, deals with heat changes better and reduces rattles.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 07-15-2019, 11:26 PM

Reduces rattles. Very common in a lot of cars. You'll find more electrical tape in the engine bay. When you move to the interior, they switch to cloth.

IllSic_Design · 07-15-2019, 11:43 PM

For the reasons stated above I tend to like the cloth tape better than elec tape. I have started using it for all my wiring tucks/mods ever since I first saw it used in my old E46.

hassmaschine · 07-16-2019, 12:39 AM

No modern auto manufacturer uses vinyl tape. It doesn't hold up well - cloth tape lasts decades vs a couple years at most.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-16-2019, 05:59 AM

Ah ok nice to know thanks.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-16-2019, 07:26 AM

Is there a special name for this tape? Cloth tape doesn't bring me much results.

e90yyc · 07-16-2019, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Is there a special name for this tape? Cloth tape doesn't bring me much results.

There might be, but I was able to net some decent search results using term “wiring loom cloth tape.”

apexit4 · 07-16-2019, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Is there a special name for this tape? Cloth tape doesn't bring me much results.

Search for "automotive cloth tape". I found these two on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Tesa-Fleece-I...gateway&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Adecco-LLC-Ha...gateway&sr=8-4

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-16-2019, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apexit4

Search for "automotive cloth tape". I found these two on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Tesa-Fleece-I...gateway&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Adecco-LLC-Ha...gateway&sr=8-4

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

There might be, but I was able to net some decent search results using term “wiring loom cloth tape.”

Wanted to avoid ordering online in Canada but local stores don't have anything on their website guess Amazon. 11$ for one roll of chineese brand...

Explorerlyon · 07-16-2019, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Wanted to avoid ordering online in Canada but local stores don't have anything on their website guess Amazon.

Tesa tape as posted above is what I have used. Home Depot has it on their website called "Friction Tape" made by 3M (in Canada).

apexit4 · 07-16-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Wanted to avoid ordering online in Canada but local stores don't have anything on their website guess Amazon. 11$ for one roll of chineese brand...

FCP seems to carry something similar. See if you can cross reference the part number they list on their website with any local retailers.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...mm-61136902588

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-16-2019, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorerlyon

Tesa tape as posted above is what I have used. Home Depot has it on their website called "Friction Tape" made by 3M (in Canada).

Arghh good catch but seems like it's discontinued. Out of stock at all stores nearby.

Guess I'll just shell 12$ for one roll.

e90yyc · 07-16-2019, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorerlyon

Tesa tape as posted above is what I have used. Home Depot has it on their website called "Friction Tape" made by 3M (in Canada).

That's Home Depot USA. Two different sites, sadly...

The ironic thing is that's it made in Canada and yet still unavailable to us

e90yyc · 07-16-2019, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Arghh good catch but seems like it's discontinued. Out of stock at all stores nearby.

Guess I'll just shell 12$ for one roll.

If you want the 3M 1755 (I would...) go to Fastenal. There's a location in Gatineau: 274-D Chemin Industriel.

It's likely around $15 per roll (prices on site are USD); maybe more in store.

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0701495

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-16-2019, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

If you want the 3M 1755 (I would...) go to Fastenal. There's a location in Gatineau: 274-D Chemin Industriel.

It's likely around $15 per roll (prices on site are USD); maybe more in store.

https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0701495

I bought a cheapo crimp tool on amazon and the tape roll... I needed everything ASAP (one day shipping) haha

07-15-2019, 10:05 PM	#1
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2656 Rep 6,288 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Why factory tape is cloth vs electrical I'm doing some wiring management and wanted everything to look good and like factory. So dumb question came up... Why do they use this black cloth tape for bundling up wire harness inside the car vs electrical tape? Last edited by TheMidnightNarwhal; 07-16-2019 at 08:37 AM..
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07-15-2019, 10:52 PM	#2
OTO335i Lieutenant 145 Rep 506 Posts Drives: 2010 335I Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Ottawa, Ontario iTrader: (0)	I would assume it’s because electrical tape dries up and gets brittle over time with heat/cold cycles and loses it’s stickiness. I find that cloth tape (hockey tape) can tolerate these changes easier since it’s more pliable. __________________ 2010 335I Xdrive You're not really driving if you don't have 3 pedals.
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07-15-2019, 10:59 PM	#3
e90yyc Art Collector 2425 Rep 3,449 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Because BMW. I’ve used a good quality electrical tape to redo any of my old hockey tape wrappings that have dried up and fallen off. I figure by the time they need replacing again the car will be at the end of its life. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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07-15-2019, 11:26 PM	#5
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Reduces rattles. Very common in a lot of cars. You'll find more electrical tape in the engine bay. When you move to the interior, they switch to cloth.
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07-15-2019, 11:43 PM	#6
IllSic_Design Colonel 2124 Rep 2,758 Posts Drives: 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	For the reasons stated above I tend to like the cloth tape better than elec tape. I have started using it for all my wiring tucks/mods ever since I first saw it used in my old E46.
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07-16-2019, 12:39 AM	#7
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	No modern auto manufacturer uses vinyl tape. It doesn't hold up well - cloth tape lasts decades vs a couple years at most.
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07-16-2019, 05:59 AM	#8
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2656 Rep 6,288 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Ah ok nice to know thanks.
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07-16-2019, 07:26 AM	#9
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2656 Rep 6,288 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Is there a special name for this tape? Cloth tape doesn't bring me much results.
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