Colourful solutions from 'duct tape in a can'

The Plasti Dip range. Photo / Supplied.

Boaties now have more colourful way to seal frayed rope ends, cover tool handles and dress up their steering wheels and gear levers.

Plasti Dip is a synthetic rubber coating designed to protect and insulate a range of equipment. Developed in the United States to replace worn grips on hand tools such as pliers, it was first introduced to New Zealand last year. According to Bruce Walker, of New Zealand distributor Griffiths Equipment, Plasti Dip has already proved popular here and is likely to become even more so with the introduction of a new version, which contains a Create Your Own Colour Kit.

Originally available in just red, blue, yellow and black, the product has now been released as a clear base in a new 600gm container, along with five specially formulated tints.

"By mixing the tints it is possible to create thousands of different colours," says Walker. The Plasti Dip "Clear" product can be used as a clear coating with the original material remaining visible.

Walker says the new colour kit creates more possibilities for using the product. "Because it can stick to most hard surfaces, including metal, wood, glass, masonry and other plastics, it is extremely versatile. "The Americans refer to it as 'like duct tape in a can' because of the hundreds of uses it has."

He says these include use on boat decks to provide an anti-slip surface, sealing rope ends, on old steering wheels and gear knobs, on pulleys, rings and poles and on fabrics to provide weather proofing.

Walker says that, provided the surfaces coated with Plasti Dip are dry and free of rot and rust, they will resist moisture, weathering, corrosion, abrasion and some acids.

"It is also claimed to be UV stable for seven to 10 years and can withstand significant temperature extremes. Once dried, Plasti Dip is very durable and will not slip, pucker or peel off."