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Don't pull it very tight around the subject, it does bond to itself. It must be pulled a bit to 'activate' though, but you can then let it relax a bit. At least that's the way I used to use it 30 years ago.
You can even bond two pieces together on a tabletop, let it sit for awhile and then you have 1-3/4 inch wide stuff.
Sorry to revive and old post.....but it's a good one. I'm planning on using the rescue tape on my 18,000 miles XK. The old boot is totally perished and the exposed joint is full of road dirt and sand, but no play at all. What should I use to clean the debris off, how thorough should I get, and what type of grease should I use to replace or put around the joint before applying the rescue tape? I'd try a split boot, but hadn't gone that route yet. I'll try one side with overlapped rescue tape, to see how it goes, and how well it holds up. It's amazing with all the crap that has accumulated on the old ball joint, there is absolutely no play or creaking. At least they made the ball joint well, with a crappy boot.
Last edited by bocatrip; Jun 29, 2025 at 05:59 PM.
Sorry to revive and old post.....but it's a good one. I'm planning on using the rescue tape on my 18,000 miles XK. The old boot is totally perished and the exposed joint is full of road dirt and sand, but no play at all. What should I use to clean the debris off, how thorough should I get, and what type of grease should I use to replace or put around the joint before applying the rescue tape? I'd try a split boot, but hadn't gone that route yet. I'll try one side with overlapped rescue tape, to see how it goes, and how well it holds up. It's amazing with all the crap that has accumulated on the old ball joint, there is absolutely no play or creaking. At least they made the ball joint well, with a crappy boot.
What to NOT use is anything like Carburetor or Brake cleaner as that will flush out all the grease that remains inside the joint. All I've ever used is a cloth rag sprayed with a goodly amount of spray lube or plain old oil. Just oil cleans really well. After that I would always mask off the parts that should remain wet, clean the 'boot' attachment points and then WIPE the dirty hard parts with a rag with Carb or Brake cleaner on it.
I've found some nifty stuff called Chain Lube for motorcycles. It's sticky grease for motorcycle chains, it stays on good and is really slippery. Not a replacement for grease, but much better than nothing.
What to NOT use is anything like Carburetor or Brake cleaner as that will flush out all the grease that remains inside the joint. All I've ever used is a cloth rag sprayed with a goodly amount of spray lube or plain old oil. Just oil cleans really well. After that I would always mask off the parts that should remain wet, clean the 'boot' attachment points and then WIPE the dirty hard parts with a rag with Carb or Brake cleaner on it.
I've found some nifty stuff called Chain Lube for motorcycles. It's sticky grease for motorcycle chains, it stays on good and is really slippery. Not a replacement for grease, but much better than nothing.
Does the chain lube (Lucas) come in a spray can? or is it thicker and comes in a tube? I was thinking that I was supposed to replace grease with grease, but if the silicone chain lube works, why not? Also, when applying the rescue tape, will it be ok to wrap it tightly or will that restrict the movement of the ball joint. I understand this is a temporary fix, but I'd like to try to do the best job possible. This tape doesn't adhere unless pulled tight.
Last edited by bocatrip; Jun 29, 2025 at 07:08 PM.
The spray I use is MAXIMA Racing Oils Paraffin based chain lube. No silicone as it may react to the remaining grease still inside the joint. That's also why no brake kleen or carb clean.... it removes the existing oils to a point.
The spray I use is MAXIMA Racing Oils Paraffin based chain lube. No silicone as it may react to the remaining grease still inside the joint. That's also why no brake kleen or carb clean.... it removes the existing oils to a point.
Thanks Cee Jay.... What about pulling the rescue tape too tight around the ball joint? I want it to stick together but I don't want to restrict the ball joint? What do you think?
I wrap that tape loose-ish around the inside parts and pull it tighter around the solid parts where it needs to be tight. Ball joints don't move a whole big distance anyway.
Remember though, it's only a 'temporary' fix. Course, my temporary fixes go years sometimes before I go back and do it right. I'm kind of lazy sometimes.
