Shrink wrap question

[Gradywhite3535]

Is it possible to reuse shrink wrap? I'm trying to decide if I want to shrink wrap my boat for the first time. Has anyone ever reused theres? If you can reuse how should I go about doing this? I have a 20 ft center console. I was thinking maybe I could put a 2x4 in between my over lap and not heat the wrap so its super tight.Any tips would be well appricated. Thanks

 

[tazrig]

Re: Shrink wrap question

If it's in real good condition you can re-use it. You want to wrap the boat real tight regardless of whether you decide to re-use or not. (for protection) If you do decide to reuse it and the wrap covers the sides of the boat (traditional method) when you go to remove it, cut the lines attaching it to the boat. Take a razer blade and cut from the left top corner of the transom to the bottom and from the right top corner of the transom to the bottom. Now just roll the wrap up from the stern to the bow. When you go to put the wrap back on in the fall reverse the procedure and when you get to the stern cover the cuts in the wrap with either shrink wrap tape or duct tape has worked for me. Depending on the thickness of the wrap and the quality of workmanship I've seen covers last 9 years untouched and 3-4 years if you keep taking it off and putting it back on.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Shrink wrap question

One thing that prevented me from trying this was the supports inside the wrap. I would have to duplicate these or save them and then strap them the same way or the wrap would be loose.
Then there is that bow rail which would be a pain.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Shrink wrap question

As Bubba and richoman point out. It does have to go back on the same way it came off. It might help you to take a pic or 2 of exactly how the wood strips are located and number them with a sharpie so you can fit it all back together in the fall.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Shrink wrap question

As Bubba and richoman point out. It does have to go back on the same way it came off. It might help you to take a pic or 2 of exactly how the wood strips are located and number them with a sharpie so you can fit it all back together in the fall.

I saved the top when I first got my new boat. I tried to fit it on when I found my new cover leaking and I was very surprised to find that it was at least 4-5 inches to narrow. I don't think it shrunk but it must have been tight, very tight. Maybe if it was wrapped with less heat?

 

[tazrig]

Re: Shrink wrap question

Maybe if it was wrapped with less heat?

You want it good and tight. That's what gives it it's strength and form. When you go to re-use it you will need some extra string and tape but you want it on there tight. As far as the heat goes you only use the heat the first time you put it on to shrink it. After that it stays in the form it shrank to.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Shrink wrap question

You want it good and tight. That's what gives it it's strength and form. When you go to re-use it you will need some extra string and tape but you want it on there tight. As far as the heat goes you only use the heat the first time you put it on to shrink it. After that it stays in the form it shrank to.

Maybe because this was the factory wrap it was to tight? I don't know. But there is no way it was going back on. I wonder if it was because it was blue wrap and I did leave it out in the sun for a few days.
I agree that it has to be tight to work properly.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Shrink wrap question

That dark blue wrap can get pretty hot to the touch when left out in the sun. I suppose it's possible it might have shrank just a little bit all over (from the heat of the sun) and thats why it wouldn't fit. The only thing I've ever seen generated from trying to reuse shrink-rap by reheating it a second time were holes.