Electrical tape

[mr_maxime]

I'm taking apart sections of the harnesses to remove wires I won't need with my electric conversion. I was wondering if anyone knew a good electrical tape that won't leave residue. I got some self fusing silicone tape for small sections but I'd rather not wrap the entire length with it since it'll be really difficult to take apart in the future.

[Spittybug]

I find that the best ones are the big brands like 3M. Stay away from the cheap Chinese stuff at places like Harbor Freight. It gets super gooey and slimy in no time at all. The key to any good tape job is to make sure the first couple and last couple of wraps around the bundle are NOT stretched much at all, but the main length is. That way it won't unravel.

[Bitsyncmaster]

What I'm doing with my engine harness is I group a bunch of wires and use heat shrink tubing over the small groups. If you are wrapping get real harness wrap which has no glue. You back wrap the start and use a little tape at the end.

[Jensen]

If you need adhesive-type tape, I've used TESA auto wire harness electrical tape purchased from Ebay very successfully. Used by OEMs, high temperature and abrasion resistance. I've also used non-adhesive wire harness friction tape (like the GM style but others work too) also from Ebay. You have to tie off/seal end properly but both work and look professional depending on your circumstances.

[jangell]

I used self-fusing tape for my harnesses specifically because I didn't want to deal with sticky electrical tape. You do have to seal off the ends somehow (ie: a little heat shrink or electrical tape, but only over the self-fusing tape, so you don't have to worry about the adhesive wires) or they might eventually, but it works well for me. When I've had to get to the wires inside, I just cut the through tape with a utility knife set to its shallowest depth, then wrap that part back up with new tape when I'm done. I have yet to damage a wire doing this.

-- Joe

[FABombjoy]

If you need adhesive-type tape, I've used TESA auto wire harness electrical tape purchased from Ebay very successfully. Used by OEMs, high temperature and abrasion resistance. I've also used non-adhesive wire harness friction tape (like the GM style but others work too) also from Ebay. You have to tie off/seal end properly but both work and look professional depending on your circumstances.

Another +1 for Tesa tape.
I made up my EFI wiring with it and it has a magical triad of: Sticks well, removes easily, looks good.

[David T]

An alternative would be to use the flexible plastic conduit, that way you can easily add and remove wires without wrapping and unwrapping.

[dn010]

An alternative would be to use the flexible plastic conduit, that way you can easily add and remove wires without wrapping and unwrapping.

Forgive me for saying this, as I know everyone has their own opinion, but that plastic wire loom stuff just looks cheap and plain awful to me. Not only that, it doesn't last long with the heat before it crumbles. I used it in my car and ripped it out a few days later because it looked so bad. I think the large shrink wrap looks pretty good in an alternative to tape, but I currently have taped wiring and all has been great for years now.

[Riley88]

What I'm doing with my engine harness is I group a bunch of wires and use heat shrink tubing over the small groups. If you are wrapping get real harness wrap which has no glue. You back wrap the start and use a little tape at the end.
this is your best bet. Heat gun and 3m shrink wrap

[David T]

All the new cars use the plastic conduit and the good stuff lasts. The other way is the plastic tape without the glue. You can get that from Eastwood.com. Takes a little practice to get looking even and tight. If you don't do the ends right it will unravel.

[Bitsyncmaster]

All the new cars use the plastic conduit and the good stuff lasts.

I had two cars with that split plastic conduit and it was breaking and falling off less than 10 years old. What do you call a "new car"?

[DMC-Ron]

I had two cars with that split plastic conduit and it was breaking and falling off less than 10 years old. What do you call a "new car"?

I think David is referring to the new cars on the showroom floor. There's a lot of plastic in the engine compartment. That said, it doesn't mean it's necessarily good. It just seems like they don't actually want you to see the engine or wiring anymore.

Ron

[mr_maxime]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to try for the gm style non adhesive with self fusing to seal the ends. Shrink wrap isn't a bad idea but that means disconnecting a bunch of wires. Im only cutting out the ones I'm not using to keep from getting a rats nest.

[MikeWard]

If you need adhesive-type tape, I've used TESA auto wire harness electrical tape purchased from Ebay very successfully. Used by OEMs, high temperature and abrasion resistance. I've also used non-adhesive wire harness friction tape (like the GM style but others work too) also from Ebay. You have to tie off/seal end properly but both work and look professional depending on your circumstances.
Another +1 for Tesa tape :thumbup:

[FABombjoy]

One other note regarding heat shrink - based on "experiential frustration"

Heat shrink - especially weatherproof style with adhesive - may create two stress points in the wiring at the ends of the shrink tube.

If the shrink tube is part of a straight run it will not be an issue. If you're using shrink near a connector, wiring bend, or other situation where wire strain may come in to play mixed with vibration. Just be sure that the heat shrink is cured close to it's final form and you should be good.

Super high quality example image:
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