The Many Weird and Wonderful Uses of Duct Tape
Duct tape can come in useful in all sorts of situations. It was originally developed in World War II to provide the US military with something flexible, waterproof and durable to make a few running repairs on the battle field – it was named “duck tape” by the GI’s because water runs off it just like it does off a ducks back.
I’d like to bet that the original creators of duct tape would be amazed at what some creative and ingenious people have used it for over the last 70 years or so.
Here are a few examples:
Tent Repairs – little tears in a tent are no problem if you’ve taken your duct tape with you. A small patch can cover the hole to keep the weather and the bugs firmly on the outside. If you mirror the patch on the interior of the tent it’ll be even more durable.
Make a rope or a clothes line – just take a long piece of duct tape and twist it to create a strong piece of rope perfect for many uses. A single piece will create a clothes line and a few pieces twisted together can make a more robust rope.
Fixing a convertible car roof – there’s nothing like driving along with the hood down in the summer, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Unfortunately many older convertibles are prone to suffer from damage and tears after prolonged use – duct tape can soon sort it out until you can get the job done properly. Incidentally, there are some fabulous convertibles available at Chino Hills Ford which won’t need any duct tape for a few years yet.
Reseal food packages – duct tape can be used to form an air tight seal on food packages, you can even create a lid from duct tape to pop across cans of food.
Tape up a broken window – broken windows can shard and shatter when you try to replace them so here’s a neat duct tape trick. Criss cross duct tape across the pane of glass to hold it together, when you remove the window frame the broken glass will stay in position and you won’t get hurt.
Fixing rain gear – water proof rain gear is designed to keep your stuff dry but is also prone to rips and tears. A few pieces of duct tape can perform a great repair job in case of emergency.
Caring for blisters – cover blisters with a piece of cotton gauze and then place the duct tape over the cotton for a good care package. It’s important that the duct tape doesn’t actually touch the blister so be sure to cover it completely in cotton gauze.
Strap up a sprained ankle – hikers and back packers who like to go on adventures to the middle of nowhere can get in real trouble if they sprain an ankle. Wrapping the ankle with duct tape can provide support to help them walk to find help.
Spectacle / glasses repair – you can repair eyeglasses and spectacles with duct tape if they happen to break when you’re in the middle of nowhere and really can’t see a thing without them. Okay, it looks quite nerdy but there won’t be anybody around to see you so what does it matter?
Emergency car repairs – duct tape can come in useful for many emergency car repairs from broken wing mirrors to attached loose bumpers. Just use your imagination and make sure that you have a roll in the trunk at all times.
Check out the motors at http://fairviewford.com for some fabulous bargains but remember, don’t go anywhere without your duct tape.
