# Name Something Duct Tape WON'T Fix
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [March 31, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059 "2022-03-31T17:52:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/1 "2022-03-31T17:52:45Z")
Yes, I said name something it _won’t_ fix. And don’t say a broken heart 😉 🙂 .
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/2 "2022-03-31T17:53:43Z")
A broken limb.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/3 "2022-03-31T17:55:17Z")
A broken connecting rod.
Broken valve springs.
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### Author:  [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/4 "2022-03-31T17:55:47Z")
It’s really not the right tape to be used for ductwork. You should really use (either a very specific duct tape designated as suitable for the job or) foil tape meant specifically for the application.
Weird, huh ?
> **[Can Duct Tape be Used to Seal Ducts? | Moore Home Services](https://moorehomeservices.com/blog/can-duct-tape-be-used-to-seal-ducts/)**
>
> There are many things that live up to their name, unfortunately duct tape is not one of them. While duct tape has many uses—wart removal is one that comes to mind—this sticky substance should never be used to seal your ducts. Our customers constantly...
> **[Why can't I use general purpose duct tape on HVAC ductwork? - Tape University®](https://tapeuniversity.com/industry/hvac-industry/why-cant-i-use-general-purpose-duct-tape-on-ductwork/)**
>
> Duct tape is useful for repairing just about anything, but ironically, not for ducts.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/5 "2022-03-31T17:56:39Z")
And duck tape won’t fix ducks.
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### Author:  [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/6 "2022-03-31T18:04:27Z")
Herpes?
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### Author:  [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/7 "2022-03-31T18:04:31Z")
It’ won’t fix me breakfast. 😠
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### Author:  [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/8 "2022-03-31T18:05:50Z")
It can’t fix stupid.
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### Author:  [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/9 "2022-03-31T18:05:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#):
>
> A broken limb.
Might be useful for a splint though!
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/10 "2022-03-31T18:06:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#):
>
> And duck tape won’t fix ducks.
I suspect that depends upon what is wrong with the duct.
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### Author:  [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/11 "2022-03-31T18:08:00Z")
> [@Folly](#):
>
> > [@running\_coach](#):
> >
> > A broken limb.
>
> Might be useful for a splint though!
Could probably make a decent cast out of duct tape too.
But duct tape only fixes things that are loose but should be tight.
For things that are tight but should be loose, WD-40.
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### Author:  [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/12 "2022-03-31T18:08:10Z")
Global warming.
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### Author:  [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/13 "2022-03-31T18:09:00Z")
Something that’s supposed to come apart, but is stuck.
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### Author:  [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/14 "2022-03-31T18:10:11Z")
My old homeowner advice from years ago:
“If it moves, but shouldn’t - duct tape. If is doesn’t move, but should - WD-40”.
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### Author:  [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/15 "2022-03-31T18:11:08Z")
Argh, got ninja’d twice while adding to my post 🙁
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### Author:  [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/16 "2022-03-31T18:14:37Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#):
>
> And don’t say a broken heart
I won’t, but the Bee Gees did…
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpZuAtwDfag)
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### Author:  [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/17 "2022-03-31T18:42:57Z")
Of course duct tape won’t fix everything. Everyone knows to fix everything you need both duct tape and WD-40.
If it moves when it shouldn’t, use duct tape.
If it doesn’t move when it should, use WD-40.
Edit: Missed the post by @snowthx that said the same thing. Oops.
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### Author:  [@a6ka97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a6ka97)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/18 "2022-03-31T19:11:17Z")
Anything with a slippery coating like a car bumper taped to a well waxed trunk lid.
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/19 "2022-03-31T19:15:31Z")
I hate duct tape. It leaves an almost unremovable residue especially if left in place for any duration, the vinyl backing tends to stretch rather than tear quickly, and is used inappropriately as a structural fix-all that fails suddenly. For the applications it is suited, i.e. as adhesive tape I much prefer gaffer tape which tears cleanly and leaves little residue. If you actually want to bond things together structurally or stop leaks JB Weld is a far superior method to tape.
Stranger
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### Author:  [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)
#### Post date: [March 31, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-something-duct-tape-wont-fix/962059/20 "2022-03-31T19:19:17Z")
Not quite the same, but I badly sprained my right foot big toe a few days before embarking on a fairly epic hike an 800m ascent followed by 5 days in a river ( [kloofing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kloofing), as it is locally known ).
I really wanted that hike, so I duct-taped my big toe to my second and set off. I made it through the 5 days with regular painkillers and some whisky
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