Okay, so the arms on my office chair are all cracked and fucked up (prolly due to my pointy elbows) and they’re very uncomfortable to lean on. The rest of the chair is fine, so I thought I’d duct tape 'em up so they wouldn’t be all crackly on my elbows.
Suddenly my tongue is going all tingly and numb and I can smell this really chemically smell. Sure enough, it’s the duct tape!
I cut it all off and am back to crackly arm rests. But is this a normal thing with duct tape? I cannot be in close proximity to it. I may even have to put the garbage outside.
Anyone ever get this reaction to duct tape? I’m really bummed…it’s the Eighth Wonder of the World and I can’t use it!
You may be sensitive to a chemical used to make it. I know some brands of duct tape smell very strongly of chemicals or petroleum type products and it’s not unheard of for people to react to those things.
It’s not my skin that is having the adverse reaction. I’m inhaling the fumes from the stuff, which is just gagging the bejeezus out of me. I don’t think this is the usual brand we have around (I’m certain this has never happened to me before). Prolly like George’s fiance and the cheap-ass envelopes. I smell an imposter.
Does electrical tape come in a fat width (like, duct-tape width)? If so, that may be the ticket.
Sorry, I knew that but was thinking about your elbows as I typed. Cranial toot.
Recently at a Lowes I saw a bargain package of duct tape rolls for a really low price, much lower than others higher in the display. I looked closer to see what the difference was and I think they were made in Mexico. Perhaps you’ve inadvertently come across that or a similar cheap knock-off.
I see electrical tape comes in different colors and imagine you could find thicker widths as well.
I’m wondering if you’d be better off to unwrap the duct tape, then re-wrap the arms in something like “Micropore” bandage tape. It’s hypoallergenic, but only 3/4" wide at the drug store.
Not super durable though, but duct tape will also give problems soon enough as the edges roll up and you get wiry edges of sticky all along the arms.
Gaffer’s tape would be worth a try. It nice and wide(well actually many widths), but itis a bit more expensive than Duct tape but very very useful. It has a whole different chemical adhesive. It’s designed to hold as well, but come off clean and with no residue left , so movie lights and stands don’t get all gummy.
