Color-taping up my frame

[Los Angeles]

This is for my quick errand, easygoing, somewhat junky-looking hybrid.
I thought it would be cool to tape up the frame for some color.

I don't want to put in the work of taking everything off, sanding and spraying it.
I just want to grab some awesome colorful tape and cover just about every inch of the frame.

I've had fun with taping things in the past, but I've never done it on a bike, which gets exposed to the elements.
Does anyone else have experience with this?

I'm thinking gaffer tape covering the most square inchage, and duct tape (with the stronger adhesive) in the joints.

I'd love advice or feedback. The rolls of tape I want come out to $30 with shipping, kind of expensive for me right now so I don't want to waste it on a bad idea.

[Steve Mattson]

Better yet, bring it to Craft Club and have everyone paint it for you.
Or...
Save your money.
Or...
Aluminum tape is real pretty and you could cover your bike in it. You can even polish it.
Or...
Use colored electricians tape, as it wraps real nice around the curves and such. Gaffers tape and duct tape get nasty sticky and really ugly looking with a bit of time, plus they won't conform the way you might like.  I'm leaning towards that "...don't want to waste it on a bad idea." perspective.
Unless you want your bike to look like a bent up, run-over-by-a-car version of the tin man.

[faultymonk]

This is for my quick errand, easygoing, somewhat junky-looking hybrid.
I thought it would be cool to tape up the frame for some color.

You can get sheets of vinyl tape like:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140299087390

Best of all, it's reflective.

[ScottS]

Bonk Reflective strips.

http://www.pacelineproducts.com/Item172/BONK!_Reflective_Safetey_Strips.aspx

http://www.behindthebars.com/midas/btb_product_detail.asp?Category=112&Product=773&MiDAS_SessionID=e7c4c0919bac4ef78855f085df7d889e

-ss

[Gern]

I would NEVER put gaffers tape on, within a few months it will be really bad.  Like won't come off without nasty HAZ-MAT chemicals, bad. It will fade sooner. Scotch 35 electrical tape like I put in the BRW would be better for holding against fade and conforming to the shape of the tubes.  It too will get very gooey after time.  If you do use electrical tape, when you are applying the tape, pull taught while rapping it. Cut the tape with a knife for a clean end and "Do Not" pull tight the last several inches, let it lay down so it won't peal back away.  I dig the reflective stuff, but don't know the long term condition of it.

KP's suggestion is great! Go NUTZ like the patterns below!!

[kp]

cotton tape and shellac...

you can elaborate by doing harlequin wrap;

http://www.flickr.com/groups/harlequin/
http://www.wastedlife.org/bike/harlequin/index.html
http://www.bikecult.com/works/parts/HBfancybarwrap.html

go nuts.