The parts of the poles and
rails around the back platform of Routemasters that are grabbed by passengers
should be covered with a special white plastic corrugated tape called Doverite.
You will need two rolls for an RM/RML.
RM471 had multiple layers of
scruffy insulating tape on the poles and this was difficult to remove. I used a
When the pole is clear of
tape clean off the old adhesive with white spirit until it is really clean and
then create a key on the pole with glass paper or wire wool
Now you need to spray the
pole with an adhesive. I used “Bostik
Fast-Tak Repositionable” which seemed OK.
Now you need to start
applying the Doverite tape. Arrange it so that the flat edge is uppermost and
is covered neatly by the thick ridged edge. You will need to feather the first
section to give a neat horizontal edge which will fit under the collar. I found
it easier to work from the bottom up.
Secure the collar
temporarily (I used a drill bit) to hold things in place. If you keep the
unused coil in a plastic bag you will keep it clean and it will be tidy enough
to coil round the pole while you carefully position the tape.
When you get to the top trim
the tape off neatly and rivet the collar in place. I used 4.8mm x 12mm pop
rivets from Sterling Bolt & Nut
Co. Ltd who also supplied the Eclipse-Spiralux
Lazy Tong Riveter which is a doddle to use.
Start with the central pole
which is easiest and most accessible and a good one to learn the technique. Be
careful, you don’t want the head of the riveter to slip and spoil all your
careful handiwork. You may need to remove the curved rail backing onto to the lower
saloon in order to get to the rivets.
You will get some dirty
marks where the tape has been contaminated with adhesive. White spirit cleans
these off really well.
I was very chuffed indeed
with the finished result. Getting the old tape of the poles took a lot longer
than fixing the new tape!