Petroleum Tapes

Petroleum tape is a petrolatum-based anti-corrosion tape wrapped around pipes, joints and fittings to protect them from moisture, corrosion and weathering. This guide explains how it works and how to use it.

How it works — The tape is impregnated with a petrolatum compound that displaces moisture and seals out air and water when wrapped around metal. It conforms tightly to irregular shapes, so it protects awkward areas like flanges, valves, bolts and joints that paint or a rigid wrap cannot cover cleanly. Once wrapped, it forms a long-lasting barrier that resists corrosion without curing hard.

Where it is used — Petroleum tape is used on buried and exposed pipework, gas and water fittings, flanges, valves, couplings and threaded joints, both above and below ground. It is a standard way to protect metal in damp, buried and outdoor conditions across plumbing, utilities and industrial work.

How to apply — Clean the surface of loose dirt and rust first, then wrap the tape with an overlap so each turn covers part of the last, pressing it down to conform and exclude air. Wrapping fittings fully and overlapping onto the adjacent pipe gives continuous protection.

Choosing a width — Narrower tape suits small pipe, bolts and tight detail; wider tape covers larger pipe and flanges faster. Choose the width to suit what you are wrapping, or keep more than one width for mixed work.

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