Here's a few pics showing how I did my 14' downwind board for those who may be confused about all these rail tape application methods.. I'm not saying my way's right and the others are wrong but this way has worked well for me..
1.. I first worked out the correct position for the tape to be on my board by checking how far I reach forward with my paddle at the start of my stroke.. You need to make sure the tape is forward enough along the rail to protect this area.. I also positioned the tape more towards the top half of the rail because that's where most paddle hits are.. and I used a few pieces of duct tape to hold it in position..
2.. I started at the front by pealing back the backing paper and lightly pressing down only the centre part of the tape..
3.. I then worked my way along the rail pealing the backing paper as I go and again only lightly pressing down the centre part of the tape.. Doing this will allow you to easyly lift the tape and reposition it if not straight..
4.. Once you've got to the end and you're happy with the position go back to the start and push down the sides by pushing from the centre out to the edge to avoid getting bubbles.. Do this along the top and then along the bottom..
You will be amazed at how such a thick tape can be so plyable and how the tape goes onto a doulde bend radius of a rail without any wrinkles.. It's that easy..
I had my first go yesterday at applying rail tape and did it as per DJ's piccirs above (watched his vid before doing it!). I put on ion tape as I couldn't get any rspro due to being sold out everywhere. Highly recommend the ion as it has the same feel and texture as the rspro looks and I even peeled it back in a couple of places to realign it with no dramas whatsoever. Easy as!!
I had my first go yesterday at applying rail tape and did it as per DJ's piccirs above (watched his vid before doing it!). I put on ion tape as I couldn't get any rspro due to being sold out everywhere. Highly recommend the ion as it has the same feel and texture as the rspro looks and I even peeled it back in a couple of places to realign it with no dramas whatsoever. Easy as!!
The ION rail tape looks the same as RSPRO because it is made by RSPRO in Spain. Same stuff. RSPRO is readily available in Australia from many retailers or online. Google it 
Thanks deano, I thought that might be the go as I saw it was made in Spain on the box. I tried every local store to me for rspro but all sold out and wanted to get some tape on the new board before I go for my next paddle on Tuesday. Happy as with the finish and matches the board really well. Easy as to put on too, I fussed around as it was my first attempt and both sides only took 15 mins total.
