We could argue that my dad’s rugged good looks and “never quit” attitude were the main assets that enabled him to make it to the big screen, but today I’m going to argue that it was because of duct tape. Walk with me and I’ll explain.
Dad left his home in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 18 to make his mark as an actor in Hollywood, but to accomplish such a feat, he first had to secure gainful employment. Based on stories he told me, he took on just about every handyman job available throughout the greater Los Angeles area. But here’s the thing: “Handy with tools” describes absolutely anybody but my dad.
The secret behind his relentless labor was 100-mile-an-hour tape (an old nickname for military-grade duct tape). Once Dad got his mitts on the silver stallion, it turned him into a master craftsman whenever he flexed his biceps and pulled a strip from the spool. Duct tape enabled Dad to perform quick, easy field repairs at his day job so that he had enough time to chase his dream of becoming a matinee idol.
As a tribute of sorts, I thought it might be fun to explore some things you can do with duct tape the next time you find yourself in a tough situation and without the help and guidance of a professional Hollywood actor. Throw a roll in your saddlebag so no matter what your dreams are, you’re never stuck on the side of the road as they tragically pass you by. Ready? Great, let’s get going.
How ’bout we use duct tape to mend that cracked or ripped cup, bottle, or hydration bladder in your pack so your buddies don’t see all that spilled liquid and silently wonder if you’re incontinent. Dad told me duct tape doesn’t stick well to wet surfaces, so make sure you dry off whatever surface you’re applying the tape to beforehand.
Got a cut on your arm? Just stick a dry makeshift dressing in the middle of a strip of duct tape and wabam! there’s your bandage. Now you can get moving and keep the dream alive. Do you need a butterfly-type bandage? Just tear two small strips and connect them with a smaller strip across the middle to form an “H” shape. This will help hold the edges of the cut together while it heals. Now you’re aces!
Did you lose your belt during a truckstop bathroom emergency? No sweat, just reach for that powerful circle of silver. Simply twist a few lengths of duct tape into a cord, and it’s handled. The more strands you twist together, the longer it gets.
What are the odds that you would get a hole in your tire’s tube right next to my dad as he’s going over his lines? Crazy, right? Lucky for you, he has a fresh roll of the good stuff, and he likes to share. Just pump up the tube a bit (yes, it will be leaking) and wrap the tape around the tube a few times where the hole is. As you inflate the tube, it will generate greater pressure over the hole and substantially slow, if not stop, the leak. Thanks Dad, and good luck with that audition!
Leave a note on your bike (or car, trailer, or helmet). Just stick a length of tape to your windscreen and write down whatever you want. My dad never used this one much, because although he was a writer, he never seemed to have a fresh pen around that worked. Go figure.
Repair your riding boots (or shoes or raingear). This one is self-explanatory. It works, but if you find yourself resorting to this solution more than twice in a riding season, it’s a clear sign you need some new equipment for Christmas.
We’ve all played around wearing trash bags to shield us from the rain, but some well-placed duct tape turns this afternoon kids’ game into a survival go-to when you find yourself on the road and in need of shelter. With a couple trash bags and some duct tape, you can make a survival shelter, repair your tent, or make a wind break. Then when it’s time to climb into your 4-star digs, you can relax, grab your duct tape, and repair your torn or damaged sleeping equipment. Man, Dad sure would’ve appreciated your grit!
I know you neverforget your lucky Days of Our Lives baseball cap, but if you do, just know that you can always make a big, beautiful, shiny silver one out of duct tape. Just start from the middle and work outward until the size, shape, and aesthetic meets your high standards. No matter how it comes out, your buddies will secure lifelong photo evidence precisely three seconds after you flop it on your head, and they’ll make sure nobody ever forgets.
Thirsty? With some clever creases, you can have a perfectly good cup to drink from for the rest of your adventure. You need a funnel too? Well, as Dad used to say, “the man who won’t be beat can’t be beat,” so let’s get to work, huh?
I used to play roller hockey down in Venice Beach on weekends and often worked up massive blisters on my heels. A fresh strip of duct tape over each heel did the trick every time and enabled me to keep skating. Quick note here: Some people use cotton gauze to keep a buffer between the skin and the duct tape. I just stuck it directly to my blister because Dad was a former Marine and that’s how he did it.
Do you fancy yourself an off-road adventurer? Mark your trail with strips from a roll of the silver bullet. It can help your crew get back to camp and is extremely useful in the event of an emergency if you need to signal and guide responders for a rescue. Consider carrying some bright (possibly reflective) duct tape with you as well for better nighttime visibility. My dad only carried silver tape because he subscribed to the “wherever you go, there you are” philosophy and thus was never lost.
As you might imagine, the life of an actor sees you in and out of the unemployment line with great regularity, so Dad’s car lacked the “Platinum Preferred” maintenance treatment before hitting the road. Often, Dad would see steam billowing out from under the hood and simultaneously watch the temperatures rise on the old Chevy he drove. But after the car cooled down, Dad would wrap a few tight bands of duct tape around a freshly cleaned radiator hose, pour the rest of his room-temperature soda in, and get back on the road. Of course this was only an emergency repair, but he made dozens of auditions in precisely this manner, and the acidic beverage helped keep his radiator spick and span!
My dad was laid to rest in the winter of 2022, after 86 glorious years here on Earth. But just because someone is gone doesn’t mean they are forgotten. As a favor, I ask that you give him a nod the next time you reach for some duct tape to take care of business. He’d be damn proud of you.
Editor’s note: Quinn’s father, Quinn K. Redeker, had recurring roles in Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless and starred in many other TV shows and movies. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Deer Hunter.
Quinn Redeker wears Lee Parks Design gloves exclusively. Find Quinn at Police Motor Training.
See all Motor School with Quinn Redeker articles here.
