My Kapton tape stinks (literally) - finding a good brand?

[TheBorg]

I bought a roll of el-primo-cheapo Kapton tape off of Fleabay, and it arrived, and let me tell you, this stuff smells nasty. I can't even really describe it- it's kind of like cookie dough mixed in with vinegar apple cider. Nasty. And what's more, it really starts to smell during rework (hot air), once the tape hits 150+ degrees C than it just gives off a puff of smoke and smells really bad (adhesive melting?).

So is this normal? I am trying to do a lot more hot air rework, and am doing temps at around 400C to get solder to melt quickly (if you have advice on this too, that would be great), and I've read Kapton tape is good to 250C, so I might be exceeding the tapes heat range. however, the tape isn't like disintegrating with rework, but it just smells nasty. If it's not normal can anyone recommend a good brand of tape to get, and possibly list a source? (I am also looking for good fluxes, so if it's an online store that carries both that would be awesome).

Just wondering since I am a newb, is this normal behavior?

[philpem]

Sounds like you've been had... proper Kapton tape doesn't do that. I've taken it to 300C with a hot air gun and it loosened and peeled away, but besides that didn't do much.

If you can find it, 3M 5413 is the proverbial mutt's nuts. Farnell's own Multicomp brand Kapton tape isn't bad either.

[TheBorg]

Sounds like you've been had... proper Kapton tape doesn't do that. I've taken it to 300C with a hot air gun and it loosened and peeled away, but besides that didn't do much.

If you can find it, 3M 5413 is the proverbial mutt's nuts. Farnell's own Multicomp brand Kapton tape isn't bad either.

I'm positive I've been had. It was only $2 after all, not a whole lot of loss. Probably cost just as much to ship it for the guy 

I should say that my budget is probably $10-15 for a decent roll (1/2"?). Looking at the 3M stuff, its a bit out of that, but it might be worth it if it's the "mutt's nuts". Never heard that expression 

[wraper]

I have 4 different width rolls of kapton tape from ebay. None of them smells while heating, adhesive isn't as good as on branded ones but overall they are OK.

[TheBorg]

I have 4 different width rolls of kapton tape from ebay. None of them smells while heating, adhesive isn't as good as on branded ones but overall they are OK.

If you remember, who is the seller?

[robrenz]

I have got good stuff from these guys at what seemed to be reasonable prices.

[amyk]

Kaptop is good for up to 400C. You might've gotten some other plastic instead.