I just got new sticks recently and taped them with 3M Scotch 35 electrical tape. About an hour of practice later, the tape had turned a gross yellow, at the places where I gripped the sicks. Does anyone know how to get rid of this/what is causing it?

Ive never used that tape on a stick before but i'd say its sweat.Also, White turns a creme/yellow color as it ages.

In my experience this is fairly common. The tape you bought was probably getting old, this is from pressure on the sticks from your fingers and sweat.

It just means the vendor wasn't good at marketing their tape and you have a great fulcrum!

Usually sweat and age contribute to tape turning yellow. I personally use Duck Brand White Electrical Tape and love it, it typical lasts me a long time before yellowing.

Did that stuff come in shrinkwrap or the plastic container? The shrinkwrap stuff is horrible for that. 3M and Duck both make decent tape that doesn't usually yellow over the amount of time the tape lasts. I just recently started using the Duck brand tape and I think it is a bit more durable compared to the 3M stuff I usually used.

When I was in the Troopers we wanted yellow tape it matched our uniforms and we put blue stripes around the front for visual effects. So it is obvious that the tape you are using is fading and you really want the white. Like what has be mentioned I would invest into a better quality tape.

I personally have never had an issue with it turning yellow, now I have my line retape every week. Here is a link to Lone Star percussion they sell stick tape but it's no different than any other.
http://www.lonestarpercussion.com/Categories/Stick-Tape-and-Wraps/

My line uses 3m Scotch 35 white vinyl tape in a clear plastic round container, that's what is in my local mega hardware store. 3m has never failed but it may not matter that much to you. If it turned yellow, then retape.

I have never seen this happen. My first question would be: Why are you taping the sticks where your hand makes contact? You should only tape to just before where you naturally grip your sticks. By taping the grip area you are adding an uneven surface and compromising your grip and control.

If you are dead-set on continuing this taping practice, I would suggest trying different brands to find one that does not react to your sweat/body oil.

hey mate
it may just be excessive sweat from your hands, one of my friends gets that real bad when he plays. just try washing your hands thoroughly before you play, that may help

I had a little laugh when I read this. I don't know exactly what you meant, but how it took it was that you guys just got white tape and just never replaced it, planning on it turning yellow on its own. Although, if I were to use common sense, I'd assume you guys actually bought yellow tape. But it was quite comical to think the other way. Thanks for the laugh either way you meant it! Haha.

Oh, by the way, along with this post: unfortunately, I've not run into that problem. I have run into dead skin cell build-up in between the layers of tape. And in that case I just retape them. But I do naturally have sweaty hands when I play and I've never run into a yellowing problem.