Wire harness cloth tape is a fabric-backed adhesive tape used to bundle wires, protect them from rubbing, and, in some cases, quiet them. Compared with film tapes such as PVC, cloth tapes cushion and resist abrasion better, so they are used in many automotive and industrial harnesses.
“Cloth” covers several different backings, though. A woven polyester tape, a soft fleece tape, and a glass cloth tape all get called cloth tape, yet each solves a different problem. This guide helps you choose the right wire harness cloth tape for the job.
Still comparing cloth with PVC, foam, and foil? Start with our wire harness tape guide, which covers the LV 312 classes and general wrapping methods. This page goes deeper on the cloth family.
Why cloth instead of film?
Older harnesses were mostly bundled with PVC tape. As carmakers pushed for quieter cabins, cloth tapes took over many interior zones because their cushioning reduces the fluttering and rustling a harness makes. Woven cloth also holds up better where wires meet sharp metal edges or moving parts.
Two requirements come with the territory. First, harness tape needs to be flame retardant, so ask for the flame rating on your datasheet. Second, the tape’s adhesive has to be compatible with the cable insulation. LV 312 tests this: the wrapped cable must withstand long-term heat without the insulation becoming brittle, and the result depends on the adhesive and backing working together.
Types of wire harness cloth tape
The simplest way to sort cloth tape is by backing, because the backing drives most of the performance.
Woven PET (and PA) cloth tape
This is the standard abrasion-protection tape. Tesa, for example, builds its abrasion tapes on durable PET or PA cloth backings with a solvent-free acrylic adhesive, and points to engine compartments as a key use.
A well-known example is Tesa 51036: a PET cloth backing with an acrylic adhesive, rated Class D for abrasion and for temperatures from -40°F to 302°F (up to 150°C). It comes on 25-meter rolls in 9, 19, 25, and 32 mm widths, in black and in orange for marking high-voltage circuits. Use it as a reference point when you read other datasheets.
Fleece and velour tape
For noise, Tesa offers tapes on PET fleece or PA velour backings, from basic to high damping levels. Soft and thick, they absorb the small impacts that cause ticking behind panels. As a result, fleece is a common choice behind dashboards, inside doors, and along headliners. On its own, however, it gives less abrasion protection than woven cloth.
Acetate cloth tape
Acetate cloth is soft and easy to tear by hand. It has long been used for bundling wiring harnesses, alongside cotton cloth tapes. Suppliers position it for light bundling and insulation where flexibility matters, and note that it isn’t a substitute for PET or glass cloth when you need greater strength or heat resistance.
Glass cloth tape
When heat is the main threat, glass cloth is the traditional answer. Industry sources point to it for the engine compartment and for runs along the exhaust system. Polyester is more flexible than glass and is also hand-tearable, so glass cloth is usually reserved for spots where heat demands it.
For radiant heat, Tesa’s selection includes aluminum-coated glass cloth tapes, whose reflective surface works at temperatures up to 200°C. Its higher-end options include silicone rubber-laminated glass-fiber cloth and self-fusing silicone tapes.
Cloth tape types compared
| Backing | Main strength | Main limitation | Typical location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven PET / PA cloth | Abrasion resistance, strength | Less noise damping than fleece | Engine bay, underbody, sharp-edge routes |
| Fleece / velour | Noise damping, softness | Limited abrasion protection | Cabin interior, behind panels |
| Acetate cloth | Soft, easy hand-tearing, light insulation | Not for higher strength or heat needs | Light bundling, small assemblies |
| Glass cloth | Heat resistance | Less flexible than polyester | Near exhaust and hot components |
Temperature, thickness, and abrasion class vary widely by brand and grade, so I haven’t listed generic numbers here. Always take them from the supplier’s datasheet.
Rubber or acrylic adhesive?
The adhesive matters as much as the fabric. Rubber-based adhesives grab quickly, which suits fast factory wrapping. Acrylic adhesives generally hold up better over time against heat and solvents. Acrylic grades compatible with newer halogen-free cable jackets (PE and PP) are also available.
So “cloth tape” alone isn’t a full specification. On a drawing, name the backing, the adhesive, the temperature class, and, if it matters, the abrasion class and hand-tear requirement.
Color: black, orange, and marker tapes
Most cloth tape is black. Some manufacturers also offer colored cloth and fleece tapes to mark specific harnesses, for example, high-voltage or 48V circuits, or to flag “no-cut zones.” If your vehicle or machine has more than one voltage level, ask your supplier about marker tapes early.
How to choose wire harness cloth tape
Work through three questions:
- How hot does the route get? Match the tape’s temperature class to the zone. For engine compartments, suppliers point to PET cloth. Where radiant heat is the issue, look at glass cloth-based tapes.
- What is the wire rubbing against? Sharp brackets and metal edges call for woven cloth with a higher abrasion class. Soft plastic panels usually call for fleece.
- Will anyone hear it? In cabin zones, use fleece, either alone or as an inner layer under woven cloth.
Then check practical details: width, roll length, color, flame rating, and whether your line depends on hand-tearable tape. For the classes behind those ratings, see the LV 312 section of our main tape guide.
Application tips
Woven cloth doesn’t stretch, so set the first angle carefully, then wrap with steady tension. Stretchy tapes behave differently. They thin out under force and then try to pull back, exposing the adhesive.
On a harness with several breakouts, wrap the small legs first with a narrow tape close to each leg’s diameter. Then wrap the main bundle with a wider tape. To change direction at a branch, back up and wrap the tape over itself rather than forcing a sharp turn.
Finally, keep tape off connector seals and mating faces, and press each end flat. If an end keeps lifting, a cable tie is a common fix.
When cloth tape isn’t enough
Cloth tape is thin and light, but it isn’t armor. Suppliers generally recommend tubing over tape in zones with constant rubbing, in rodent-prone areas, and very close to extremely hot components. In those places, a corrugated tube is usually the safer choice. If you’re new to how wraps, sleeves, and tubes fit together, our guide to wiring looms explains the basics, and our notes on custom engine wiring harnesses cover engine-side routing.
Common mistakes with wire harness cloth tape
- Writing “cloth tape” on a drawing without backing, adhesive, or a temperature class.
- Using acetate cloth where a PET or glass cloth grade is needed.
- Using fleece where abrasion is the real risk.
- Choosing a tape that can’t be torn by hand for a line that can be wrapped by hand.
- Stretching woven tape around tight bends.
FAQ
What is wire harness cloth tape made of?
Most grades use a woven or non-woven polyester (PET) backing. Polyamide (PA) cloth, acetate cloth, and glass cloth are also used. The backing carries a rubber or acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Is cloth tape better than PVC tape for wire harnesses?
It depends on the zone. Cloth generally gives better abrasion resistance and noise damping. PVC costs less and suits mild, indoor bundling, so many harnesses use both.
Which cloth tape is best for engine compartments?
Woven PET cloth with a suitable temperature and abrasion class is the usual choice. For radiant heat, glass cloth-based tapes are the option to look at.
Which cloth tape reduces noise?
Fleece or velour tape. Their soft, thick backing absorbs the vibrations that cause rattling.
Why is some harness tape orange?
Standard tape is black. Some manufacturers offer orange to mark high-voltage circuits.
Need help choosing wire harness cloth tape?
Send us your drawing or BOM and tell us where the harness runs. Our engineers can recommend tape by zone. Start with our custom wire harness page.
Further reading: Wire harnessing tapes overview, Tesa.
Sam Wu is the Marketing Manager at Romtronic, holding a degree in Mechatronics. With 12 years of experience in sales within the electronic wiring harness industry, he manages marketing efforts across Europe. An expert in cable assembly, wiring harnesses, and advanced connectivity solutions, Sam simplifies complex technologies, offering clear, actionable advice to help you confidently navigate your electrical projects.
