Should I protect the edge of my table tennis paddle?

Question

I just recently purchased my first premium quality table tennis paddle, about $90, so I really want to preserve it as much as possible. I already wipe it with a wet paper towel and saran wrap it after every time I play, but I have noticed that the edge of the rubber is getting torn off from hitting the table as I play. Should I be protecting against this? Are there any other things I should be doing as well?

Answer 1

Established table tennis manufacturers (like Yasaka, Donic, Tibhar, etc) make edge tape, but you'd have to special order them or get in touch with a vendor through your local table tennis association (or USTTA if you're in the US). Big tournaments usually have equipment vendors set up big tables of every table tennis accessory you could imagine, including edge tape.
You can probably use a length of household electrical tape cut to width or something similar on hand to do the same thing, though.

Certainly get a racquet case. Again, it's a specialty product, not likely to be found conveniently at any local mall. But even so, there are plenty of substitutes. I used a badminton racket cover for a long time, even though I played in national competitions and you'd think I'd use a proper table tennis case. I didn't care, it worked. My father's first racket case was made by my mom, she sewed one together and threw a zipper on it.
And dry the racquet quickly when you clean it (prefer a damp cloth over a paper towel)... prolonged exposure to air or water 'whitens' the rubber, reduces its elasticity and grippiness. Handling the rubber doesn't help, but I'm assuming you know enough to keep your paws off the surface as much as possible.
And for crying out loud, stop hitting the table!! It doesn't do wonders for the blade either, never mind the rubber.

Answer 2

Rubber Table Edging

Answer 3

To Help protect the edge of the rubber you must have 3 thing as follow.

1. Table Tennis Side Tape : This is a very helpful weapon. The side tape help increase the balance of the racket and prevents the peeling of the rubbers. Not only that the side tape also help prolongs the effect of the glue either.

2. Table Tennis Rubber Protector: These are plastic sheets of stiff plastic that are designed to covered on the playing surface of your table tennis rubbers, in order to keep dust and dirt from getting on rubber surface or getting on the edge of your rubber. If you let the table tennis rubber contact with air it will causes the rubber to deteriorate faster

3. A Good Table tennis Racket Case: of course without a good case for your valuable racket the edge of rubber is on the risk to ruin faster.

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Answer 4

They make a product called "edge tape" for just that purpose.

You might want to invest in a paddle case, too.

Check the link...