METHODS FOR SHRINK WRAPPING
 

What seems to be everyone's take on installing shrink wrap?
Here's mine: once determine for diameter of wrap , whether over blank or underlayment tape , I use either contact cement or spray adhesive to allow for adhesion on wrap especially between the spaces of the cord X design or spiral grooves. Also especially on the bottom hand area to assure a bond over the time used.
I carefully use a heat gun on the low setting and spin by hand the rod and move the gun as it shrinks not to keep it on one spot too long . I'm always concerned of overheating the blank materials. I figure if I can touch the area and hold my hand on it for a few seconds , it's at a safe temp.
I see other methods i.e. heat pump, hot water, hair dryer etc. Your thoughts?

i tried a hair dryer and water before i had a heat gun - they do not work very well.

I just try to use the smallest diameter shrink wrap that fits and then heat it well with a heat gun. Seems to stay put even on a bare blank, and certainly over cork tape.

Can the adhesives you mention withstand the temperatures needed to shrink the wrap?

NE er had any issues with either. Keep in mind that over a lot of use , the shrink wrap may loosen from the blank/tape w/o adhesive.. it also keeps the cord X wrap in place when sliding over the shrink wrap.

The only time I have used epoxy was when the shrink tube I had on hand for a project was a little bigger than I wanted to use. Otherwise it goes right over the cork tape or bare blank and I heat with a blowtorch. I have learned to have a light hand with the open flame, though, as you can easily overheat the shrink wrap and blank. Started using a heat gun on last 2 builds but it is much slower going, not that it is a bad thing.

When I need to shrink around a stepdown, I use a butane torch for a final cinching. I use contact or spray adhesive because I seem to repair to many butts from guys which loosen up around the bottom hand. Also when a cord X pattern is used over a uncorked blank, the shrink wrap doesn't cinch down securely over a small blank diameter between the X's. When u use a larger diameter wrap than needed , you get a thicker rubber layer. Makes for a softer feel especially with cork base.