It's amazing the things we did as kids yet survived into adulthood. How many of us had pedals that we let fall apart until there was only a spindle left that we'd gouge our ankles on?

What I like to use now are PVC strips cut from thin walled 4" household drain pipe. You can warm it up in the oven at about 190°F at which temp it becomes soft and pliable. Form it around the chainstay and you end up with a nice strong form-fitting brake band that doesn't mar the paint.