With cloth tape, I like using 4 rolls - 2 rolls per side. I start at the top and work down to the end. I like to get the overlap as close as possible so as to have a more "continuous" look to it.
Once it is wrapped , I'll wet it down, and then dry it with a hot hair drier to shrink it to the bars. Then spray it with a water repellent for shoes or leather, so they stay cleaner, and clean up easier.
Here is a pic of my first cloth bar wrap:
http://my.raex.com/
Steve DeOreo
North Canton, Ohio USA