Planning for a paint job on my Tiger this winter and could use a pirep on protection film (aka leading edge tape). I saw one thread recommending a gap tape and in another posting the 3M clear leading edge tape. But haven't found any pireps on these people:
http://www.aircraftpaintprotection.com/
The film looks much easier to install than I understand the 3M tape is (due to the contact adhesive on the 3M tape). APP has a bunch of Youtube installation videos and they show it going on some pretty complex shapes.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxt5_KCBJcFZZEi-lPlg4nw
Done wet. May be repeatedly repositioned until it is dry and cured. Stretchy so it follows compound curves well. They claim good resistance to yellowing, and after 10 years if it does yellow some or get dinged up, it can be warmed, removed, and replaced without damaging the paint.
So, anyone here have experience that they can share about the AAP product or the other sources with similar water activated polyurethane film products? How do they look initially? How protective are they? How do they hold up? Can they really be removed without damaging the paint?
Also, I'd be interested in more details on the 3M leading edge tape. How hard is it to install? Does it conform to compound curves (among other places, I am looking to put it on the leading edge of my nose strut which is about 1.5 inch diameter tubing with a ca. 6 inch radius, 60 degree bend about 3/4 of the way down. 3M says it may be peeled off, but I've heard otherwise. What's the real story?
Thanks in advance. Barry
http://www.aircraftpaintprotection.com/
The film looks much easier to install than I understand the 3M tape is (due to the contact adhesive on the 3M tape). APP has a bunch of Youtube installation videos and they show it going on some pretty complex shapes.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxt5_KCBJcFZZEi-lPlg4nw
Done wet. May be repeatedly repositioned until it is dry and cured. Stretchy so it follows compound curves well. They claim good resistance to yellowing, and after 10 years if it does yellow some or get dinged up, it can be warmed, removed, and replaced without damaging the paint.
So, anyone here have experience that they can share about the AAP product or the other sources with similar water activated polyurethane film products? How do they look initially? How protective are they? How do they hold up? Can they really be removed without damaging the paint?
Also, I'd be interested in more details on the 3M leading edge tape. How hard is it to install? Does it conform to compound curves (among other places, I am looking to put it on the leading edge of my nose strut which is about 1.5 inch diameter tubing with a ca. 6 inch radius, 60 degree bend about 3/4 of the way down. 3M says it may be peeled off, but I've heard otherwise. What's the real story?
Thanks in advance. Barry