Leading edge tapes

[Let'sgoflying!]

I am looking for a different LE tape. I got the plastic type last time and it cracks & lifts too easily.
I need it on my hstab. It prevents a lot of gravel damage to the fabric.
Is there something thicker/more flexible/stickier? (The tape I got last time is almost the same as electric tape.)

 

[EdFred]

I had some on my Cherokee that had to be at least 50-100mil.

But it was on it when I got it, so I don't know what it was. It was more like rubber than tape, though.

I'm a 3M distributor, let me see what I can find. In the mean time, you could always spray FlexSeal on it.

 

[taters]

I am looking for a different LE tape. I got the plastic type last time and it cracks & lifts too easily.
I need it on my hstab. It prevents a lot of gravel damage to the fabric.
Is there something thicker/more flexible/stickier? (The tape I got last time is almost the same as electric tape.)

I found some 3M stuff at an auto body store..put it on the cowling and wheel pants on both PA-28s ....it performed magnificently...there is something at spruce that I used long time ago that also worked very well...might have been the same stuff but it came by the foot if my memory serves.

The big thick stuff turns yellow and get ugly fast..thats a BF goodrich product I believe.

 

[Anticept]

Glider tape is what you want. Bowlus tape is one example: http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/bowlus.htm

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Glider tape is what you want. Bowlus tape is one example: http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/bowlus.htm

hmm not very thick and only 2" but interesting, thanks.

 

[Henning]

3M made a low drag "prismatic surface" tape NASA developed that some of the Americas Cup boats were using a few years back on their bottoms. I always wanted to get hold of some.

 

[ahkahn]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this used for? Smooth tape the rivet lines?

 

[Henning]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is this used for? Smooth tape the rivet lines?

It's normally used to protect the paint, and in his case the fabric, from rock and rain erosion.

 

[ahkahn]

It's normally used to protect the paint, and in his case the fabric, from rock and rain erosion.

Thanks, Henning.

 

[Stewartb]

Fairly thick rubber tape is standard equipment on most Alaskan airplane tails. Mine's about 1/16" thick. After 15 years of flying on and off gravel and parking outside it looks pretty much like it did when it was new. Reeve Airmotive in Anchorage has it on the shelf if memory serves.

 

[kyleb]

http://www.flyboyaccessories.com/Paint-Protection-Film-p/2301.htm

This is the same stuff they sell you at the auto dealer to protect against stone chips.

It is easy to apply and very tough.

 

[Tom-D]

I am looking for a different LE tape. I got the plastic type last time and it cracks & lifts too easily.
I need it on my hstab. It prevents a lot of gravel damage to the fabric.
Is there something thicker/more flexible/stickier? (The tape I got last time is almost the same as electric tape.)

It's called eternabond, google it. it is the most amazing stuff. be absolutely certain you have it where you want it when you pull out the separator film. because you are not going to get it off after that.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

30mil rubber tape: