UHMW Adhesive Removal Solution

[vfrazier]

BTW, when you get that nasty UHMW tape off, use this 3M paint protection film in its place. It won't yellow, and will likely last the life of the plane. And if you do need to remove it, it will come off easily for up to 8+ years in my experience. Good stuff.

paint protection film

[Master Designs]

Vince- YUP! I've had webpage for your 4" tape laying on my desk for a month to remind me to order some. I measured the old tape that's installed on my wings and it was 4". Is 4" the most popular for wings and/or is that what you recommend?

[Pat Stewart]

This may have been posted in the previous thread but just in case it wasnt. Apply the teflon tape to the inside of the upper trailing edge of the wing along the full length of the flap. Do not apply to your flaps.

Pat

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Pat Stewart

This may have been posted in the previous thread but just in case it wasnt. Apply the teflon tape to the inside of the upper trailing edge of the wing along the full length of the flap. Do not apply to your flaps.

Pat

I know a lot of folks are doing that Pat, and it certainly solves the problem of visible, yellowing tape. My concern, however, is that the tape tends to pick up very fine grit, and the scraping action against the mating surface then creates scratches. With the tape on the flaps, the tape gets scratched (as does the underside of the wing skin). With the tape on the underside of the wing skin, the scratches are going to go into the paint on the leading edge of the flap. Personally, I would rather replace the tape than repaint the flap when it gets ratty - next time, I am going to try Vince's tape instead of the UHMW.

As usual, folks should make their own decisions - none of this will make your airplane fall out of the sky.

Paul

[vfrazier]

Paul is correct. It is far easier to simply replace the tape on the flap than to polish scratches out.

A typical RV uses the 4" tape, about 10' long since the flaps are 5' long on most RVs. RV-10's are longer.

I put this stuff on my Rocket flaps in 2003 and it still looks like new. I put it in various other spots, under fairings, etc. and can vouch that you really can remove it many years later with no problems.

And it's just not that expensive!!!! A $25 piece will cover the flaps. Compared to the $4000 (or more) that a typical paint job costs, it's chump change.

[Pat Stewart]

I've built three RV's without that problem. Maybe I have just been lucky.

Pat

[vfrazier]

Kinda depends on how much grit is in your area and how many scratches/scuffs you can tolerate.

The PPF, properly installed, is virtually invisible and practically bulletproof.

[rjbob]

Originally Posted by vfrazier

Kinda depends on how much grit is in your area and how many scratches/scuffs you can tolerate.

The PPF, properly installed, is virtually invisible and practically bulletproof.

This is a thread SO WORTHY of bringing back to daylight.

[Jimd]

The link didn't work for me. Is the PPF a 3M product? I may do this as part of my inspection this year. Starting to look a bit yellow and peel at the ends.

Jim

[rolivi]

I'm getting ready to use the eraser to get the adhesive from my wing walk grip strips off. I'm replacing the the three strips with the Vans rectangular strip with the model number on it.

Fingers crossed.