I'm in the middle of my annual and have removed the Van's supplied UHMW tape from my flaps as it was basically completely broken down (cracked and yellowed) by UV exposure. I use the tape on the underside of the top wing skin and flap surfaces. It did a nice job of protection for the flaps and other areas i.e. gear leg fairing to wheel pant scuffing, tip up canopy contact areas but was getting very brittle and ugly.
I have been searching for a robust alternative to the 3" UHMW and did not want to use stainless tape (aka razor blades on a tape roll). I saw a friend's 7A at a fly-in last year and noticed his flap tape immediately as it was very clear, not scratched and just had a nice professional look to it.
His painter forwarded the source as:
PM Research out of Wellsville NY.
800-724-3798
http://www.papa-mike.com
Very helpful and friendly folks on the phone as well.
It's 3" leading edge tape that will not yellow or breakdown. It comes with an application kit as well. Part number PM3TS 3"X60' (will split the install with a hangar mates 7A). The application method with the tape adhesive uses distilled H2O+70% iso prop alcohol and clear dish soap. You squeegie it into place and work out the wrinkles or bubbles like vinyl graphics.
It is more expensive than Van's at $135 but so was my paint job. I always disliked walking up to my shiny "hurt your eyes" white plane and seeing the yellowed tape on the flaps. PM Research reports the tape as very long lasting ("as long as your paint job") and non yellowing.
Hope this helps someone in the same boat er.. plane...
I have been searching for a robust alternative to the 3" UHMW and did not want to use stainless tape (aka razor blades on a tape roll). I saw a friend's 7A at a fly-in last year and noticed his flap tape immediately as it was very clear, not scratched and just had a nice professional look to it.
His painter forwarded the source as:
PM Research out of Wellsville NY.
800-724-3798
http://www.papa-mike.com
Very helpful and friendly folks on the phone as well.
It's 3" leading edge tape that will not yellow or breakdown. It comes with an application kit as well. Part number PM3TS 3"X60' (will split the install with a hangar mates 7A). The application method with the tape adhesive uses distilled H2O+70% iso prop alcohol and clear dish soap. You squeegie it into place and work out the wrinkles or bubbles like vinyl graphics.
It is more expensive than Van's at $135 but so was my paint job. I always disliked walking up to my shiny "hurt your eyes" white plane and seeing the yellowed tape on the flaps. PM Research reports the tape as very long lasting ("as long as your paint job") and non yellowing.
Hope this helps someone in the same boat er.. plane...