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3M™ Polyurethane Protective Tape 8672

Louise Hose

Louise Hose

Well Known Member
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As I am finishing up the skins on the main wing structure and moving onto finishing the flap and aileron coves (p. 32-10), I found this product called out. I'm seeing prices starting at about $150! For tape! Plus $38 for shipping from AS. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/protectiveLeading.php What are others using or have done?

I happened to be driving within a couple miles of AS early next week and could pick up a roll but, if I use this product, it would be nice to share the cost as I'm seeing the smallest quantity to be 36 yards! Any Nevada or Northern California folks want to come in on the purchase?
 
Knowing the length required might also help with a cost-splitting. How many yards of the 36 yard roll would each build need (with a little extra for mistakes)?
 
Louise Hose said:
As I am finishing up the skins on the main wing structure and moving onto finishing the flap and aileron coves (p. 32-10), I found this product called out. I'm seeing prices starting at about $150! For tape! Plus $38 for shipping from AS. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/protectiveLeading.php What are others using or have done?

I happened to be driving within a couple miles of AS early next week and could pick up a roll but, if I use this product, it would be nice to share the cost as I'm seeing the smallest quantity to be 36 yards! Any Nevada or Northern California folks want to come in on the purchase?
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I would check again. Have bought several times for my prop and AS always sold it by the foot. I suspect folks on amazon also sell in smaller quantities. Though you have to watch for counterfeits there.
 
chriscrewdson said:
Knowing the length required might also help with a cost-splitting. How many yards of the 36 yard roll would each build need (with a little extra for mistakes)?
Click to expand...
Looks like about 8'9", so 2x9' or 6 yards. Looks likely that I'll go by AS next week since several "locals" have signed on to help buy some. I can ask AS about purchase by the foot. Although, 5 times 6 yards probably makes it worthwhile to buy the 36 yard roll.
 
Scott Mcd' pointed out in another thread about this tape; That in similar applications on other aircraft, builders often wait until after paint to install.
 
Louise Hose said:
As I am finishing up the skins on the main wing structure and moving onto finishing the flap and aileron coves (p. 32-10), I found this product called out. I'm seeing prices starting at about $150! For tape! Plus $38 for shipping from AS. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/protectiveLeading.php What are others using or have done?

I happened to be driving within a couple miles of AS early next week and could pick up a roll but, if I use this product, it would be nice to share the cost as I'm seeing the smallest quantity to be 36 yards! Any Nevada or Northern California folks want to come in on the purchase?
Click to expand...
Get it from Amazon. UHMW or Wear Tape. If you are using it for flaps or ailerons put it on the bottom edge of the wing overhang after you paint. The tape only needs to be about 1-1 1/2" wide placed at the edge. that's the closest point that the surfaces might touch. Most people put it on the control surface and that's the wrong place to put it.
 
I would caution against putting this stuff on anything you are going to paint later. It is very difficult to remove.

Another watch out is that many of these types of tape will turn yellow over time. When that happens it looks really bad.
 
Brantel said:
I would caution against putting this stuff on anything you are going to paint later. It is very difficult to remove.

Another watch out is that many of these types of tape will turn yellow over time. When that happens it looks really bad.
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Yep.. Much better to install on the upper surface of the trailing edge skin vs on the flap as mentioned above.
 
I finished the flap (and aileron) coves today which gave me the opportunity to measure the width of the tape needed: 21/32" (5/8"). So, it looks like we need abut 6 yards of 1" (or 5/8", if available) tape. We also realized today that it will be very easy to mask the tape with painter's tape before painting so I see no reason to not put the tape of the primered (or bare) surface before painting.
 
Louise Hose said:
I finished the flap (and aileron) coves today which gave me the opportunity to measure the width of the tape needed: 21/32" (5/8"). So, it looks like we need abut 6 yards of 1" (or 5/8", if available) tape. We also realized today that it will be very easy to mask the tape with painter's tape before painting so I see no reason to not put the tape of the primered (or bare) surface before painting.
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Thank you for sharing!
 
Bearman said:
Get it from Amazon. UHMW or Wear Tape. If you are using it for flaps or ailerons put it on the bottom edge of the wing overhang after you paint. The tape only needs to be about 1-1 1/2" wide placed at the edge. that's the closest point that the surfaces might touch. Most people put it on the control surface and that's the wrong place to put it.
Click to expand...
I had this on the bottom of my RV7 wing and the UHWM curled after the wing because the adhesive crept out to the flap surface. So - my experience would say put it on the control surface. My painter put some 3M clear (non-yellowing) material instead of the UHMW polyethylene material. It is soft and sticks to the skin so it judders when moving. YMMV of course, but I had rather replace the UHWM than have the stick-slip of the urethane material. I have a technique that is easy and low risk for replacement.

The clear urethane is perfect for small particle impacts as it is softer and does not frost or erode as easily. Leading edges etc are favorite uses.
 
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