wing tape

[Colin Roney]

Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

[Martin Gregorie[_5_]]

On Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:47:13 +0000, Colin Roney wrote:

> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

I use Maplins electrical white insulation tape. At 19mm x 33m long its
wide enough if put on with care and 7.54 p/m and the shop is on my way to
the airfield.

I notice that Severn Valley Sailplanes also sell 19mm x 33m wing tape at
6.79 p/m but of course there will be P&P added. What's the betting its
the same stuff as Maplins sell? SVS also supply tape in 25mm and 38mm
widths. Maplins only do 19mm tape.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[Chris Rollings[_2_]]

I wonder how long before EASA require us to use only wing tape that comes
with an EASA Form 1?

At 11:56 29 April 2014, Martin Gregorie wrote:
>On Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:47:13 +0000, Colin Roney wrote:
>
>> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?
>
>I use Maplins electrical white insulation tape. At 19mm x 33m long its
>wide enough if put on with care and 7.54 p/m and the shop is on my way to

>the airfield.
>
>I notice that Severn Valley Sailplanes also sell 19mm x 33m wing tape at
>6.79 p/m but of course there will be P&P added. What's the betting its
>the same stuff as Maplins sell? SVS also supply tape in 25mm and 38mm
>widths. Maplins only do 19mm tape.
>
>
>--
>martin@ | Martin Gregorie
>gregorie. | Essex, UK
>org |
>

[John Carlyle]

I use Scotch 3M 35 White Vinyl Electrical Tape at $3 per roll, which I think is the US equivalent to what Martin described.

-John, Q3


On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 7:56:55 AM UTC-4, Martin Gregorie wrote:
> I use Maplins electrical white insulation tape. At 19mm x 33m long its
> wide enough if put on with care and 7.54 p/m and the shop is on my way to
> the airfield.
>
> I notice that Severn Valley Sailplanes also sell 19mm x 33m wing tape at
> 6.79 p/m but of course there will be P&P added. What's the betting its
> the same stuff as Maplins sell? SVS also supply tape in 25mm and 38mm
> widths. Maplins only do 19mm tape.

[jherzog]

It's pricey, but I really like Bowlus Maxi, sold by Cumulus Soaring:

http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/bowlus.htm

It adheres well and is stretchy enough to smoothly follow curves and make it easy to apply.

[Martin Gregorie[_5_]]

On Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:12:24 +0000, Chris Rollings wrote:

> I wonder how long before EASA require us to use only wing tape that
> comes with an EASA Form 1?
>
Just hope they don't read RAS and in the meantime be afraid, be very
afraid....


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[[email protected]]

3M 483 - but it's horrifically expensive. Wings And Wheels dropped it for this reason so I had to get it from ULINE. I've tried all the others but I like 483 best. I feel like I'm setting fire to $5 bills whenever I use it though.

[Dan Marotta]

I can put up with tape that's a bit less stretchy for a difference of $10+
per roll. What's it take, 10 minutes of your soaring day to tape your ship?


> wrote in message
...
> 3M 483 - but it's horrifically expensive. Wings And Wheels dropped it for
> this reason so I had to get it from ULINE. I've tried all the others but I
> like 483 best. I feel like I'm setting fire to $5 bills whenever I use it
> though.

[Mark628CA]

I find it laughable when I see somebody using cheap crappy tape on their $60,000+ glider after they drive up in the $40,000+ SUV. What are you saving? Maybe a nickel a flight? Oh, and don't forget the real misers who SAVE said crappy tape to use the next day, with the additional benefit of the dirt that collects on the sticky side.

I prefer the Bowlus Maxi-Tape. It is by far the best stuff out there, and I saved my money by building a $75,000 hangar. Since I only have to tape up two or three times a year, I expect my investment to pay off about the time the Sun burns out.

[Tony[_5_]]

I like bright red 3M electrical tape.

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

I think this will become the next thing to boost the sales price of used sailplanes. "Only used the highest quality wing tape, applied by a little old lady before flying after church on Sunday." Sort of like a CarFax report..

Bowlus and 3M 483 are nice because they are 1 inch wide, and on some ships that have bigger gaps to be covered, you need more tape width than you get with the 3M 35 tape at 3/4 inch wide. However, on non-planar intersections (Nimbus 3 wing to fuselage joint), wider is not always better.

I have tried several different ones, and I like 3M 35 white tape. I use it once, then throw it away.

[JS]

On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 7:37:44 PM UTC-7, Tony wrote:
> I like bright red 3M electrical tape.

Custom stripes!
Do you use different colors for downwind dash or closed course tasks?

Another vote for Mike Bowlus' stuff. Doubt there are too many gliders requiring more than $2.00 worth.
Jim

[Dan Marotta]

I simply rent hangar space. I'm still using rolls of 3M tape that I picked
up in the early 90s!

Oh, and it was by saving that $100 on tape over the past 20+ years that I
can afford the glider and the SUV.


"Mark628CA" > wrote in message
...
I find it laughable when I see somebody using cheap crappy tape on their
$60,000+ glider after they drive up in the $40,000+ SUV. What are you
saving? Maybe a nickel a flight? Oh, and don't forget the real misers who
SAVE said crappy tape to use the next day, with the additional benefit of
the dirt that collects on the sticky side.

I prefer the Bowlus Maxi-Tape. It is by far the best stuff out there, and I
saved my money by building a $75,000 hangar. Since I only have to tape up
two or three times a year, I expect my investment to pay off about the time
the Sun burns out.

[[email protected]]

"on non-planar intersections (Nimbus 3 wing to fuselage joint), wider is not always better"

You got that right Steve! We got some one inch wide tape for the club gliders last year. With the Grobs the wider tape just made things more difficult..

Wide tape is great for gliders which have a wing root fillet as part of the fuselage so the tape can just be laid flat over the gap - my ASW-15 is like this. I would imagine that except for the trailing edge area the ASW-12 is pretty much the same. I really don't need the ease of stretching and bending the tape around difficult areas but I still like the 483 because it seems to leave much less residue and grips enough to be secure but not so tenaciously that it's difficult to remove at the end of the day. The tape residue problem is in my mind now because I've been slaving away at the annual polishing of the club gliders and I've spent a LOT of time getting year old residue off the gap areas.

I think I'll give the Bowlus tape a try the next time I have to get something from Cumulus. It seems people find it to be as good as the 483 and it's certainly a lot cheaper.

[K]

On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 4:47:13 AM UTC-6, Colin Roney wrote:
> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

I like using white duct tape. I figure when I am cruising at redline between climbs in rough air every extra bit of strength is a plus.

[CindyB[_2_]]

On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 3:47:13 AM UTC-7, Colin Roney wrote:
> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

Once upon a time in a land far away, a pilot chose to use the cheapest tape he
could find on his wing roots. It happened to be 3/4 inch black electrical
cheeeeap tape. Off he went, out and about heavenward. Somewhere hours later on
course, he happened to look at the wingroot. . . . and saw this significant gap
between root and wingskin.

After the startle, the thinking, the realization that his wings were really ON,
and the tape span was not really a gap, he flew home with much thanks for
saving those extra $2 per roll.
He then chose to buy the tape in COLORS, for about $.67 per roll.

For his retirement party, a couple years later, we presented him with about
two dozen rolls of pink, lavender, sky blue, grass green and lemon yellow
CHEEEEPP tape. It can be found in electrical supply stores for labeling
different wiring schemes.
None of us cared about reusability, tape residue or stretch and formabiity.

We only cared about the decorative effect.

With affection,

Cindy B

[lynn]

On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 5:47:13 AM UTC-5, Colin Roney wrote:
> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

I have always liked Scotch 3m white electrician's tape. Just recently purchased two rolls (3/4" x 66 ft.) for $3.92 each at Home Depot.

[Shannon Madsen]

On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:36:21 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> 3M 483 - but it's horrifically expensive. Wings And Wheels dropped it for this reason so I had to get it from ULINE. I've tried all the others but I like 483 best. I feel like I'm setting fire to $5 bills whenever I use it though.

FYI, Amazon has 3m 483 tape on sale again for $8.63/roll, limit 10. Even better, it's eligible for Prime shipping. I had switched to a cheapo tape due to the high prices on 483, but now I am back to the good stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWHRRKW/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

[[email protected]]

> FYI, Amazon has 3m 483 tape on sale again for $8.63/roll, limit 10. Even better, it's eligible for Prime shipping. I had switched to a cheapo tape due to the high prices on 483, but now I am back to the good stuff.
>
>
>
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWHRRKW/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

This stuff must be really good! If you look under "Product Features," fourth bullet point down it says: "Nuclear power plant construction and maintenance."

Wow!

[Dan Marotta]

You can get it in yellow for $5.75/roll:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWHRSWY/ref=biss_dp_t_asn


> wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, May 7, 2014 10:55:59 AM UTC-5, Shannon Madsen wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:36:21 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> > 3M 483 - but it's horrifically expensive. Wings And Wheels dropped it
> for this reason so I had to get it from ULINE. I've tried all the others
> but I like 483 best. I feel like I'm setting fire to $5 bills whenever I
> use it though. FYI, Amazon has 3m 483 tape on sale again for $8.63/roll,
> limit 10. Even better, it's eligible for Prime shipping. I had switched to
> a cheapo tape due to the high prices on 483, but now I am back to the good
> stuff.
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWHRRKW/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

This is a great example of how Amazon.com sets pricing on a "per-customer"
basis - different cusotmers get different prices at differnet times of day,
based on their purchase and browsing history and other things. When I go to
the above link my price is $19.63 per roll, which is a discount of only
$1.46 off of the list price of $21.09 per roll.

Robert

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, May 7, 2014 10:55:59 AM UTC-5, Shannon Madsen wrote:
> On Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:36:21 AM UTC-7, wrote: > 3M 483 - but it's horrifically expensive. Wings And Wheels dropped it for this reason so I had to get it from ULINE. I've tried all the others but I like 483 best. I feel like I'm setting fire to $5 bills whenever I use it though. FYI, Amazon has 3m 483 tape on sale again for $8.63/roll, limit 10.. Even better, it's eligible for Prime shipping. I had switched to a cheapo tape due to the high prices on 483, but now I am back to the good stuff. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AWHRRKW/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1

This is a great example of how Amazon.com sets pricing on a "per-customer" basis - different cusotmers get different prices at differnet times of day, based on their purchase and browsing history and other things. When I go to the above link my price is $19.63 per roll, which is a discount of only $1.46 off of the list price of $21.09 per roll.

Robert

[[email protected]]

"This stuff must be really good! If you look under "Product Features," fourth bullet point down it says: "Nuclear power plant construction and maintenance."

Yeah, I've actually read the product spec sheet on 3M's website with some degree of amusement trying to find out what this tape was originally intended for!

[Nigel Pocock[_2_]]

Is it possible or practicable to use relective wing tape?
Some time ago conspuity tests determined that a reflective surface on a
glider was more visible than a plain colour such as red or black. So maybe
it could serve a dual purpose.

>

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 6:47:13 AM UTC-4, Colin Roney wrote:
> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

Ask Dan Johnson what kind of tape he uses:

http://www.aviationbanter.com/showthread.php?t=80887

That's the stuff you want.

:-)

Evan Ludeman

[Tony V]

On 5/7/2014 1:27 PM, Dan Marotta wrote:
> You can get it in yellow for $5.75/roll:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWHRSWY/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

My 2 rolls of 'white' tape arrived on Friday. If the gelcoat on your
ship is old and yellowing, the color of the tape should match perfectly.

Tony

[[email protected]]

On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 11:47:13 AM UTC+1, Colin Roney wrote:
> Where and what product is the best white wing tape to be bought?

I've travelled back through time from 2020, my wings didn't fall off or get flies in them and I didn't stall and this thread is just as amusing as it was thank you so much.

[Ben Hirashima]

I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?

[Dan Marotta]

I've used 3M white electrical tape when I was flying a single seater.Â*
It worked very well but, if left on for a long time (my ship was
hangared), it leaves a gummy residue when removed.Â* That's easy enough
to clean up with acetone or tape residue remover.

On 8/8/2020 11:04 PM, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?

--
Dan, 5J

[John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net]

Ben,

About your comment that, "...but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose." Why do you feel that the tape sinking into the gap between the wing root and the fuselage is something to be avoided?

To me the main purpose of wing tape is to seal the gap against air intrusion, not necessarily to continue the wing's airfoil without deformation. It seems that all wing tape "sinks" to one extent or another.

My $0.02.

[Richard Pfiffner[_2_]]

On Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 10:04:44 PM UTC-7, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?

Ben,

The Craggy tape is the exact same as Bowlus.

Richard

[AS]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:04:44 AM UTC-4, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?

Ben - if the tape is 'sinking into the gaps', especially when going around the leading edge, you may have stretched it too much before applying it to the surface. After unrolling a length, just stick the first inch or so into the surface and wait for the vinyl to contract again, then apply it without a lot of pull-force.
BTW - take a look at https://www.tapedepot.com/ If it comes on a roll and is sticky on at least one side, they have it. As far as the white vinyl goes, the quality is at least that of the 3M brand but they sell it for way less. They even carry special sizes like 1" or 2" or the textile tape used on the rudder. Look for 'Gaffer Tape'.

Uli
'AS'

[Richard Pfiffner[_2_]]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 2:26:29 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:04:44 AM UTC-4, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> > I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it.. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?
>
> Ben - if the tape is 'sinking into the gaps', especially when going around the leading edge, you may have stretched it too much before applying it to the surface. After unrolling a length, just stick the first inch or so into the surface and wait for the vinyl to contract again, then apply it without a lot of pull-force.
> BTW - take a look at https://www.tapedepot.com/ If it comes on a roll and is sticky on at least one side, they have it. As far as the white vinyl goes, the quality is at least that of the 3M brand but they sell it for way less. They even carry special sizes like 1" or 2" or the textile tape used on the rudder. Look for 'Gaffer Tape'.
>
> Uli
> 'AS'

Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.

Richard

[[email protected]]

> Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.

Also much thicker.

[AS]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 6:59:22 PM UTC-4, Richard Pfiffner wrote:
> On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 2:26:29 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:04:44 AM UTC-4, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> > > I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?
> >
> > Ben - if the tape is 'sinking into the gaps', especially when going around the leading edge, you may have stretched it too much before applying it to the surface. After unrolling a length, just stick the first inch or so into the surface and wait for the vinyl to contract again, then apply it without a lot of pull-force.
> > BTW - take a look at https://www.tapedepot.com/ If it comes on a roll and is sticky on at least one side, they have it. As far as the white vinyl goes, the quality is at least that of the 3M brand but they sell it for way less. They even carry special sizes like 1" or 2" or the textile tape used on the rudder. Look for 'Gaffer Tape'.
> >
> > Uli
> > 'AS'
>
> Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.
>
> Richard

Where does it need to stretch? Not stretching is the whole point!

Uli
'AS'

[2G]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 4:59:39 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 6:59:22 PM UTC-4, Richard Pfiffner wrote:
> > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 2:26:29 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> > > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:04:44 AM UTC-4, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> > > > I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?
> > >
> > > Ben - if the tape is 'sinking into the gaps', especially when going around the leading edge, you may have stretched it too much before applying it to the surface. After unrolling a length, just stick the first inch or so into the surface and wait for the vinyl to contract again, then apply it without a lot of pull-force.
> > > BTW - take a look at https://www.tapedepot.com/ If it comes on a roll and is sticky on at least one side, they have it. As far as the white vinyl goes, the quality is at least that of the 3M brand but they sell it for way less. They even carry special sizes like 1" or 2" or the textile tape used on the rudder. Look for 'Gaffer Tape'.
> > >
> > > Uli
> > > 'AS'
> >
> > Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.
> >
> > Richard
> Where does it need to stretch? Not stretching is the whole point!
>
> Uli
> 'AS'

[2G]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 4:59:39 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 6:59:22 PM UTC-4, Richard Pfiffner wrote:
> > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 2:26:29 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> > > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:04:44 AM UTC-4, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> > > > I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?
> > >
> > > Ben - if the tape is 'sinking into the gaps', especially when going around the leading edge, you may have stretched it too much before applying it to the surface. After unrolling a length, just stick the first inch or so into the surface and wait for the vinyl to contract again, then apply it without a lot of pull-force.
> > > BTW - take a look at https://www.tapedepot.com/ If it comes on a roll and is sticky on at least one side, they have it. As far as the white vinyl goes, the quality is at least that of the 3M brand but they sell it for way less. They even carry special sizes like 1" or 2" or the textile tape used on the rudder. Look for 'Gaffer Tape'.
> > >
> > > Uli
> > > 'AS'
> >
> > Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.
> >
> > Richard
> Where does it need to stretch? Not stretching is the whole point!
>
> Uli
> 'AS'

When the wing flexes the tape can be stretched repeatedly a small amount. And a tape's ability to stretch is reduced when exposed to cold temperatures of high altitude. After having the glider assembled for weeks at a time I see splits in even the excellent 3M electricians' tape I use.

Tom

[AS]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 8:55:30 PM UTC-4, 2G wrote:
> On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 4:59:39 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 6:59:22 PM UTC-4, Richard Pfiffner wrote:
> > > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 2:26:29 PM UTC-7, AS wrote:
> > > > On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 1:04:44 AM UTC-4, Ben Hirashima wrote:
> > > > > I've been using the wing tape sold by Craggy, but I'm not happy with it. It's very stretchy, which is good, but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose. Do the Bowlus or 3M tapes sink into the gap?
> > > >
> > > > Ben - if the tape is 'sinking into the gaps', especially when going around the leading edge, you may have stretched it too much before applying it to the surface. After unrolling a length, just stick the first inch or so into the surface and wait for the vinyl to contract again, then apply it without a lot of pull-force.
> > > > BTW - take a look at https://www.tapedepot.com/ If it comes on a roll and is sticky on at least one side, they have it. As far as the white vinyl goes, the quality is at least that of the 3M brand but they sell it for way less. They even carry special sizes like 1" or 2" or the textile tape used on the rudder. Look for 'Gaffer Tape'.
> > > >
> > > > Uli
> > > > 'AS'
> > >
> > > Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.
> > >
> > > Richard
> > Where does it need to stretch? Not stretching is the whole point!
> >
> > Uli
> > 'AS'
>
> When the wing flexes the tape can be stretched repeatedly a small amount. And a tape's ability to stretch is reduced when exposed to cold temperatures of high altitude. After having the glider assembled for weeks at a time I see splits in even the excellent 3M electricians' tape I use.
>
> Tom

Tom - please read the last part of my original post. I am talking about the cloth tape used on the rudder - not the vinyl tape that holds the wings on! ;-)

Uli
'AS'

[Ben Hirashima]

On Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 8:17:11 AM UTC-7, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
> Ben,
>
> About your comment that, "...but it sinks into the gaps that it's covering, which sort of defeats the purpose." Why do you feel that the tape sinking into the gap between the wing root and the fuselage is something to be avoided?
>
> To me the main purpose of wing tape is to seal the gap against air intrusion, not necessarily to continue the wing's airfoil without deformation. It seems that all wing tape "sinks" to one extent or another.
>
> My $0.02.

If the main purpose of wing tape is to seal against air intrusion, that problem could be better solved with a simple rubber gasket where the wing joins the fuselage.

It's just common sense that you would not want any departures from a smooth surface at the wing root. If you want to claim that it doesn't make a difference aerodynamically, then show me the data.

[Tim Taylor]

The best tape is the 3M 483, but the price has gotten so out of hand that it is hard to justify. It will not sink in as much as the other tapes. One option is to make some thin mylar covers that you tape over with the softer tape. This will prevent the tape from sinking into the gap.

I still have a few rolls of 483 that use only when I can’t use something else. I have been researching alternatives and looking to buy some to test.

3M white electrical tape is what I use for anything that doesn’t need 483.

[Michael Opitz]

At 17:59 10 August 2020, Tim Taylor wrote:
>The best tape is the 3M 483, but the price has gotten so out of
hand that
>i=
>t is hard to justify. It will not sink in as much as the other tapes.
>One=
> option is to make some thin mylar covers that you tape over with
the
>softe=
>r tape. This will prevent the tape from sinking into the gap. =20
>
>I still have a few rolls of 483 that use only when I can=E2=80=99t
use
>some=
>thing else. I have been researching alternatives and looking to
buy some
>t=
>o test.=20
>
>3M white electrical tape is what I use for anything that
doesn=E2=80=99t
>ne=
>ed 483.
>

One of our club members was a master machinist and came up with
the idea to slice the 1" 483 tape into 1/2" rolls in order to double
the amount of uses one could get from an expensive roll of that
tape. Unfortunately, he passed away, but beforehand had cut me
about 15 rolls of it. It lasted me for years, but as I finally neared
the end of my supply, I Googled the 483 tape and looked for
equivalents from sources other than 3M. I found something similar,
but just a little stiffer, on a closeout in 2" x 60!! yard rolls which I
bought and had another club machinist slice into 4 x 1/2" - 60!!
yard rolls. Due to its length, one roll will go for a long time. I
probably have 20 or 30 rolls left, so if you want to try one, send me
an email. $10 + shipping. Pics at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/deSxU1mUj7XctTXY7

RO

[Richard Pfiffner[_2_]]

On Monday, August 10, 2020 at 10:59:48 AM UTC-7, Tim Taylor wrote:
> The best tape is the 3M 483, but the price has gotten so out of hand that it is hard to justify. It will not sink in as much as the other tapes. One option is to make some thin mylar covers that you tape over with the softer tape. This will prevent the tape from sinking into the gap.
>
> I still have a few rolls of 483 that use only when I can’t use something else. I have been researching alternatives and looking to buy some to test.
>
> 3M white electrical tape is what I use for anything that doesn’t need 483.

Why is this the best?????

[Don Grillo[_2_]]

My question is, With Wing and tail tape on why do I get a very loud howling when I Fly faster than 90 knots. And get no howling if I don’t tape the wings and tail.?
LAK17a/18.
I don’t mean to hijack this thread.

[Tango Eight]

On Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 8:26:17 AM UTC-4, Don Grillo wrote:
> My question is, With Wing and tail tape on why do I get a very loud howling when I Fly faster than 90 knots. And get no howling if I don’t tape the wings and tail.?
> LAK17a/18.
> I don’t mean to hijack this thread.

90% of the time this is a loose tape edge on lower wing root, 6 - 12" in front of trailing edge. Inspect with pocket knife or similar after flight. It may still look sealed.

T8

[ProfJ]

On Sunday, 9 August 2020 at 17:10:32 UTC-6, wrote:
> > Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.
> Also much thicker.
Gaffer tape is designed specifically not to leave glue residue behind when removed (specifically useful eg. in the film industry, where tape has to be applied to carpets, clothing, sets etc.). It's basically less-sticky duct tape. I wouldn't use it on a glider, unless you have a phobia about glue residue.

[AS]

On Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 12:07:34 AM UTC-4, ProfJ wrote:
> On Sunday, 9 August 2020 at 17:10:32 UTC-6, wrote:
> > > Gaffers tape is a polyurethane over a cloth laminate and may not stretch the way you require.
> > Also much thicker.
> Gaffer tape is designed specifically not to leave glue residue behind when removed (specifically useful eg. in the film industry, where tape has to be applied to carpets, clothing, sets etc.). It's basically less-sticky duct tape. I wouldn't use it on a glider, unless you have a phobia about glue residue.

I put mine on two seasons ago and it hasn't come off yet. I guess it has something to do with good surface preparation as well.

Uli
'AS'