Solvent for Gap-Seal tape prep

I used some Mylar that came with adhesive applied and the customer returned after one wing shed its top Mylar after he took the bird near redline! That's when I decided the process needed better "tooth"! Without sanding you are asking the adhesive to hold one smooth surface to another smooth surface.. I have had no problem since I started sanding both sides with 200 grit and wiping both sides with Acetone just before application. Also, when replacing the transition tape, be sure to wipe the area with Acetone just before applying the new tape..............remember the bailout at Uvalde after the newly applied transition tape lifted and the pilot thought he was unable to maintain pitch control. The pilot had removed old transition tape, waxed the bird and then re-applied new transition tape over the wax!
JJ

wrote on 8/14/2017 6:24 AM:
I used some Mylar that came with adhesive applied and the customer returned after one wing shed its top Mylar after he took the bird near redline! That's when I decided the process needed better "tooth"! Without sanding you are asking the adhesive to hold one smooth surface to another smooth surface.

Did you determine the transfer tape came off the Mylar and not the wing?

I don't see any inherent problem with adhesive adhering to a smooth surface, and
never had the tape come off the Mylar, but it has come off the glider. What
preparation do the transfer tape and/or Mylar manufacturers recommend?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Dec 2014a" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm

http://soaringsafety.org/prevention/...anes-2014A.pdf

I just had the lower surface mylars replaced on my wings. Fidel used
acetone and cleaned the surface well. No other prep. My glider has PU
paint.

On 8/14/2017 8:59 PM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
wrote on 8/14/2017 6:24 AM:
I used some Mylar that came with adhesive applied and the customer
returned after one wing shed its top Mylar after he took the bird
near redline! That's when I decided the process needed better
"tooth"! Without sanding you are asking the adhesive to hold one
smooth surface to another smooth surface.

Did you determine the transfer tape came off the Mylar and not the wing?

I don't see any inherent problem with adhesive adhering to a smooth
surface, and never had the tape come off the Mylar, but it has come
off the glider. What preparation do the transfer tape and/or Mylar
manufacturers recommend?


--
Dan, 5J

On Monday, August 14, 2017 at 10:59:48 PM UTC-4, Eric Greenwell wrote:
wrote on 8/14/2017 6:24 AM:
I used some Mylar that came with adhesive applied and the customer returned after one wing shed its top Mylar after he took the bird near redline! That's when I decided the process needed better "tooth"! Without sanding you are asking the adhesive to hold one smooth surface to another smooth surface.

Did you determine the transfer tape came off the Mylar and not the wing?

I don't see any inherent problem with adhesive adhering to a smooth surface, and
never had the tape come off the Mylar, but it has come off the glider. What
preparation do the transfer tape and/or Mylar manufacturers recommend?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Dec 2014a" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm

http://soaringsafety.org/prevention/...anes-2014A.pdf

I have encountered the same issue JJ described. As a consequence I always scuff seals as he described.
FWIW
UH