wing tape

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'

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

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

Also much thicker.

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.

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'

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'

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'

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

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'