Anti-chafe tape

[Vance Harral]

Our 1976 M20F has anti-chafe tape applied in the following locations:

 

1) overlap between empennage and empennage fairing, i.e. the interface that slides when the trim is operated

2) overlap between cowl edges and fuselage/nose stringers

3) interior of cowl where it rubs against the cooling baffles

4) edges of oil filler door

5) nose gear doors (I don't know why it's only on the nose and not on the mains)

 

I confess I have no idea if these are "approved" or "recommended" applications for anti-chafe.  The tape was there when we bought the airplane 10 years ago, and I've replaced bits and pieces of it over the years.  I've always used "Teflon anti-chafe tape" from Aircraft Spruce for this: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/teflonantichafetape.php

 

I like having the anti-chafe tape, but it gets ratty and annoying in a hurry.  The only place it really seems to hold up well is on the empennage.  Everywhere else, it peels away not long after installation, no matter how much I clean the application area (I've tried both mild and harsh solvents).  I pulled it off the nose gear doors a while back because it wouldn't stay put and the chafing doesn't seem too bad there.  But when I pulled it off the cowl/baffle interface a few oil changes ago, there was visible wear in the metal cowl surface by the next oil change, so I put it back.  Now it's peeling off there and other places once again.

 

I tried to research better solutions tonight, but there are a bewildering array of suggestions on the various forums: everything from very high dollar "aircraft" tape, down to plain old 3M tape from the "FAA/PMA section of Home Depot" (not that the "aircraft" tape is FAA/PMA approved anyway...)  There's thin and thick tape, teflon and silicon, fiberglass reinforced, various adhesives, etc.  The stuff you see on Aircraft Spruce, Chief, etc. is pretty spendy for experimentation, so I'm turning to my fellow Mooney drivers for advice.  What are the rest of you using in the above listed areas, if anything?

 

Thanks,

VQ

[rbridges]

I have that exact tape where the cowling attaches to the fuselage.  I also have it on my cowl flap that rests against my powerflo exhaust.  I just used a good degreaser, and it has held relatively well.  

[mike_elliott]

as posted on aviating.com, I really like this stuff....

http://www.mcmaster.com/#uhmw-polyethylene-tape/=vcu124

[jetdriven]

I use the McMaster UHMW tape but beware, the UV ruins this stuff after a year. It turns brown and gets near impossible to remove, it breaks into little chips when you try to remove it. Under the edge of the boot cowl is fine, but for lower gear doors on white paint it looks like crap and is hell to remove.

[Marauder]

I have a 1975 F and the only place I have it is on the empennage.

[Piloto]

The majority of the parts in airplane are not individually FAA approved. The keys you put in the magneto switch are probably copies from Home Depot. The type of anti-chafe material is not the same for all applications. For the gear doors I use thin plastic material and for the cowling mounting perimeter I use the flat rope like material. So far it has lasted 20 years.

 

José

[jetdriven]

The rope stuff is for Cessna's but if you put it on a Mooney cowl, get ready to change the fasteners for ones that are -2 or -3 longer, and a cowling that wont sit flat with the rest of the plane. The .010 McMaster Car stuff is about as thick as you can get on the boot cowl without problems.  In fact, the fiberglass is only .110 thick. What do you think happens to your flush cowl when you put 1/16" of rope style chafe material under that.

 

 

[Cabanaboy]

My parts manual list 3M 5421 Anti-chafing Tape

I found some on Unline web site, clear, pretty good product.

3M 5421 UHMW Film Tape- 1" x 18 yards

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-10316/3M-Single-Coated-Tapes/3M-5421-UHMW-Film-Tape-1-x-18-yards

 

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-UHMW-Film-Tape-5421?N=5472110+3294276080&rt=rud

[Vance Harral]

Thanks for the thoughts, all, I'll check out the alternatives.  The 3M 5241 is even more expensive than the generic stuff from Spruce, though.  The McMaster-Carr stuff is a tempting alternative, UV issues not withstanding.  We get plenty of sun here in Colorado, but our bird is only outdoors when it's actually flying, so maybe/hopefully less of an issue if we just replace it every annual or two.

[Hank]

I only have it under the cowl, where things rub, often against the inside of the cowling itself.

 

Works great, lasts long time. 

[kortopates]

My parts manual list 3M 5421 Anti-chafing Tape

I found some on Unline web site, clear, pretty good product.

3M 5421 UHMW Film Tape- 1" x 18 yards

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-10316/3M-Single-Coated-Tapes/3M-5421-UHMW-Film-Tape-1-x-18-yards

 

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Products/~/3M-UHMW-Film-Tape-5421?N=5472110+3294276080&rt=rud

 

Its also available from Amazon a bit cheaper. I prefer the 2" width because 1" requires 2 overlapping pieces to cover my cowling. Other  sizes such as 1.5" are available, but i only see the 1.5" available in 5 yds  and slightly wider ones in 36 yds which gets expensive.

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000SPLDI0/ref=biss_dp_t_asn 

[jetdriven]

How does 5421 tape do with UV? I use it on the bottom of the wing for the landing gear doors, but the UV wrecks the McMaster Carr stuff. The super sticky version performs outstanding under the cowl where it is protected.

[mike_elliott]

Thanks for the thoughts, all, I'll check out the alternatives.  The 3M 5241 is even more expensive than the generic stuff from Spruce, though.  The McMaster-Carr stuff is a tempting alternative, UV issues not withstanding.  We get plenty of sun here in Colorado, but our bird is only outdoors when it's actually flying, so maybe/hopefully less of an issue if we just replace it every annual or two.

Personally, I didn't have an issue with the McMaster Carr UHMW tape deteriorating from UV, but I also kept my plane in a hanger. All bets are off if outside I suppose. I did put some on my gear doors, but they were maroon, and I also put some where the flaps were starting a chafe on the wing. This was white and looked great after 3 years or so of use. I am not saying Byron was wrong, just probably has a different, more hostile environment his plane is in. Indy and Florida plus hanger wasn't an issue  

[cujet]

The "Aircraft Spruce" teflon anti chafe tape does not remain in place all that well. The glue used is not sufficient for many applications and if the tape is not mechanically held in place, it will peel off. Generally within a few days here in Florida. 

 

However, I've had success with the tape and 3M adhesion promoter/primer. It's a brush on product designed for 3M tapes. If I don't use the adhesion promoter/primer, my helicopter blade "leading edge" tape repairs won't remain in place. At the moment, I can't recall the 3M part number for the product. Edit: Here is is. This stuff works wonders! 

 

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/cs/3m_tapes_specialtyTapes/protectiveLeadinga3.php

 

Also I've had better success with 3M's 8674 polyurethane "leading edge" tape. It's the non yellowing stuff, and when used with the above primer, sticks properly. 

[Zulee]

I tried to order the 3M 5421 and on ULine it appears to be by the case. Can you order singles or only by the case?

[shawnd]

Bringing up an old topic but wanted to add some information to the thread to help others out. You can buy individual 3M's 5421 from this page on ULine:

https://www.uline.com/BL_6117/3M-5421-UHMW-Film-Tape

NOTE: The 3M Adhesion Promoter 86A pictured in the post above turns out is not recommended to be used on aluminum so usage for the cowling looks like a no-go.

"It is not intended for use where the acrylic adhesive would be in direct contact with aluminum, stainless steel, carbon, steel or glass."
Source: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40065478/?preselect=8762770

Looked through the other adhesion promoters on 3M's site but none fit the bill. If anyone is aware of any for Polyethylene - let us know!

Shawn

[RobertGary1]

I was eating through oil door latches. Turns out that anti chafe tape was adding tension to the latches and grinding out where the pin runs in them. Those little suckers are expensive too and riveting them is time consuming.

 

-robert

[A64Pilot]

I use the brown 1” wide teflon anti chafe tape, if you clean the area well with acetone it sticks better, acetone slightly softens the paint, heat and rubbing it on also helps.

I put it every where that chafes, I even put it in the bottom of the baggage compt opening for dragging things in and out. But it’s on all three gear doors, whever the paint has chafed through, it last about six months, oil gets it the worst.

But I clean the area and reapply, knowing that stops chaffing. I see it like tires and brake pads, it’s a wear item and has to be replaced every so often.

That clear tape works, but it breaks down fast, gets gooey and sticky. I like the teflon because it’s so thin that Camlocs etc aren’t affected.

[shawnd]

7 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

I use the brown 1” wide teflon anti chafe tape, if you clean the area well with acetone it sticks better, acetone slightly softens the paint, heat and rubbing it on also helps.

Thanks A64Pilot...QQ: by brown 1" wide teflon, you mean: Teflon™ Coated Fiberglass Anti-Chafe Tape?

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/tefloncoatedtape.php?clickkey=6458

[hammdo]

I like this;

https://www.amazon.com/Ferociously-Strong-Repair-Inches-241535/dp/B06Y6PHWY6?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
 

works well…

-Don 

[shawnd]

And another question - guessing 0.5 mm is the standard to use for cowling? AS has a 1 mm option as well

[Vance Harral]

Ah, my old topic has been resurrected.

My primary contribution at this point is to say that @jetdriven was absolutely right about the McMaster UHMW tape aging poorly, even on hangared aircraft.  I bought a large roll of this stuff because it was an inexpensive alternative (I'm as much of a CB as anyone!) and put it in several places on the airplane.  I really wish I hadn't - especially at the interface between the cheek cowl panels and the fuselage/nose bowl, which you can see in the pic below.  It has caused permanent cosmetic damage to our aircraft in that highly visible location.  The adhesive turned a horrible shade of yellow in less than a year.  I tried removing the tape shortly after it did, but only the top layer of clear film came off, leaving behind a permanent stain that I've found impossible to remove, despite numerous attempts with plenty of elbow grease, and even with harsh solvents.  Our airplane has never been a beauty queen, so the impact of my mistake is small, and I don't lose much sleep over it.  But if I'd had a show winning paint job, I'd be absolutely heartbroken about it.  Stay away from the "cheap" UHMW tape at all costs.

 

[A64Pilot]

13 hours ago, shawnd said:

Thanks A64Pilot...QQ: by brown 1" wide teflon, you mean: Teflon™ Coated Fiberglass Anti-Chafe Tape?

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/tefloncoatedtape.php?clickkey=6458

Yes, what you linked to exactly. I have several rolls left over from work. Crazy as this may sound one benefit to it is it’s not hard to remove and leaves pretty much no residue. Some tapes become almost permanent.

[A64Pilot]

6 hours ago, Vance Harral said:

Ah, my old topic has been resurrected.

My primary contribution at this point is to say that @jetdriven was absolutely right about the McMaster UHMW tape aging poorly, even on hangared aircraft.  I bought a large roll of this stuff because it was an inexpensive alternative (I'm as much of a CB as anyone!) and put it in several places on the airplane.  I really wish I hadn't - especially at the interface between the cheek cowl panels and the fuselage/nose bowl, which you can see in the pic below.  It has caused permanent cosmetic damage to our aircraft in that highly visible location.  The adhesive turned a horrible shade of yellow in less than a year.  I tried removing the tape shortly after it did, but only the top layer of clear film came off, leaving behind a permanent stain that I've found impossible to remove, despite numerous attempts with plenty of elbow grease, and even with harsh solvents.  Our airplane has never been a beauty queen, so the impact of my mistake is small, and I don't lose much sleep over it.  But if I'd had a show winning paint job, I'd be absolutely heartbroken about it.  Stay away from the "cheap" UHMW tape at all costs.

 

My Maule had that stuff on both wing leading edges, leading edges of the landing gear, horizontal and V struts on the horizontal and wing struts put on by prior owner for protection from something.

I had to remove and strip the metal components and when I recovered the fabric tail and fuselage to get rid of it, yellowing is it’s first step, it then progresses to turning gooey, cracking and having something grow in it that’s black, mold maybe?

[PT20J]

9 hours ago, Vance Harral said:

Ah, my old topic has been resurrected.

My primary contribution at this point is to say that @jetdriven was absolutely right about the McMaster UHMW tape aging poorly, even on hangared aircraft.  I bought a large roll of this stuff because it was an inexpensive alternative (I'm as much of a CB as anyone!) and put it in several places on the airplane.  I really wish I hadn't - especially at the interface between the cheek cowl panels and the fuselage/nose bowl, which you can see in the pic below.  It has caused permanent cosmetic damage to our aircraft in that highly visible location.  The adhesive turned a horrible shade of yellow in less than a year.  I tried removing the tape shortly after it did, but only the top layer of clear film came off, leaving behind a permanent stain that I've found impossible to remove, despite numerous attempts with plenty of elbow grease, and even with harsh solvents.  Our airplane has never been a beauty queen, so the impact of my mistake is small, and I don't lose much sleep over it.  But if I'd had a show winning paint job, I'd be absolutely heartbroken about it.  Stay away from the "cheap" UHMW tape at all costs.

 

Interesting. It sounds like the adhesive is the problem. I got some Tapecase 423 UHMW 3 mil and 10 mil tape and used it on the belly where the gear doors rub. It has an acrylic adhesive and has been in place for about 3 years with no issues. I had to remove and replace a strip and it came off easily.

Skip