REFLECTOR:Leading Edge Tape

[John Dibble]

Thanks Alex,

My IVO prop has a gel coat finish.  Is that what you refer to as paint?  
IVO recommends using MEK solvent, or acetone followed by alcohol.  I 
think PVC cleaner works best.  After a few more phone calls I learned 
that Valley Industrial Products, who makes the ss tape sold by JC 
Whitney, has changed adhesives a month ago.  I'm not sure if my current 
order will be the new or old adhesive.  IVO plans to evaluate the new 
tape.  In the meantime I will try the JC Whitney tape as the 1.5 mil 
tape is tearing off in spots.
I asked IVO about "Prop-Guard", a poylurethane tape (from one of the 
links Scott sent).  IVO is concerned about water getting under this 
tape, but said I could use it over the ss tape.  The Prop-Guard rep says 
it's only used on aluminum props, but there is one IVO/Rotax user.

John

Alex Balic wrote:

>John,
>I didn't have any  problems with the adhesive at all, but I cleaned the
>paint with some acetone first, which softened it just a little and promoted
>adhesion. It can be removed with some effort once you start peeling it, and
>can be assisted with careful application of a heat gun. The only other thing
>I can suggest to promote adhesion, is to mask the prop, and spray on a good
>contact adhesive first (lightly) the solvent in the adhesive will make it
>stick to the paint on the prop, and then the tape will stick to the cured
>contact adhesive very well also, but really, try the tape alone on a clean
>surface first, I don't think you will have any problems with it as long as
>it is clean.
>As far as the tape for duct, it is aluminum, so won't have the level of
>abrasion resistance that you want.
>
>Alex
>  
>