CTLS Stabilator Hinge Tape Peeling

[John Vance]

A corner of the tape covering the “hinge” area of the stabilator trim tab on my 2010 CTLS has peeled away.  It’s fairly small, only about an inch of the forward corner on the starboard end, and I’d like to stick it back in place so that it doesn’t progress.  I’ve emailed Arian at FD about this, but since we’re going into Christmas week, the answer may be slow to materialize. Does anyone have experience with this repair?  What adhesive should be used?

[Tom Baker]

The CTLS has the hinge bonded in the structure. It is made from Kevlar, and it is painted over. Some had a strip of 1.5" Bowlus tape placed over the flex joint. In my opinion this helps prevent the paint from cracking. It still cracks, but not as much. So if you are talking about the thin plastic tape over the flex joint it is Bowlus tape. Just carefully peel it off, clean any residue, and install new tape. It you don't have the thin tape the paint is cracking and peeling from the hinge. That will be something for a shop to repair, unless you are into painting things like airplanes.

[John Vance]

I’m talking about the tape over the flex joint, not the hinge itself.  I have 1.5” Bowlus tape on hand so that’s an easy repair.  Thanks for your help, Tom!

[ODowneyEng]

The 50mm White Mylar tape used on Hinge Gaps available online from Walmart at $14 

 

 

 

[John Vance]

Thanks, Owen. Hope you’re doing well!

[Tom Baker]

1 hour ago, Odowneyeng said:

The 50mm White Mylar tape used on Hinge Gaps available online from Walmart at $14 

That is whats used on the CTSW, and is different from the CTLS. The only problem with the Mylar tape I've seen is it doesn't have the adhesive on one edge. 

[John Vance]

Thanks, Roger. Merry Christmas to you and all on the forum!

[airhound]

On 12/20/2020 at 5:42 PM, Tom Baker said:

The CTLS has the hinge bonded in the structure. It is made from Kevlar, and it is painted over. Some had a strip of 1.5" Bowlus tape placed over the flex joint. In my opinion this helps prevent the paint from cracking. It still cracks, but not as much. So if you are talking about the thin plastic tape over the flex joint it is Bowlus tape. Just carefully peel it off, clean any residue, and install new tape. It you don't have the thin tape the paint is cracking and peeling from the hinge. That will be something for a shop to repair, unless you are into painting things like airplanes.

What is safe to clean old-dry-yellowed Bowlus tape glue from wing root gap area and MLG fairing joints? How about technique for removing old tape?

[GrassStripFlyBoy]

Hair drier / heat gun to warm the tape.  Goof Off to clean up residue.

[airhound]

On 4/21/2021 at 6:02 AM, GrassStripFlyBoy said:

Hair drier / heat gun to warm the tape.  Goof Off to clean up residue.

Is Goo off the same as goo gone?  Anything stronger, the glue is yellowed and hardened! How about lighter fluid ?

[GrassStripFlyBoy]

1 hour ago, AirHound said:

Is Goo off the same as goo gone?

Nope

[Tom Baker]

An old credit card makes a good scraper when removing tape residue.

[Tip]

MEH & I replaced the N numbers on his plane. They were baked on and he used a piece of orange air  baffle rubber as a scraper after his fingers were beat up.

[Towner]

Would my wife's new credit card be a better scraper than one of my old cards?

[sandpiper]

1 hour ago, Towner said:

Would my wife's new credit card be a better scraper than one of my old cards?

Let us know how that works out for you.

[airhound]

Goof off - ain’t no daisy by itself. Going for the Wifes card.