Gap Seals

9 posts in this topic

Posted

Any of you guys done the duct tape gap seals mod? I was reading a discussion on the group and would like to do my elevator at least. Someone attempted to give me instructions but it was confusing as hell ...anyone want to try and interpret this?

Sealing the Gap :

Take some 2 inch wide sticky tape of a suitable colour and texture. I use

yellow duct tape on the "Wattle Witch").

Take two lengths somewhat longer than the gap section you want to seal.

Reverse one length and stick it to the sticky side of the other with a 1 inch

overlap. Your tape will look like this :

xxxxxxxx = Sticky Side

-------- = Dry Side

-------------------

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

--------------------

Trim the joined tape to the length of the gap section less a little to avoid the

hinges.

Now using this tape 'S' it around a gap thus :

Where :

TTTTTT = Tailplane

EEEEEE = Elevator

---------

xxxxxxxx!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT ! EEEEEEEEEE

! xxxxxx

! ------

It's a bit fiddly to avoid the tape rolling up on you until you get the knack.

Use a sheet of perspex or similar to work on.

DO NOT WORK on your elevator top surface when joining the tapes. You will end

up loosing paint - been there - done that :)

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Posted

He is saying to stick two strips of tape together with the sticky side and over lapped,

Then stick one side to the top of the stabliser and go thru

the gap and stick the other tape to the bottom of the elivator, This is the S shape he is talking about.

Can't do that up here, low area will fill with water and

freeze, could be ugly

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Posted

Joey-

I used duct tape to gap seal my KF. My technique:

  • with elevator full nose down I put the yellow duct tape across the top of the gap
  • then with the elevator tied full nose up I put tape across the bottom gap
  • Center the elevator and smoothly stuck the center of the gap together

The difference was definitely noticeable, especially on flair to land. I'm able to use more flap and still fully flair.

Photos.

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Posted

We used snowboard tape. Clear. sticky and heavy duty! Just as Larry said, go full down elevator and put it on the top. It will seal the gap and lasts a couple years atleast. Made a HUGE difference on floats. I am heading out to the plane today so I will take a pic of the gap seals.

:BC:

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Posted (edited)

Here are some photos of my gap seals. I used a Duct Tape product that is clear and made for outdoor use. Very tough and pliable. Heat, cold, sun, etc do not affect it. I also used the full up and tape, then full down and tape method. It does make a difference.

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Edited by SkySteve

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Posted

Hello Group;

 

I´ll start to make some of your upgrades to my plane, in this case Gap Seals; I decided to use Isolation for pipes and cut it with a sharp knife to give the necessary form. Any input from your side is appreciated.

 

I haven´t flown yet, but I will tomorrow and see if it´s any good. 

 

Next project.... VG, I will put them under the wing at the wing tip; and do some test from there...

 

Regards

Dimi3

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Posted

Dimi3:

One of the things I've noticed about this type of foam is  it takes a "set", that is it tends to compress  when under load over an extended period of time,get loose and permanently take on the shape of the gap it is filling.If it is the same insulation foam where you are as in my area. I'm playing with marine foam in the gaps as the seal,does a decent job. Working out some minor bugs.

  Mike

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Posted

Dimitri, how are those held in place? Thanks, Bryce

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Posted

Hey Guys,

 

yes they are insulation foam; and they are held in place with tabs of epoxy, how ever, I notice that this ones are too tight rubbing and compressing, I would like to be little bit loose like 1/2 milimiter or less and I will covered all around with tape.

 

 

Regards

Dimitri

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