Tape, flap fairings, prop LE buffed
Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:37 pm
I apply some tape around the glass, wingtips, and front edge of the tip up canopy in about 30 minutes. the tape can leave some adhesive residue and I usually just apply more on top of it. The tape typically last 1 year depending how much rain. It's not a show plane but rather a bike hauler. Bugs blades are being refreshed at about 6 years. I removed these in the winter, squeeze fwd to aft and remove. These actually increase fuel pressure a small amount and act somewhat like an umbrella. The flap bracket fairings look good and the innermost has a button to close the cover. Amazing that they have been there 7 years. Teflon tape applied to underside of the wing to flap skin. I let it extend 1/16 inch beyond the wing skin to prevent the tape from being pushed around as it bites at the edge. I cleaned the prop nickel LE with some 3000 grit to remove some LE roughness and polish with 6000 grit, then compound. Not too bad for a 12 year old prop with 1350 hours.
