I'm sure the stainless would *look* great...anyone have experience with it long-term (wear, abrasion on the underside of the wing skin, etc.)?
I was planning UHMW on the flap, but I know this can yellow over time...
I was planning UHMW on the flap, but I know this can yellow over time...
FWIW on corporate and commercial aircraft we use products like this in chaffing areas such as the flap LE's. It contains teflon and can be tinted to match the base coat color. I don't know the cost so it might be a bit of an overkill. In service we normally touch it up every couple of years with a roller and since it matches the base coat it is much more attractive than tape.
I installed SS tape years ago to compliment the polished aluminum and vastly prefer it to the look of translucent UHMW. It is holding up very well. To directly answer your original question which no one has thus far, I believe I originally ordered a roll of it from JC Whitney but if that company no longer has it in stock, not to worry....Grainger does.Anyone know where I can get some stainless steel tape for the leading edge of my flaps?...
If you are careful you can get by without the tape. Surfaces can be aligned close enough that tape is not needed. Look at a few RVs and you will see many of them do not use the tape. Metal tape will release and become irregular on the edges after a time (3-4 years). The plastic tape does adhere well, but discolors after a time.
If you want a product that is inexpensive, won't yellow, won't slice your fingers, won't leave residue if you ever need to remove it, and will peel off in ONE piece if you remove it, there is only one choice: 3M paint protection film.
Seriously, once you've used this stuff, you'll feel sorry for those guys who used the other stuff.