Name This Tape
Posted by KlutchKloud@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 36 comments
We specifically use this one-sided adhesive foam tape to prevent hard edges when spray painting aircraft. We've always called it shadow masking tape. We've searched and searched and can no longer find a part number. There are similar products but this foam is shaped like a rhombus and has always been perfect for paint application. Does anyone know where to find it?
Responsible_Storm926@reddit
There are some funky hat sizing tapes that come close
holl0918@reddit
Bob
Background-Taro-573@reddit
Pretty sure that blue is painters tape
Da_hoodest_hoodrat@reddit
Search adhesive weather stripping on amazon. They have all different thicknesses and widths.
Frogblaster77@reddit
Hey this product isn't the right shape but I know that I've seen this EPDM tape in rhombus shape before from some seller on AliExpress while browsing. Start there and maybe you'll find it. Not sure if that's exactly what you're going for but that's what came to mind for me.
81dank@reddit
Here is similar
https://www.grainger.com/product/48RM67?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:VH9MRN:20800606:APZ_1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22465808811
twostar01@reddit
Did you try giving McMaster a call? I've found calling them to be the fastest way to get odd articles identified and on order. If they can't find it then it doesn't exist and you found a glitch in the matrix.
Madetoprint@reddit
Welp, I can't find that shape anywhere either. Do you have a low paid apprentice on staff? See what they can do with rectangular strip and a utility knife maybe...
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
Nah, were all same level techs. I don't want to cut it, lol, so I doubt anyone else would want to either. Seems super tedious. Next option is just rolling tape up to facilitate a soft line. It's probably not worth it. Reddit was my last hope after searching.
That70sShop@reddit
I didn't know anyone made something like this. I just bent the line side of the tape as I pressed it on. Back-masking, I think it was called.
My HS autobody shop didn't have enough interest to form a class. Too many rich kids just had daddy buy them a nice musclecar. (The good ones were only 10-15 years old at the time.)
I learned* from books and trial an error. The automotive teacher was a family friend and he'd unlock the shop after hours for me.
*I'm old enough that "learing" still had an 'n' in it.
Madetoprint@reddit
Yeah, I was only kidding. I found some triangular profiles, but I'm guessing it's the overhanging portion of the rhombus that gives you the softened edge you're after.
rtuck06@reddit
We shall call him Barnaby
bulldogsm@reddit
so glad you didn't name it
foamy Mc foamface
folks need to approach reddit more seriously
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
Solved /s. That gave me a good laugh. Thank you. You have made me reconsider my choice of words when posting from now on.
Grisu1805@reddit
Barnaby? It cllearly is a Steve, or at most a Bruce.
burnmanteamremington@reddit
It looks like some door or windows weather stripping you get at lowes or wherever. Put it around ac units and all sorts of stuff.
Jim2shedz@reddit
Looks like Harold to me.
BazookaJoe101@reddit
Sorry to be that guy, but there’s literally no way to tell. 5 different companies can make something that looks the same but performs completely differently. You can’t just guess in aviation
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
It was worth a shot. I thought maybe somebody would recognize that weird beveled 45° just hoping someone comes in clutch. But I appreciate the first names these fine mechanics, technicians, pilots ect. are coming up with.
BazookaJoe101@reddit
I’d ask your DAR what they’re comfortable with. You’d think it doesn’t matter but you don’t know until you fail an inspection. If it doesn’t matter let the person who signs off on the aircraft tell you, not Reddit. Sorry to be unhelpful
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
It's just for painting soft lines, not installation. It's more of a quality of life consumable or tool. Like having a paint shaker instead of your poor little arms. It's not that serious. Just some paint application after a structural modification.
riko77can@reddit
What broke in your supply chain that you suddenly don’t know how to source this anymore?
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
We got a lot in bulk a long time ago. Didn't keep the part number handy or manufacturer labels. Years went by and we all just kinda forgot how we came across it in the first place.
kromaey@reddit
Jerry
Terminal_Phase@reddit
Franklin
Accomplished-One7476@reddit
frostking weather stripping
emergency9juanjuan@reddit
Phil McCrakin
unpluggedcord@reddit
Weather stripping
agha0013@reddit
go to a home depot type place and peruse the weather stripping area, that's what this is pretty much, foam rubber weather stripping.
ecafsub@reddit
Foam weatherstrip.
iamsotiredofthiscrap@reddit
Neoprene gasket tape.
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
I've looked at a good amount of that type of tape. Unfortunately no not what I'm looking for. In the second image there is a beveled overhang at about 45 degrees. I'm worried it's a very specific type of "gasket".
dd543212345@reddit
Bob
KlutchKloud@reddit (OP)
Solid choice
cosmoassmankramer@reddit
I am called,,,,,Tim
Pugets_Sounds@reddit
The funniest part about that is he only says tim because he forgot his character name. They all thought it was hilarious so they kept it. 😆