Helicopter tape recommendation requested (a specific name or URL)

[Roberta]

Helicopter tape to put under the brake wire that runs along the bottom of the top tube, so perhaps 1 1/2 -  2" wide to allow for wire movement and a not too perfect tape application.  I carry my bike on a hanging bike rack and currently protect the frame by putting inner tubes between the wire and frame, but that's becoming annoying.

There's so many out there and I'm not sure which will work well and not effect the paint.  My local auto supply place said they never heard of it.  Neither did the LBS.

Thanks,

Roberta, AHHilsen

[George Schick]

Roberta - actually, I have an abundance of leftover helicopter tape from a previous purchase that I needed to place on the drive side chain stay to prevent paint wear due to chain slap.  I'd be happy to send you the amount you want at no charge if you PM me (or whatever the latest version of that is in this latest Google Groups iteration) along with instructions about how to install it.

George

[Joe Bernard]

Does that stuff really work without messing up the paint? When I clamp a toptube in my work stand I use an old t-shirt wrapped around the tube to keep the brake wire off the paint. Easy on, easy off, doesn't stay on the bike when not needed. 

Joe "extremely touchy about paint, like it's not even healthy" Bernard

[Roberta]

Thanks, George, that is so kind of you.    I'll send a PM.

Joe, I understand!  If it affects the paint, I'll keep with my current setup. 

I have a full to-do to get my bike on the hanging rack--inner tube under the wires so wire doesn't scratch the frame and pipe insulation on the tubes so the carrier doesn't scratch the frame.  For now I'm sticking with this setup because 1) I can use it with my fendered bike 2) I can lock the bike to the rack with a U-LOCK (not a lowly cable lock) if I need to leave it on my car for a bio break on long trips.  (if anyone knows a tray style that can do this, let me know!  I might start another thread on this when I get the chance.)

[rlti...@gmail.com]

I picked up some 3M tape from EBay to put on the wear areas of my bikepacking bike. I haven’t used it yet as the bike is just starting to get built but the tape looks nice. It applies just like some screen protectors for phones. It goes on wet and then dries in place.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-Scotchgard-Hood-Bumper-Clear-Paint-Protection-Bra-Film-Shield-Vinyl-Wrap-12-/252178824683?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

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On Mar 31, 2021, at 4:30 PM, Roberta <rcha...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[rlti...@gmail.com]

The tape I bought is used for autos to protect the paint so it should be perfectly safe on a bike.

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

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On Mar 31, 2021, at 2:54 PM, Joe Bernard <joer...@gmail.com> wrote:

Does that stuff really work without messing up the paint? When I clamp a toptube in my work stand I use an old t-shirt wrapped around the tube to keep the brake wire off the paint. Easy on, easy off, doesn't stay on the bike when not needed. 

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[Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA]

On Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 2:54:09 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:

Does that stuff really work without messing up the paint? When I clamp a toptube in my work stand I use an old t-shirt wrapped around the tube to keep the brake wire off the paint. Easy on, easy off, doesn't stay on the bike when not needed. 

Helicopter tape is basically a thin and clear polyurethane tape with an adhesive backing. Allegedly, it was invented to protect helicopter blades from impact damage (presumably smaller objects). For those of us who don't see too many helicopters, it is more commonly used as protection on the front of (usually expensive) cars to prevent paint chips from stones and such. If I have a carbon-fiber mountain bike, I'll probably apply it where rock chips are likely to hit, like the underside of the downtube, not to protect the paint so much as to prevent impact damage to the carbon fiber.

It'll do fine preventing paint scratches from hanging a bike by the top tube, although in my experience, it'll likely bunch up when solidly clamped with a workstand (the polyurethane material is malleable after all). The adhesive is not strong enough to prevent "creeping" when high forces are involved, because 3M paint film is designed to be removed without damaging paint, by using a heat gun or hair dryer. The adhesive is good but isn't permanent.

Just search for "3M paint protection" or "3M paint film" on eBay. For Roberta's use, this may work.

 

[Joe Bernard]

Ah, I put that stuff on a car I had. I didn't know it was called helicopter tape, my bad. 

[John Stowe]

I use ISC Racers Tape Surface Guard Tape (not to be confused with the regular Racers Tape, which is cloth based like duct tape), both for frame protection and to route dynamo wires along frame tubes: it keeps the wires from dangling or snagging, and is nearly invisible - though zip ties are still helpful for strain relief to keep it from pulling up the ends of the tape. Self-adhesive, pulls right back off without damaging the paint, and is available in a variety of widths.

[Paul Clifton]

I've been pretty curious about this topic for a while so I finally did some digging around. Nothing anyone hasn't already said on this and other threads, but I'm adding it just for additional info if anyone is interested.

The basic protective tape seems to be  3M™ Industrial Protective Film 7070UV: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/d/b40066699/

There's even a link to a PDF at the bottom of that page that shows a Bicycle Application Concept. It doesn't say anything about removing the adhesive when you take the tape off, but since it is designed for that sort of thing, I doubt it will harm paint.

They also make a thicker version 7071UV, prob for stuff that gets hit harder.

Both 7070 and  7071 are available at McMaster Carr. They may be available cheaper elsewhere but at least McMaster calls out the specific product on the listing: https://www.mcmaster.com/fastening-tape/heavy-duty-surface-protection-tape/

Digging into 3M's aerospace category gets to this amazing page about products for helicopter rotor blades: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/aerospace-us/segment-solutions/rotor-blades/

The stuff for helicopters is extremely thick and says it offers "limited conformability" https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+3292668475&rt=rud

I've also seem people recommend low friction protection tape, which is meant for lining chutes in factories and fulfillment centers. It offers impact protection as well: https://www.mcmaster.com/fastening-tape/low-friction-uhmw-tape-8/

It's acrylic, not polyurethane.Maybe I'll get some of the for my daughter's scratched up plastic slide.

But for my bike, I'd probably just go with the 3M 7070UV since it's really designed specifically for protecting paint, but maybe not structural elements, from minor impacts on land vehicles.

I love tape.

BTW - has anyone used the gaffe tape from McMaster? How does it compare to the Gaffe brand gaffe tape? I hate bad tape. https://www.mcmaster.com/fastening-tape/matte-duct-tape/

Paul in AR

On Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 4:38:39 PM UTC-5 Roberta wrote:

[Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA]

Paul, thanks for sharing your cache of information!

I concur that the 3M 8545HS, 7070UV and 7071UV are all the same thing, differing only in thickness. I can find the 8mil and 14mil stuff rather easily, but I wish I can find the 40mil stuff; Googling "3M 8545HS" didn't really produce any hits. The 40mil stuff will be great for protecting the chainstay from chain slap, because I found the 14mil stuff barely adequate (I ended up wrapping old inner tubes with bum valves around the chainstay).

As far as improving conformability, professional car protective film installers need to form the film around tight corners on cars, so they use a heat gun/hair dryer to make the film a lot more malleable. AFAIK, there isn't really too many such tight corners on bicycles, at least corners that warrants protection.

[rlti...@gmail.com]

I started applying tape on a frame today and it’s kind of a pain. I want to do the front triangle since I’ll be using a frame bag on this bike. My frame has lots of bottle mounts and cable guides so getting the tape around those was pretty tedious. It’s likely one job I’d pay someone else to do.

A paper cutter would help a lot and I ran out of solution so I’ll need to finish the job tomorrow.

Robert Tilley

San Diego, CA

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On Apr 3, 2021, at 6:21 PM, Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA <benzo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Paul, thanks for sharing your cache of information!

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[Pancake]

I ordered this from Amazon for $20  (1“wide * 30’long) Racers Tape Surface Guard Tape . https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O6BQMG

Lots of reviews say it worked well for bike frames. 14mil seems unnecessary UNLESS you’re wrapping the tube where your front rack or handlebars or basket contact the frame on a full turn - no tape seems thick enough, I did tape plus twine which has worked well for a couple years. 

Good for where the bike rack hooks contact the frame so the cable doesn’t run the paint. 

Abe

[Robb]

https://www.amazon.com/ETC-Helicopter-Clear-Frame-Protection/dp/B072LFGFVS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1MK8QQ5PBNQPM&dchild=1&keywords=helicopter+tape&qid=1617506481&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=helicopter%2Csporting%2C159&sr=1-3