Helicopter tape for seams?

[Lastminuteracin]

Watching F1 and they tape up all the body seams with a narrow tape. I don’t think it’s what we call helicopter tape as it looks very thin. Any idea what it is? Or what would be similar?

[J Leonard]

I visited the Red Bull factory a couple years ago and asked why they didn't use matt finish tape. The answer was the gloss stuff was cheap and off the shelf. I think it was a 3M product. Cheap might be a relative term for F1.

[mikey]

Looking for something like this, that is relatively easy to remove and won’t damage the paint. Needs to be more durable than painters tape so it does not tear so easily

[Steve Davis]

Haven't tried it, but best thing I can think of would be vinyl 'pinstripe' tape. Available in varying widths most everywhere. Should be removeable - a bit of heat might help. Might be an issue if your car is wrapped?
Steve, FV80

[billtebbutt]

Back in my Nationals days, many of us taped the cars every run. Duct tape first applied to your t shirt, then to the car. Worked perfectly...

best
bt

[EYERACE]

I've used duct tape on body gaps at Daytona.
Guess....weird one but a guess....F1 thinks gloss tape is aero smoother than matt....after all they're looking for ten thousandths

[Fred Michael]

3m paint protection tape.Thin and sticks well
Remember that in F1 the car will be re-wrapped for the next event anyway (in most cases) so if there is minor damage removing the tape it's a non issue.

For us in Indy 500 qualifying you do have to be a bit careful removing the tape so as not to damage the wrap as it is likely that you will be making multiple qualifying runs either to get into the field or in the Fast 9
You also have to have the surfaces good and clean before application as a bit of tape flapping in the wind is a pretty significant issue

We have also used strips of clear vinyl as well but it tends to be thicker which matters at 200+ mph but it is less expensive

If it's on a painted car then there is very little chance of damage removing the tape as long as the paint job is good quality

[DanW]

Jim,

For us mere mortals, use gaffers' tape. Used by audio and camera crews to lay down and cover cables. Matte fabric, easy to tear, apply, and holds well. Easy to remove and sometimes reapply if it's clean. One of the best sources:

https://www.goodbuyguys.com/catalog/...index&cPath=22

[BeerBudgetRacing]

I've seen this before. Seems very cheap compared to 3m Paint Protection Tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Track-Day-Tap...dp/B0DD4GVTV9/


Anyone use this?

[kr]

This works well. Slightly flexible, feels like helicopter tape only thinner. Hard to find right now but Walmart.com has it.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/cbgnawus1871/

KR

[jrh3]

We used a lot of 3m book binding tape on aerobatic planes

[Lastminuteracin]

We used a lot of 3m book binding tape on aerobatic planes

I was looking at that stuff. Its cheap enough that if it doesn’t work it’s not a great loss. I’m going to give it a try. Thanks.

[BLS]

https://www.amazon.com/3M-03439-Clea...=sr_1_3?sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/BLENDERM-Surg...r_1_14?sr=8-14

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