Procedure Manual No. AT 101 FAA Original Issue Date: September 19, 1989 APPROVED Revision: 8 Date: June 1, 19 PROCEDURE FOR SURFACE TAPE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE AT 101 – ST Surface tapes are applied over all ribs, seam, and trailing edges. Widths of tape must equal manufacturer’s FAA approved specification or the old fabric whichever is greater. 1. For application of surface tapes a thinned mixture of adhesive is used (3 parts adhesive reducer RA 4000 Rev. 3 to 1 part UA 55 Rev. 1). To the area where tapes will be installed brush one thinned coat of adhesive; allow to dry 5 minutes; then apply a second thinned coat. Brush the adhesive only as wide as the tape. 2.
Use thinned adhesive to wet out the area to which the tape will be installed. Lay a tape on the wet adhesive and use the brush to smooth it out applying more adhesive to fully wet it out. This will ensure removal of all entrapped air and complete the bonding of the tape to the fabric underneath. 3. Tapes to be wrapped around a trailing edge or curved tip can be applied by taking advantage of the “heat shrinking” feature of the material. Cement the center ј inch of the tape to the surface, allowing the tape to stand up at right angles to the surface until the adhesive has dried (10 minutes). Hold a small piece (4 in. x 12 in.) of cardboard under the tape as a backup and iron the tape.
It will begin to shrink and curl around the surface laying flat as it does so. As it lays down, remove the cardboard and continue ironing directly on the surface until the tape lays flat without wrinkles. Then brush adhesive under the tape and cement it in place. 4. After tapes are installed brush two thinned coats of adhesive over all surface tapes (Refer Procedure AT 101 – FA, Step 6, Page 2). 5. After the last coat of adhesive is dry (30 minutes minimum) iron all the edges of the tapes with a small iron set at 250 – 275 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature is enough to soften the adhesive and allow it to be feathered out without scorching it and/or shrinking the tape.
Iron temperature must be set using an Air-Tech iron thermometer. Limitations: Do not apply adhesives below 40 Fahrenheit. Allow adhesive 24 hours cure to full strength.