Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal Tape
Overview
This tape is made by Michael Bowlus.
It has a great reputation as a fantastic gap seal tape. Like the 3M
tape this is polyethylene tape. It is extremely stretchy which allows it to follow the
complex curves around the leading edge of the wing root on my Ventus b
(although no tape can form to every curve). This tape utilizes UV
protection so that is lasts longer in the sun than other products.
That is very important for gliders that remain assembled for long periods of
time - especially if they sit in the sun all the time. The tape is
designed to stay in place and not split even when you take off from an
airport with high temperatures, fly at high altitude in low temperature
environments and land back in high temperatures. Also the Bowlus tape
is a brighter white than the 3M tape.
I started
stocking and selling this tape because Carl Herold told me that he prefers
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal Tape to the 3M tape because it lasts longer before
cracking or splitting. He keeps his Nimbus 3DM assembled for long
periods of time - sitting out in the sun. The UV protection seems to
increase the life of the tape. He believes that the 3M tape ages more
rapidly.
So... Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal Tape is better
than the 3M polyethylene tape, and much less expensive.
Note: No gap seal tape lasts forever.
All tape will crack or split eventually.
Note from Mike Bowlus on Cleaning Tape
Residue
"Any adhesive residue should always be cleaned up with lighter
fluid, never MEK, acetone or lacquer
thinner. Lighter fluid will not harm paint, gel coat or canopies.
Never get anything near any airplane that
will harm the canopy! I have heard of guys dropping a container and having
lacquer thinner splatter on a canopy, NIGHTMARE!"
Telescoping
Telescoping is the unavoidable tendency for rolls of tape to become skewed
over time. It is caused by internal stresses that are built into the
roll during the manufacturing process. It can be made more extreme by
subjecting the rolls to heat or dramatic temperature changes. I do my
best to insure that the rolls telescope as little as possible. I keep
the boxes of tape in my cool basement. You would think that would keep the rolls from telescoping -
but it doesn't. Some additional telescoping can occur during shipment to
the customer - especially when shipped during hot weather. The good
news is that although the telescoping makes the rolls look less attractive,
it does not affect the performance of the tape.
Review by Non-Glider Pilot
"I received the gap seal tape the next day - it works wonderfully! I am
using it on my Varieze - a very slick powered aircraft - and it gained me ~
5kt in cruise! Thanks again for your prompt shipment and excellent
product." - Kevin Alons, KC-135R (formerly F-16), Varieze
How to Order
To order a product, click on the
button next to the product.
When you are ready to complete your order, click on the
button.
Click on the small images to view larger versions.
|
Part # |
Description |
Photo
Click on image to view larger version |
Price |
Lead-time |
|
|
Bowlus-Tape-White-1in |
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal
Tape, White, 1 in
Polyethylene
Film Tape
Color: White
Width: 1"
Length: 36 Yards
Thickness: 0.0055" (0.14 mm)
Adhesive: aggressive rubber adhesive (very stretchable, 400%+)
Select quantity when ordering |
 |
$9.50 for
1 roll
or
$42.50 for 5 rolls
($8.50/each) |
In
Stock |
|
|
Bowlus-Tape-Clear-1in |
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal
Tape, Clear, 1 in
Polyethylene
Film Tape
Color: Clear
Width: 1"
Length: 36 Yards
Thickness: 0.0055" (0.14 mm)
Adhesive: aggressive rubber adhesive (very stretchable, 400%+)
Select quantity when ordering |
Photo coming soon |
$9.50 for
1 roll
or
$42.50 for 5 rolls
($8.50/each) |
In
Stock |
|
|
Bowlus-Tape-White-1p5in |
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal
Tape, White, 1.5 in
Polyethylene
Film Tape
Color: White
Width: 1.5"
Length: 36 Yards
Thickness: 0.0055" (0.14 mm)
Adhesive: aggressive rubber adhesive (very stretchable, 400%+)
Select quantity when ordering |
Photo coming soon |
$13 for
1 roll
or
$60 for 5 rolls
($12/each) |
In
Stock |
|
|
Bowlus-Tape-Clear-1p5in |
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal
Tape, Clear, 1.5 in
Polyethylene
Film Tape
Color: Clear
Width: 1.5"
Length: 36 Yards
Thickness: 0.0055" (0.14 mm)
Adhesive: aggressive rubber adhesive (very stretchable, 400%+)
Select quantity when ordering |
Photo coming soon |
$13 for
1 roll
or
$60 for 5 rolls
($12/each) |
In
Stock |
|
|
Bowlus-Tape-White-2in |
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal
Tape, White, 2 in
Polyethylene
Film Tape
Color: White
Width: 2"
Length: 36 Yards
Thickness: 0.0055" (0.14 mm)
Adhesive: aggressive rubber adhesive (very stretchable, 400%+)
Select quantity when ordering |
Photo coming soon |
$17 for
1 roll
or
$80 for 5 rolls
($16/each) |
In
Stock |
|
|
Bowlus-Tape-Clear-2in |
Bowlus Maxi Gap Seal
Tape, Clear, 2 in
Polyethylene
Film Tape
Color: Clear
Width: 2"
Length: 36 Yards
Thickness: 0.0055" (0.14 mm)
Adhesive: aggressive rubber adhesive (very stretchable, 400%+)
Select quantity when ordering |
Photo coming soon |
$17 for
1 roll
or
$80 for 5 rolls
($16/each) |
In
Stock |
|
|
