Anyone used tape to prevent scratches on foil wings? Surfing reef breaks that have a few shallow spots.

Should I use 3M? Polyurethane Protective Tape 8671HS Part Number 8671HS, 3M Product Number 8671HS, Helicopter / Bicycle tape?

i think you're going to be a pioneer on this one.

I don't think it'll work for long, but why not try it out and let us know.

Mine has heaps of war wounds, they sand out. Pretty sure tape would not help as the rocks are sharp, you would end it with tape hanging off like seaweed causing drag.

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hairybear01 said..
Should I use 3M? Polyurethane Protective Tape 8671HS Part Number 8671HS, 3M Product Number 8671HS, Helicopter / Bicycle tape?

If you use tape, definitely the 3M Helicopter.

But it will be hell to wrap it around a curved surface like a foil wing without folds.
I would fist try with a cheap supple tape, such as PVC, to practive wrapping it without fold, before using the 3M tape which is too expensive to waste on first attempts.

And as Hilly said, I don't think it will protect against hits as strong as hitting the reef. I would just buy some solarez, an UV lamp, and practice filling scratches, it can be done in minutes, even on the beach (inside the car to protect from the UVs) with nearly no sanding by using tape and good cutter blades.

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hilly said..
Mine has heaps of war wounds, they sand out. Pretty sure tape would not help as the rocks are sharp, you would end it with tape hanging off like seaweed causing drag.

Do you notice any difference in performance with wing scratches sanded out, polished etc. vs a slightly dinged up wing?

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azymuth said..

hilly said..
Mine has heaps of war wounds, they sand out. Pretty sure tape would not help as the rocks are sharp, you would end it with tape hanging off like seaweed causing drag.

Do you notice any difference in performance with wing scratches sanded out, polished etc. vs a slightly dinged up wing?

I cooked my Iwa and stab pretty badly chasing marginal reef waves. They got noisy, and I thought they were draggier.
After a sand and acrylic clear gloss I felt they were better though there is always a bit of placebo.

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azymuth said..

hilly said..
Mine has heaps of war wounds, they sand out. Pretty sure tape would not help as the rocks are sharp, you would end it with tape hanging off like seaweed causing drag.

Do you notice any difference in performance with wing scratches sanded out, polished etc. vs a slightly dinged up wing?

Only do it when they get noisy. Sups so slow compared to your rig so no. You may however.