This is an idea that many people add to strake construction. We want to try and eliminate leaks with a really wide gluing surface for the top skin. It also allows a type of ledge for the top to sit on that is sealed all the way around. My method is nearest to one in part two of a ‘Cozy Girrrls’ video where the technique is well explained.

First up was a really good clean up of the rib and baffle surfaces with 40 grit sandpaper. I later gave it a wipe with acetone on a paper towel as initial prep and clean.

I marked out underneath where the ribs were and then ensured I had plenty of release duct tape in place. Yeah, I have enough.

Next was to get the top where it needs to sit. I’m not 100% happy with this but it is quite fixable with a tweak later to get the top perfectly flat and smooth.  Its pretty close sitting like this with a little hot glue and some weights while I get those top hats in place.

Then some planning. I needed 24 two ply BID tapes and that needed a bit of a plan. I have strake segments A to F with 4 tapes in each. All of them different sizes to the .1 of an inch. It worked out! I planned my tapes and cut to plan and then mounted them to plan in order. You can see them in the pic above all with labels and set into 6 groups.

Quite some hours of taping followed. I used a LOT of flox in the joins before putting the tapes down. Much of it will be ground out later.

It took so long that by the time I was getting to the last couple of groups the epoxy was getting really sticky. That just made it easier working partly upside down.

I had cut a lot of peel ply but I think things were starting to go off and I feel only a little of these tapes will need anything more bonded to them. If so, I’ll sand. I really don’t want to risk any extra air bubbles trying to use peel ply on very sticky tapes. Best to let them cure. I have the heater on as the temperature is getting down a little and I like at least 20C for all layups if not 25-26C. Being fuel tank related its worth a bit of expense running my gas heater overnight.