Chain stay protection

[AngryScientist]

It's a good question.

I know I have purchased used bikes in the past that have had a clear CS protector applied, and by the time the bike came to me it was a hard yellowish mess that was hard to remove and probably did more damage to the paint to remove than if it wasnt there in the first place.

I would want to choose something very high quality that wasnt going to turn into a mess after a year or 5.

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by RoosterCogset

Do you guys really mean helicopter tape, or using that term generically for clear protection films, such as this 3M item?

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Clear-Prot.../dp/B073XSJLPB

^^^^^^^ This is good stuff. Practically invisible when applied.

[Jad]

I've also used the IRC Racer's tape/Helicopter tape for ~7 years for different parts of the frame, including the chainstay--it lasts and mine has not yellowed or anything. And when needed, it has come off easily.

[Nomadmax]

Originally Posted by deluz

https://www.performancebike.com/whee...BoCTwcQAvD_BwE

That's the only thing I'll use ^

[junkfood]

Scotch 2228 is my go to for CX and MTB bikes. Usually just use clear 3m tape for the road.

Jake

[the fly]

I use 3M 1080 vinyl wrap as used for automotive body wraps. You can get a bunch of it for cheap in a multitude of designs and colors, including faux CF. It conforms well to curves too.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

by the time the bike came to me it was a hard yellowish mess that was hard to remove and probably did more damage to the paint to remove than if it wasnt there in the first place.

Put down a layer of 3M #8402 polyester tape first, and then put the helicopter tape on top of that. It'll stay forever, but 5+ years later if/when you want to remove it it'll come right off effortlessly, with no residue and no finish damage.

[mtbmoose]

3M clear protection film. Have used it on a dozen bikes and it works great. Easy to apply and not overly difficult to remove. I’d stay away from imitations.

[Talrand]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Put down a layer of 3M #8402 polyester tape first, and then put the helicopter tape on top of that. It'll stay forever, but 5+ years later if/when you want to remove it it'll come right off effortlessly, with no residue and no finish damage.

Slightly, off topic but is that not the tape recommended for tubeless setups? I've bought some but could never get it to stick... Ended up overpaying heavily for some bike-branded stuff. Anyone used it for that purpose successfully?

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Talrand

Slightly, off topic but is that not the tape recommended for tubeless setups? I've bought some but could never get it to stick... Ended up overpaying heavily for some bike-branded stuff. Anyone used it for that purpose successfully?

I can’t imagine anyone would recommend #8402 for that application; it strikes me as way too thin/fragile, and not sticky enough, to make effective rim tape.

I first encountered #8402 when architects and draftsmen were using it to attach notes to blueprints or vellum pages. They called it “artist’s tape”
Green translucent stuff, very thin.