Protective film?

[TomJ]

I've seen some pictures of techs who use a protective blue film on flutes while they're working on them. What exactly is that stuff and where can I buy some? I'd like to give it a try.

[fluteguy18]

It's actually a blue polypropylene tape made by 3M. It clings primarily by static, but is reusable as long as it stays clean, and has a wide variety of uses. I'm sure there are other makers out there, but in general this product is very expensive (about $60 USD for a large roll). Rolls vary by size and type, and usually you could manage to cut a wider roll down to a more appropriate diameter.

I have not yet needed to buy any because it has been provided for me, though I too would be interested in learning where to procure a roll or two...

[mirwa]

I never use it.

[JButky]

I have not yet needed to buy any because it has been provided for me, though I too would be interested in learning where to procure a roll or two...

Allied sells it.

[TomJ]

It's actually a blue polypropylene tape made by 3M. It clings primarily by static, but is reusable as long as it stays clean, and has a wide variety of uses. I'm sure there are other makers out there, but in general this product is very expensive (about $60 USD for a large roll). Rolls vary by size and type, and usually you could manage to cut a wider roll down to a more appropriate diameter.

I have not yet needed to buy any because it has been provided for me, though I too would be interested in learning where to procure a roll or two...

Hi Fluteguy18,
Do you know the product ID? The closest I could find is 3M 2112C, but it's not polypropylene and not blue, so I'm not sure it's equivalent.

[JButky]

I have not yet needed to buy any because it has been provided for me, though I too would be interested in learning where to procure a roll or two...

Allied sells it.

Product # A870

You could also try Nitto or Hitachi chemical Co. But if you are in the trade, Allied Supply is the easiest

[TomJ]

I have not yet needed to buy any because it has been provided for me, though I too would be interested in learning where to procure a roll or two...

Allied sells it.

Product # A870

You could also try Nitto or Hitachi chemical Co. But if you are in the trade, Allied Supply is the easiest

Joe, I'm not quite in the trade yet, but enough people are asking me to work on their flutes that I'm moving quickly in that direction!!

[pied_piper]

Powell flutes recently posted a couple of articles on their blog along with some photos of them using the blue protective tape while repairing and finishing flutes.

http://www.repairmyflute.com/2014/02/the-blue-tape.html
http://www.repairmyflute.com/2014/02/th ... rt-ii.html