One of our clients, James Leadley, is a motor enthusiast with a passion to renovate vehicles. This means he is ideally placed to provide us with innovative research and automotive applications for some of our lesser-known products. Here he tells us how our black 3325 barrier tape helped to revitalise a much-loved 1957 MG sports car and solve an issue with galvanic corrosion.
How did this come about?
“The MGA is a two-door sports car, designed by Syd Enever, that was produced by the iconic British motoring brand MG from 1955 until 1962. The one that I was working on was 64 years old – built in 1957! One of the areas of issue was the doors, which were badly rotten. On first inspection I noticed the original door skin of the car needed to be mended because some of the aluminium had corroded where the steel touches the metal. Sadly, when I looked more closely, I thought they were beyond repair, so I made new skins and rebuilt the door frames. The issue of corrosion in this area is a common problem where outer aluminium panels have a metal framework.”
What did you need to do?
“As this is such a classic sports car, I had to make sure that I used repair materials that were enduring, effective and easy to apply. I do know of people who use cloth tape for similar repairs, and seam sealer over the flanges before they beat over them. However, the seam sealer is not my preferred method as it can sometimes be messy when beating over and compressing it. I was keen to try a solution did that not have the potential to ‘ooze’ or become unsightly, so I contacted Mark Plimmer at CTA for his expert advice. Mark assured me he would find something suitable, and later came back to me with the suggestion of black 3325 tape.”
How did you solve the problem?
“The car in question has an aluminium bonnet, boot and doors, all skimmed over a steel framework. During the post war era of construction that this car was made in, it was common practice that the aluminium was directly beaten over a bare steel surface, which would lead it vulnerable to potential corrosion problems, as was the case here. I decided to prime the panels with epoxy first and then use the CTA 3325 black tape which I could then beat over and trim to size with a regular Stanley blade.”
James goes on to say “The tape is absolutely perfect! It is much stronger than I had expected and is exactly the right thickness and width, and very easy to trim with a blade afterwards. It worked like a dream! This method of combining the use of modern primers and paints with CTA’s tape should prevent the dreaded electrolysis of aluminium touching steel. It should now last another 64 years!”
Response from CTA Managing Director Mark Plimmer
“I’m really pleased that the 3325 tape worked so well for you, it’s always great to hear of new ways our CTA products can be of benefit to all industries no matter how large or small. We are finding that confidence in the strength and versatility of our tape range is growing because of success stories just like this. Thank you, James, I look forward to your next adhesive challenge!”
We have a great range of single- and double-sided tapes of differing widths and properties, all you have to do is try them! Take a look at our advanced aluminium adhesives that may interest you too. Call us today to see how our tapes and adhesives can be of benefit to your business, we’re waiting for your challenge.
Do you have any unusual solutions you have used CTA tapes or adhesives for? Drop us an email with your story.