It's always bugged me how I sand and fill my wings to perfection and then drag 7-15 torx heads through the water. Any good non permanent solutions? Or am I just being OCD?

These guys?
(duck tape prom attire. not hating - I remember how poor I was in high school)

Seriously, though, the thought occurred to me but residue and it potentially peeling off have made me reluctant to try it.

I believe they have pills for that.

jdfoils said..
If you watch PWA videos you can see nearly every screw taped over. I use foil tape to cover mine, but the difference is extremely subtle...unless the tape starts peeling off of your stabilizer screws.

I'd love to know if it does anything. Empirical data.
As when the screw void fills with water, then the flow is water over water. The turbulent stuff and/or drag from the void is going to be sooo small. EG: tuttle fins often sit a little high or low, I've never seen a pro guy hand fitting his fins or the DT foil mast to be dead flush when the bolts are torqued up. Happy to be corrected - but I think the tape edge is just as draggy as an unfilled hole

I've done it using simple clear packing tape. but it's harder than it seems (you need a clean cut to avoid peeling, otherwise you risk making matters worse when it starts to peel) and in the end was too much of a hassle so gave it up. Of all the variables it's probably the one that holds me back the least

bel29 said..
I've done it using simple clear packing tape. but it's harder than it seems (you need a clean cut to avoid peeling, otherwise you risk making matters worse when it starts to peel) and in the end was too much of a hassle so gave it up. Of all the variables it's probably the one that holds me back the least

Aluminum ducting tape sticks better than packing tape, but you still need very clean surfaces to prevent peeling.

Hahaha, I think it's safe to assume that any turbulence or friction generated by the screws has been incorporated into the design and optimised during the testing. It probably won't harm to cover if that gives you piece of mind, but it might not result in any meaningful improvements.

Have a look at the vast amount of exposed screws at a commercial airplane. I'm sure they would be covered if that could save fuel.

YellowHelmet said..

Would filling the screws holes and screws with grease, vaseline, etc., be a good idea ?In the same time protecting these screws against corrosion.

I always leave foil and mast mounted.

If the screws are good 316/A4 stainless, corrosion is less of a problem. It's really the aluminum fuselages we try to protect so a bit of thin marine grease on the threads and where the screw head contacts the fuse helps inhibit galvanic corrosion.
I wouldn't go slathering grease on the outside because it makes it easy to then get it on the wing or mast which promotes water separation and ventilation. I'd think a touch on the head is fine but be sparing with it.