Originally Posted by
Krystal n chips
Speed tape is an invaluable "quick fix" and I used it, as do most engineers, many times over the years.
The only reason for those wrinkles, and they are excessive, is poor application technique. Once the patch is cut to size, and in place, you simply ensure even pressure is applied and lo and behold, a smooth surface results. It's not a complex technique. And if you do get a wrinkle, you simply remove the patch....and start again.
Is it possible that wringles, in the other direction (parallel to the airflow), could appear in flight if the wing flexes too much ?
If the wing flexes up, there is less distance to travel but the speed tape is glued, so the speed tape surplus (in distance) has to go up.. and make a wrinkle.
It could be uneven parallel wrinkles, but even then it would probably be a lesser disturbance than perpendicular wrinkles !