Hi Shawn,
i'm not an aero eng,so i just throw my opinion as a newbie.
about the rough area, maybe a clue : i think since a long time that some experiments on non slick surfaces could be applied to the wings.
I talk about surfaces like the new swimming suits whose small "turbulences" create an air cushion in the water.
People think that the shark skin is not good hydrodynamically, but studies have shown that their micro-structure made of thousands of streamlined micro-teeth have a benefic effect as ther unbound the water from the skin, making a turbulent thin cushion that improves the Cx.
The studies on birds, particularly nightbirds show that their smooth quills avoid turbulences and make their flight silent.
I don't know the effetc of a turbulator tape, but i think the thin tape limit should catch the bubble, making it more predictable.
If i'm not wrong, In boats propellers, this phenomena is called cavitation and is known to cause metal fatigue.
I wonder if this phenomena in air if responsible for some delamination problems.
just throwing wild thoughts.
Thanks