The leading edge of my elevator has a rubber protector, but the part shown in the picture doesnt and its dent and beat up.
We are changing this pieces on Saturday, I was thinking to put a thin rubber protector glued in, or thick clear prop tape.

Does anyone think of any danger or problem by adding this protection?

I have seen a lot of cessnas with the horizontal leading edge protector rubber used on the elevator.

Not legal but it does help with damage.

Here is what I use on my Maule:

Here is what you need 3M 8673. Pretty easy to put on and just takes a very clean even surface. You will need to notch to accommodate for the radius of the stab but not that hard:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/e ... RCHW15WVbl

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebse ... 8673DL.pdf

Dave, the Aero Twin gravel deflectors are worth a look. At $1850 (total for both mains) they are expensive, but the airframe damage they prevent would likely cost even more. I learned the hard way and installed them after I took a big rock to my horizontal stab, so I paid to have for the damage fixed (i.e. to learn the hard way) and for the gravel deflectors. FYI my rock damage was to the underside of the stab, so the rubber strip on the leading edge did nothing to prevent it.

Aero Twin claims there is no loss to airspeed because the deflector sits back in the negative pressure area created by the main gear. They work as advertised.

http://www.aerotwin.com/products/main_gear_gravel_deflectors.html

Whay are those soo expensive??
You could fabricate them for a 10th of the price.

I might go for the tape, thanks Tom.
One idea was to form a silicone protector, however I have no idea on how to make ti look smooth

Probably to make back the money spent in crossing FAA red tape.

I might go for the tape, thanks Tom.

Da Nada.

The great thing about these tapes is the thickness permits wrapping around the radius of the horizontal stab. My Maule has a pretty tight radius but if your 182 has a bigger radius you may be able to use a thicker tape with more protection. There is a black tape and clear tape that are much thicker.

One important thing is the tapes need to be UV resistant our that tropical sun down there will turn them yellow and brittle.

TD

Dave I am no aeronautical engineer, but consider the tight space between the trailing edge of the stabilizer and the leading edge of the elevator that must remain unobstructed for your elevator to work. A piece of rubber-like material glued into that space has the potential to cause flight control problems. If the material ever became partially detached it could potentially wedge between the leading edge of the elevator and stabilizer causing the elevator to lock up or some kind of aerodynamic flutter or oscillation. Just food for thought, but that could be muy malo.