Boeing BAC 5034 Surface Protection Tape Guide
Boeing BAC 5034 Surface Protection Tape — Type IV, Class I, Grade A Explained
What BAC 5034 covers, how to choose between paper and film, and which Protex tape matches your surface, your process, and your environment.
Boeing process specification BAC 5034 governs pressure-sensitive surface-protection and masking tapes used to protect aircraft surfaces during manufacturing, finishing, and maintenance. The standard surface-protection classification is Type IV, Class I, Grade A, and a wide range of Protex papers and films are qualified to it. Because so many products share the same BAC 5034 callout, the real decision isn't "which tape meets the spec" — it's which one fits your surface, your process, and your environment. This guide breaks that down.
Already know the product you need? Download the official Protex technical data sheets.
Technical Data Sheets →One spec number, two different families. "BAC 5034" (surface protection, Type IV/Class I/Grade A) covers the Protex masking papers and films on this page. "BAC 5034-4" is a separate carpet / double-coated branch — if your callout reads BAC5034-4 Sec. 5.1.a(1), you likely need Polyken 105C or Polyken 108FR instead. See all specs →
What the BAC 5034 callout codes mean
A BAC 5034 surface-protection callout describes the tape's family, performance band, and adhesion tier. Most Protex surface-protection products carry the same baseline designation:
Type identifies the product family. Type IV is the pressure-sensitive surface-protection / masking tape family covered by the Protex line — latex-saturated papers and polyester films designed to be applied, worked over, and cleanly removed.
Class sets the performance band within the Type. Class I is the standard surface-protection class these tapes are qualified to.
Grade denotes the adhesion / performance tier. Grade A is the qualified grade for the Protex surface-protection range.
Not a spec code, but the real choice: paper (latex-saturated, higher tack, masking and scratch protection) vs. polyester film (low-tack, transparent, UV/outdoor capable). Both qualify to BAC 5034.
Important: all Protex surface-protection tapes are not intended for fly-away applications. Test before use on copper, brass, or anodized aluminum, and before any outdoor exposure.
Choose by what you're protecting
Every product below is qualified to BAC 5034, Type IV, Class I, Grade A. Pick by the surface and the job, then confirm against the data sheet.
| If you need to… | Best fit | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Protect bare aluminum, titanium & painted exterior skins through routing, drilling & riveting | 4.1–5.1 mil linered kraft scratch-protection paper, printed "Scratches Cause Rejections" | Protex 5 |
| Protect acrylic/polycarbonate windows, canopies & windshields with added abrasion resistance | 10 mil vinyl-coated latex paper, die-cuttable | Protex 10V |
| Heavy-duty protection for windows, metal & graphite-composite tooling against impact | 20 mil vinyl-coated latex paper | Protex 20V |
| Protect surfaces where light transmission, UV resistance or outdoor exposure matters | 2 mil transparent low-tack polyester film, tinted green, withstands 325°F | Protex 8216-2L |
Quick rule of thumb: reach for paper (5, 10V, 20V) when you need higher tack, scratch resistance, and masking through machining steps; reach for film (8216-2L) when you need transparency, UV resistance, clean low-tack removal, or outdoor/high-temperature exposure.
Side-by-side: BAC 5034 Protex tapes
| Specification | Protex 5 | Protex 10V | Protex 20V | 8216-2L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backing | Latex-sat. kraft paper | Vinyl-coated latex paper | Vinyl-coated latex paper | Polyester film |
| Thickness | 4.1–5.1 mil | 9–12 mil | 19–23 mil | 2 mil |
| Adhesive | Natural latex | Natural latex | Natural latex | Acrylic (low tack) |
| Adhesion to steel (oz/in) | 17–22 | 30–40 | 30–40 | 1–3 |
| Transparent | No | No | No | Yes (UV resistant) |
| Outdoor / high temp | Test first | Test first | Test first | Yes, to 325°F |
| Liner (die-cuttable) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BAC 5034 class | Ty IV, Cl I, Gr A | Ty IV, Cl I, Gr A | Ty IV, Cl I, Gr A | Ty IV, Cl I, Gr A |
| Other approvals | NSN 8135-00-946-2090 | NSN 7510-01-121-8267 | NSN 8135-00-654-9834; Airbus AIMS 12-6-001 | Airbus AIMS 12-6-001 |
| Data sheet | TDS ↓ | TDS ↓ | TDS ↓ | TDS ↓ |
Values are typical, drawn from current Mask-Off Protex data sheets, and are provided for reference — always confirm against the controlling drawing and the current data sheet for your application. Mask-Off also qualifies additional Protex grades (20S, 50, 8216-2, 8216-5B, 1321D-3, 223-2, 223-5) to BAC 5034; contact us for any grade not listed here.
Frequently asked questions
What is Boeing BAC 5034?
BAC 5034 is a Boeing process specification for pressure-sensitive surface-protection and masking tapes used to protect aircraft surfaces during manufacturing, finishing, and maintenance. The standard surface-protection classification is Type IV, Class I, Grade A.
What does Type IV, Class I, Grade A mean?
Type IV identifies the surface-protection / masking tape family; Class I is the standard performance band these tapes are qualified to; and Grade A is the qualified adhesion/performance tier. Most Protex surface-protection papers and films carry this same designation.
What is the difference between BAC 5034 and BAC 5034-4?
BAC 5034 (Type IV/Class I/Grade A) covers surface-protection masking tapes such as the Protex papers and films. BAC 5034-4 is a separate branch covering double-coated and carpet tapes; callouts like "BAC5034-4 Sec. 5.1.a(1)(a)" point to products such as Polyken 105C, while "5.1.a(1)(b)" (flame retardant) points to Polyken 108FR.
Should I use a paper or a film tape for BAC 5034?
Use paper (Protex 5, 10V, 20V) when you need higher tack, scratch protection, and masking through machining operations like routing, drilling, and riveting. Use film (Protex 8216-2L) when you need transparency, UV resistance, clean low-tack removal, or outdoor and high-temperature exposure up to 325°F.
Which Protex tape protects acrylic windows and canopies?
Protex 10V, a 10 mil vinyl-coated latex paper, is made for protecting acrylic and polycarbonate windows, canopies, and windshields where added abrasion resistance is needed. For heavier impact protection, Protex 20V offers a thicker 20 mil backing.
Are these tapes approved for outdoor or fly-away use?
None of the Protex surface-protection tapes are intended for fly-away applications. Only Protex 8216-2L film is rated for prolonged outdoor exposure; the papers should be tested before outdoor use. Always test before use on copper, brass, or anodized aluminum.
Not sure which BAC 5034 tape your job needs?
Send us your spec callout, surface, and process and we'll confirm the right Protex product, stocked widths, lead time, and pricing. Certificate of Conformance available on request.
Ask Our Team →Specification details are provided for reference and are drawn from current Mask-Off Protex technical data sheets. BAC 5034 and BAC 5034-4 are Boeing process specifications; Boeing and BAC are trademarks of The Boeing Company. AIMS is a trademark of Airbus. Typical test values are stated at time of manufacture and are not for use in writing specifications. Always verify requirements against the controlling drawing and the current manufacturer data sheet before purchase.