Paper Outer Liner: Corner Flaps to Hold On To

Source: In-house
Step: STEP 1, for the benefit of STEP 4
Size used: Size 2
How it went: Able to consistently tear or peel off the Paper Outer Liner in manageable pieces.

The Paper Outer Liner (POL) comes off after the patch is already on your skin. It's the last step, and for most people it's the easy part. But it's also the step where you have the least to grab, because the liner sits flush against the tape and there is no natural edge to pinch.

This gives you one.

During STEP 1, after you fold the patch both ways and the POL pops along its horizontal score, the two halves lift slightly away from each other. That gap is enough to slip the tips of your scissors in.

Make a short cut perpendicular to the score, no more than a quarter inch. Do the same on the other side. You now have small corner flaps standing proud of the liner, and when you reach STEP 4 you have something to pinch instead of chasing a flat edge with a fingernail.

A few cautions.

The cut goes into the POL only. Insert the scissor tips into the popped score, not through the patch. If the score has not opened, fold again rather than forcing the scissors.
Keep it short. A quarter inch is plenty. Longer cuts start working against the liner's job, which is holding the tape flat until you are ready.

This is not the Precision Peel applied to the outer liner. A short notch at the open score is all the POL needs. Try it on your next patch.

More from the Pit Crew soon. 🏁