De-ice boots are a very important part of an aircraft. De-ice boots inflate with air and shed the ice off of the wings. If they are not protected they can develop cracks which leak air. The boot will eventually not be effective with shedding ice during flight which could be a deadly situation.
First we need to check which brand or type of de-ice boot is on the leading edges. Different boots have different coatings.
When applying we will tape around the de-ice boot we are applying the coating on. Getting sealant on the conductive cement which is in-between the de-ice boot and painted surface is unsightly. A good tape line will keep you in line.