#DOUBLE SIDED FABRIC TAPE WALL HOW TO#

To learn more about how ECHOtape can help you, read about our tape obsession here.

Ensure the tape and the surface is warm enough.įor more information about double-sided tape, please visit The Complete Technical Guide to Double Sided Tape.

Whether you’re using general purpose tape for school projects or permanent double-sided tape for industrial projects, the process is generally the same: Now that you’ve figured out why your tape didn’t stick, here are the best ways to ensure success. Sometimes preventing tape failure is as simple as slowing down and paying attention to detail. Read more about extending the shelf life of your tape here.ĭid you clean the surface before applying the tape?ĭid you remember to remove the liner? (Yes, that happened!) When materials are bought in bulk and stored in dusty, wet or extremely hot or cold conditions for extended periods, the adhesive deteriorates. If you leave milk on the counter overnight, it spoils. In this scenario, 1/4” wide might fall, but 1/2″ might do it.

Think of it this way: Is there a big enough surface of sticky stuff applied to a substrate to hold the weight of the object stuck to the other side of the tape? Likewise, does the “other side” have a large enough surface of sticky stuff applied to it to hold the weight of the object? For example: If you need to adhere poly sheeting to a wall, you need to have a wide enough strip of double-coated tape to be able to hold the weight of the poly sheeting to the wall. The correct surface contact to weight ratio plays a factor. This will considerably reduce any tendency to migrate, thereby preventing tape failure. When using this type of material, choose a high-quality, double-coated tape specifically designed for PVC applications. If a typical pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to PVC and allowed to remain in place for a prolonged period, the plasticizer will migrate from the PVC surface into the pressure-sensitive adhesive making the glue a gummy mess. This movement is known as “migration.”įor example, consider PVC: plasticized to provide flexibility, it is a lower-cost, lower-molecular weight material. Liquids such as oils, plasticizers, and dyes are a lighter weight material and can therefore easily “move” from the product (the surface) to be absorbed by any adjacent material (the tape). If the area where you will be using the tape sees above-average UV exposure, you may need to consider a different tool for the job. Absolutely not the qualities you want in a tape that needs to hold for any duration in a particular application. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can cause certain chemical materials (such as natural and some synthetic rubbers as well as polyethylene) to become hard and brittle. To prevent tape failure, prepare the surface, give it a quick wash with rubbing alcohol and dry it with a clean cloth. Traces of dust, dirt, grease, and even the slightest hint of moisture before bonding will contaminate the adhesive surface and act as a barrier between the two. If you must work at lower temperatures, then use a temperature-sensitive double-sided tape specifically designed for colder climates. And on the flip side, extremely high temperatures can cause the adhesive to melt and lose its strength. Are both the tape and the surface at least 18✬/65✯? The tackiness of the adhesive tape is very temperature-dependent, and the colder the conditions, the weaker the bond will be. When in doubt, test the adhesive first to prevent tape failure.Ĭarefully factor in the temperature. Or, perhaps, it’s too aggressive and caused damage to the surface it was applied to. Maybe the one you chose isn’t aggressive enough and it fell off. Not all double-sided tapes are created equal. The package label made lofty promises, but generally speaking, adhesive testing should always be done before using double-sided tape.

#DOUBLE SIDED FABRIC TAPE WALL HOW TO#

Here are the 8 most common reasons your double-sided tape won’t stick and how to prevent tape failure. It’s easy to assume the tape itself is to blame, but truth be told, there are some other usual suspects to consider first.

Heavy-duty double-sided tape is useful in a wide range of construction scenarios, but no tool is perfect for every job.

Double sided fabric tape wall