Skip to content
When it comes to adhesive solutions, double-sided tape stands out as a versatile and reliable option for various applications. From crafting projects to household repairs, double-sided tape offers a convenient and efficient way to bond two surfaces together. However, with numerous options available in the market, choosing the right double-sided tape can be a little bit overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we will address common questions and provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents:
- How to Choose Double-Sided Tape
- Why 3M Double-Sided Tape?
- Longevity of 3M Tape
- HitLights' Selection of Double-Sided Mounting Tapes
- Mounting Tape FAQs
- Conclusion
How to Choose Double-Sided Tape
Choosing the right double-sided tape depends on several factors, including the intended use, surface materials, and environmental conditions. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
1. Consider the Purpose
Different applications require different types of adhesive strength, thickness, and backing materials.
Consider the specific purpose:
- Mounting objects
- Bonding materials
- Attaching Surfaces
Consider the application:
- Use in automotives
- Household use
- Quick fixes in trade shows or events
- Soundproofing
- Tabbing and splicing
- Signages and graphic arts
- General use
Application and use of double-sided tape is not limited to what is listed above, there are various use of this very versatile product:
- Hanging picture frames, mirrors, displays, and signage: Use mounting tape to securely attach these items to walls without the need for nails or screws.
- Mounting items on tile or other stone-like surfaces: Whether you want to hang a shower caddy or attach decorative elements, double-sided tape provides a strong bond without damaging the surface.
- Reattaching plastic edging on tables or appliances: If the edging on your furniture or small appliances has come loose, double-sided tape can help you fix it quickly and easily.
- Fixing plastic-on-plastic connections: Whether you need to reattach emblems, decorative facing pieces, or reconnect latches in your car, double-sided tape can provide a reliable bond.
- Hanging hooks or lightweight decorative shelves: Use mounting tape to hang hooks or shelves, giving you extra storage or display options without the need for drilling holes.
- Quick-fix for crown molding or baseboards: If your crown molding or baseboards are coming loose, mounting tape can provide a temporary or semi-permanent solution until you can make proper repairs.
- Locking outlet strips into place: Prevent your outlet strips from moving or falling off by securing them with double-sided tape.
- Attaching lightweight metal pieces: When nails won't work, double-sided tape can be a convenient alternative for attaching lightweight metal pieces.
Understanding the requirements of your application will help you select the appropriate tape.
2. Surface Compatibility
Check the materials, the items, and the surface area that you intend to bond.
- Glass
- Metal
- Polished Granite/Stones
- Plastic
- Wood
- Fabric
- Brick
Knowing the surface and material that you intend to bond will guide you to the right type of double adhesive tape to use for your project to achieve optimal adhesion.
3. Environmental Factors
Take into account the environmental conditions the tape will be exposed to. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to UV light can affect the tape's performance and durability. Certain tapes are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures or outdoor conditions, making them ideal for specific applications.
- Dry areas
- Wet or damp areas
- Cold or hot
- Tropical temperatures
- Extreme condition
4. Adhesive Type
Double-sided tapes utilize different types of adhesives, including acrylic, rubber, and foam. Acrylic adhesives provide excellent bonding strength and are resistant to aging and UV light. Rubber adhesives offer a flexible bond and are suitable for irregular surfaces. Foam adhesives provide cushioning and conformability. Consider the adhesive type that best suits your application needs.
Foam Tape: Foam tapes are made with a foam carrier and adhesive on both sides. They are excellent for bonding irregular or uneven surfaces, such as wood, metal, plastic, and textured walls. Foam tapes provide cushioning, fill gaps, and can conform to curved or contoured surfaces.
- Film Tape: Film tapes are thin and flexible, offering high clarity and transparency. They are commonly used for bonding smooth surfaces like glass, metal, plastic, and painted walls. Film tapes are available in different materials such as polyester, polypropylene, and vinyl, each offering specific benefits.
- Tissue Tape: Tissue tapes consist of a thin tissue or paper carrier with adhesive on both sides. They are ideal for bonding lightweight materials like paper, cardboard, fabrics, and photographs. Tissue tapes are often used in applications where a low-profile tape is required.
- Transfer Tape: Transfer tapes have adhesive on one side with a release liner on the other side. They are designed to transfer and bond materials together, such as paper, fabric, and lightweight plastics. Transfer tapes are commonly used in crafting, scrapbooking, and assembly applications.
- Carpet Tape: Carpet tapes are specially designed for securing carpets and rugs to various floor surfaces. They provide a strong bond and prevent slipping or movement of the carpet. Carpet tapes are often double-coated, with adhesive on both sides for effective carpet installation.
- Mounting Tape: Mounting tapes are strong and durable, suitable for mounting objects to walls, surfaces, or mounting frames. They can be used for mounting pictures, signs, nameplates, and lightweight objects. Mounting tapes come in various strengths and adhesive options for different mounting needs.
- Acrylic Foam Tape: Acrylic foam tapes are high-performance tapes with a strong adhesive on both sides and a foam core. They provide excellent bonding strength and durability, making them suitable for automotive, construction, and industrial applications. Acrylic foam tapes have good resistance to temperature, UV light, and moisture.
5. Tape Thickness
Tape thickness plays a crucial role in achieving the desired bonding strength. Thicker tapes generally offer higher adhesion performance and can fill gaps between surfaces. However, for certain applications where low profile or flexibility is essential, thinner tapes may be more suitable. Consider the thickness of the tape based on the requirements of your project. Ideally, the thickness of tapes is what we check to compliment the surface area of use.
- Smoother surfaces tends to work well with thinner profile tapes
- Rough and porous surfaces works well with thicker profile tapes
- Note: It is important to note that every tape has a different adhesion depending on the substrate, and it is most important to keep this in mind when choosing a tape. For example, low surface energy plastics like PVA, EVA, polystyrene, acetal, and some paint may require priming with 3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M VHB LSE.
In general, double-sided tapes with thick bonding systems are usually better able to bond to unusual, non-uniform, or highly patterned and textured surfaces. Thick bonding systems usually involve a foam carrier layer and may vary significantly in strength
6. Reviews and Recommendations
Research customer reviews and seek recommendations from trusted sources or professionals in your field. Learning from the experiences of others can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision.
By carefully considering these factors and conducting thorough research, you can identify the best double-sided tape that meets your needs and delivers reliable adhesion.
Why 3M Double-Sided Tape?
3M is a reputable brand known for its quality adhesive products, including double-sided tape. The strength of 3M double-sided tape can vary depending on the specific product and application. However, 3M tapes are generally engineered to provide reliable and long-lasting adhesion.
3M offers a range of double-sided tapes with different adhesive strengths, backings, and thicknesses. The strength of the tape is often indicated by the weight it can hold or the shear strength it can withstand. It is crucial to select the appropriate 3M tape based on the intended application to ensure optimal performance.
Longevity of 3M Tape
The longevity of 3M tape depends on several factors, including the specific product, surface preparation, and environmental conditions. When used correctly and applied to clean and dry surfaces, 3M tape can provide a durable bond that lasts for an extended period.
3M tapes are designed to withstand various environmental factors such as:
- Temperature changes
- Moisture
- UV exposure and many other factors
However, extreme conditions or prolonged exposure to harsh elements can affect the tape's performance over time. It is advisable to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines and select the appropriate 3M tape for your specific application to maximize its longevity.
HitLights' Selection of Double-Sided Mounting Tapes
We take pride in offering a range of high-quality mounting tapes for LED strip lights, each carefully selected and tested to provide optimal performance. Let's explore our top recommendations and the below summary table:
|
Mounting Tapes Summary Table |
||||
|
SKU / Part Number |
Price |
Description and Specs |
Features |
Benefits |
|
$19.97 |
Heavy Duty Foam Waterproof Length: 32 Feet Width: 10mm |
Thicker and Stickier Great for Outdoor use |
For permanent and reliable installation |
|
|
$29.47 |
Heavy Duty Foam Waterproof Length: 100 Feet Width: 10mm |
Thicker and Stickier Great for Outdoor use |
For permanent and reliable installation Longer roll |
|
|
$19.95 |
Double Sided Adhesive Tape, Heavy Duty, VHB Weatherproof Length: 32ft Width: 10mm |
Industrial strength 3M VHB Acrylic Foam 4229P Resists harsh heat |
Ultimate installation solution for extreme adhesion and temperature projects with smooth and clean surfaces |
|
|
$22.97 |
Double Sided Tape, 3M VHB Mounting Tape Heavy Duty Waterproof Length: 16ft Width:24mm |
Thicker and Stickier Great for Outdoor use Multipurpose VHB Tape |
General applications and use in home and on installations even for painted surfaces |
|
|
$13.95 |
Double Sided Tape, Transparent VHB Heavy Duty Waterproof for Car Motorcycle Home Wall Office Decor Length: 16ft Width: 24mm |
Heavy-duty transparent tape Weatherproof Multipurpose VHB Tape |
General applications and use in home and for outdoor installations for smooth and rough surfaces |
|
|
$17.95 |
Double Sided Tape, Waterproof VHB Mounting Tape Heavy Duty Length: 16ft Width: 24mm |
Super Strong High-Density Foam Seal Tape |
General applications and use in home and for outdoor installations on smooth surfaces |
|
|
$9.97 |
Double Sided Tape, 3M VHB Mounting Tape Heavy Duty, Waterproof Foam Tape Length: 10FT Width: 10mm |
Heavy-duty strong adhesion Multipurpose Tape |
General applications and use in home and for outdoor installations on variety of surfaces |
|
|
$19.99 |
Double Sided Tape Heavy Duty, Waterproof Length: 164ft Width: 10mm |
Heavy-duty strong adhesion Removable & Traceless Tape Multipurpose Tape |
General applications and use in home and for outdoor installations on smooth surfaces |
|
Don't Just Take Our Word For It!
Customer reviews speak volumes about the performance and reliability of our mounting tapes. Here are some testimonials from satisfied customers:
Mounting Tape FAQs:
Question: What does VHB mean?
Answer: Very High Bond. This is a grade of tape that can be used for mounting and supporting heavier items.
Question: Is mounting tape removable?
Answer: Our mounting tapes are intended for permanent or semi-permanent applications. Tape can be removed, but there is a chance of hurting the mounted surface, so demonstrate care.
Question: Any tips for removing mounting tape?
Answer: Use a heat gun to soften adhesive before attempting to remove tape. A flat utility knife can be gently used to break the bond of tape and surface before removing.
Question: Is the 3M VHB tape really from 3M?
Answer: Yes! We have the option of partnering with any number of tape manufacturers and we choose to offer 3M tape to our customers.
Question: Is mounting tape easy to use?
Answer: Simply clean the surface where you want to place the tape. Make sure it is dry and fingerprint free (to avoid any oils/dirt.) Refer to the specific instructions of each tape as some products require up to 72 hours before bond is fully created.
Question: Is your mounting tape only for LED strip lights?
Answer: No! There are dozens of uses for our double-sided mounting tape. In general, it is versatile and flexible for your home decor and other installation needs.
Conclusion
Double-sided tape is an invaluable tool for various applications, offering a convenient and efficient way to bond surfaces together. It becomes a strong support to quick,easy, and permanent LED installations or projects.
While alternatives such as liquid adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic tape, and adhesive putty exist, double-sided tape remains a reliable and versatile choice for many applications. Brands like 3M provide a wide range of options, offering different strengths and durability to meet various needs.
If you need any help in designing your next lighting project or if you have any additional questions about which mounting tape to choose, feel free to reach out to us at customerservice@hitlights.com or give us a call at 1 (855) 768-4135. Our team of expert engineers and electricians are here to assist you every step of the way!