3M Tape Advice

[BMWAF]

I see a lot of posts talking about attaching things with 3M tape. I couldn't find a definitive thread and after some googling, realised that there seems to be an endless amount of different Automotive 3M tapes.

Can people knowledgeable with this stuff please give me a heads-up on which tapes are best to:

1. Affix small things like Emblems, plates, anti-buffetting pieces, etc. to paintwork - so that they both stick but won't kill the paintwork undeneath.
2. Mask off areas to mark things and/or avoid killing paintwork.

Also, is there a different grade tape generally used for heavier things like spoilers, etc?

Thanks!

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[zrk]

1. VHB
2. Painters tape/masking tape

 

[Fitch]

Also consider buying some 3M primer solution - if you wipe some of that on to a surface after you have cleaned it it creates a MUCH better bond with the tape.

 

[BMWAF]

1. VHB
2. Painters tape/masking tape

Cheers. Is VHB good for both heavy duty applications or just emblems?

Also consider buying some 3M primer solution - if you wipe some of that on to a surface after you have cleaned it it creates a MUCH better bond with the tape.

Will do. Thanks!

 

[zrk]

Cheers. Is VHB good for both heavy duty applications or just emblems?

Both.

 

[Davidr3]

Super strength is also more readily available and gets the job done for me for emblems, spoilers etc

 

[S2k]

I did a bit of reading on this subject (I am sad like that ?) for my spoiler , wind deflectors etc..

So, as other have said VHB is the magic super sticky tape where there seems to be 10000 variants of part numbers for it which seem to come down to tape temperature range, width, thickness and even colour. Using isopropyl alcohol spray/wipes to make sure the surface is clean is one important part. (e.g. Getting wax/oil residue off surface) while the primer will make it stick even more.

I was a bit cautious with primer when it came to putting it on the paint surface of my car as I was concerned how bad it would be to get something off in the future.. (time will tell if my spoiler flies off on the motorway, but so far at 90+ it’s been fine) The only times I did put a little on the car surface is for the wind deflectors where I can imagine there could be quite a bit of wind pressure on them and also the areas of my spoiler where there was a small gap where I felt it may need a bit of extra stick to hold it in place.

On other bits I have bought like emblems etc that include the tape, they have always come with VHB.

 

[BMWAF]

I did a bit of reading on this subject (I am sad like that ?) for my spoiler , wind deflectors etc..

So, as other have said VHB is the magic super sticky tape where there seems to be 10000 variants of part numbers for it which seem to come down to tape temperature range, width, thickness and even colour. Using isopropyl alcohol spray/wipes to make sure the surface is clean is one important part. (e.g. Getting wax/oil residue off surface) while the primer will make it stick even more.

I was a bit cautious with primer when it came to putting it on the paint surface of my car as I was concerned how bad it would be to get something off in the future.. (time will tell if my spoiler flies off on the motorway, but so far at 90+ it’s been fine) The only times I did put a little on the car surface is for the wind deflectors where I can imagine there could be quite a bit of wind pressure on them and also the areas of my spoiler where there was a small gap where I felt it may need a bit of extra stick to hold it in place.

On other bits I have bought like emblems etc that include the tape, they have always come with VHB.

Thanks mate. Good info. I too am a little concerned at how the tape might affect the paint underneath - particularly when using a primer. I also did some investigating myself which led me to creating this thread. So many options, grades, etc. Even VHB seems to come in a variety of guises.. not to mention painters tape: Blue/Green/Automotive/etc.

And since this place is replete with knowledgeable folk, I figured a thread might be in order. ?

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