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05-01-2015, 02:41 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MeNo$, Wisconsin
Trailer: 19' - Oct 2o15
Posts: 29
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VHB Tape
Good Morning - -
I had never heard of VHB tape until I started reading this forum & I am trying to understand what it can/cannot do.
In the process, I came across a "how to use" it on the fiberglassrv forum and would like to know how others have used this product and what are their hints and concerns are about the use of this tape.
Do these suggestions add up ?
Things to be careful of when using it ?
How have you used the tape ?
Successes & Failures ?
Do you have any regrets using it ?
Thank You for Your Time & Input.
Have A GReat Day & A Better Weekend.
uw
= = = =
VHB Tape Recommendations from 3m
A lot of folks are using VHB tape to attach various things to their Fiberglass campers. I posted this to another thread, but figured it might get buried, so here it is:
re: 3m VHB tape for solar panels, and awnings
3m's support has been excellent. We were at the annual trade show for our hardware store supplier in Orlando in late Feb. 2015. I had some questions about mounting a solar panel with VHB tape. There was a member of the technical department at the 3m booth. He answered nearly all my questions and while I waited, he called another tech person at 3m when he did not have an answer to one of the questions.
That question was about surface preparation of fiberglass before applying VHB tape. The "VHB Tape" specialist on the phone call from the office recommended using Acetone to clean the fiberglass gelcoat, then clean off the Acetone residue with alcohol, (even though Acetone evaporates quickly, it does leave a very light residue) and then a light scuffing using a Scotch Brite type pad or very light touch with very fine sandpaper before applying the VHB tape. He said Not to use MEK as a cleaner or prep, as that might soften the Fiberglass.
The tech rep. at the show also mentioned the fact that you should wait at least 24 hours, and preferably more, before putting full weight on the item. He noted that one big reason VHB tape was developed was to hold Automotive Side Molding on to Cars and Trucks, and that in the past, 3m sold more VHB tape to Auto manufacturers than to anyone else. He also said that Scotch, "Extreme Mounting Tape" #414, sold at many hardware stores, is consumer packaging of VHB tape. That product is advertised to hold 20# for a 40" strip, or 1/2# per square inch. There is another Scotch 3m product that says it will hold 10#per 40" strip, but that is not true VHB tape. #414 is 1"x60", and sells for around $7-10, but appears about .025 thick--and most folks have been using the .045 thick VHB tape for most purposes on our FGRV's. So, if you can use the thinner version of VHB, it's available on the shelf at many Hardware Stores.
And, most all sizes and thicknesses are available through Grainger, but almost always require a 2 day wait. That was the case when I ordered some VHB tape to install bendable solar panels on our Eggcamper. Grainger ordered it from a regional warehouse and I picked it up at the local branch store in 2 days. Still haven't installed the panels yet, but hope to soon. Maybe I'll install an awning with VHB also.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f56/vhb-tape-recommendations-from-3m-68841.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email& utm_campaign=Feed%3A+fiberglassrv+%28Fiberglass+RV +-+Emails%29
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05-01-2015, 09:21 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Missoula, Montana
Trailer: Escape 19, 2018: Last Best Escape
Posts: 395
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Nearly everything I mount in the Escape is mounted with VHB tape. No holes, no marks -- works great. I'll bet I've used 10 feet of the stuff in our current Escape 19 and a similar amount in our former 17 B. All the Umbra hooks are mounted with VHB tape. I've had one "failure" where the item fell off. I simply cleaned the area with alcohol and remounted. It's been there, with heavy items hanging on it now, for quite a while. Great stuff!
Klaus
__________________
2018 Escape 19: Last Best Escape
2015 Escape 19 (previous): Escape Goats
2011 Escape 17 (previous): SittEscape
Honda Pilot 2019
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05-01-2015, 10:39 AM
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#3
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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I use at least 200 ft a year of 3M VHB tapes every year for my products; selection of the right tape is one piece of the puzzle. Biggest success factor is prep and curing of the tape prior to attaching much weight; 24 hour minimum per 3M specs.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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05-01-2015, 11:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Longview, WA, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15B - 2014 Nissan Frontier SL
Posts: 854
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My awning rails are attached with VHB. They have been hanging on the outside for two years. VHB is also used to attach the gutter material and now my new snaps. Pictures on our site. https://sites.google.com/site/ouresc...utside-awnings
__________________
Tim and Julie
2013 Escape 15B
2014 Nissan Frontier, Previous 2012 Santa Fe
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05-01-2015, 11:19 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Longview, WA, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15B - 2014 Nissan Frontier SL
Posts: 854
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
I use at least 200 ft a year of 3M VHB tapes every year for my products; selection of the right tape is one piece of the puzzle. Biggest success factor is prep and curing of the tape prior to attaching much weight; 24 hour minimum per 3M specs.
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Do you have a simple way of identifying which tape ( e.g. Number) and a handy retail outlet (e.g. Amazon )? Sourcing the tape is the biggest problem so you could help us all out on this one. Thanks.
__________________
Tim and Julie
2013 Escape 15B
2014 Nissan Frontier, Previous 2012 Santa Fe
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05-01-2015, 12:25 PM
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#6
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Amazon is a good source for smaller quantities of VHB tapes. My primary tape is RP-45 by 3M; outdoor rated closed cell foam. I use the 0.045 thick (1mm) as it conforms well to irregular surface, damps a bit more vibration, and is thick enough to be cut with a thin blade for removal if desired later.
It is a bit spendy - I pay about 5 cents an inch (wholesale) for 1 inch wide when buying 12 inch rolls.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...%2Ck%3Arp45+3m
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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05-01-2015, 01:08 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Antelope, California
Trailer: 2009 17B "Suite Escape" pulled by a 2020 Toyota Sienna
Posts: 1,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksitte
Nearly everything I mount in the Escape is mounted with VHB tape. No holes, no marks -- works great. I'll bet I've used 10 feet of the stuff in our current Escape 19 and a similar amount in our former 17 B. All the Umbra hooks are mounted with VHB tape. I've had one "failure" where the item fell off. I simply cleaned the area with alcohol and remounted. It's been there, with heavy items hanging on it now, for quite a while. Great stuff!
Klaus
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I have been reluctant to use any kind of tape on the flat "wood" surfaces, for fear the surface could be pulled off, (like wallpaper). If I understand correctly, this tape is safe, isn't it?
__________________
Peace and Sunshine
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05-01-2015, 02:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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3M Command is safe, if you follow the instructions for removal.
VHB stands for "very high bond" so I doubt it is safe for that application, if you expect to remove it.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-01-2015, 02:20 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Southern Alberta, Alberta
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 1,734
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
3M Command is safe, if you follow the instructions for removal.
VHB stands for "very high bond" so I doubt it is safe for that application, if you expect to remove it.
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When are you going to start drilling holes Glenn
Cheers
Doug
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Cheers
Doug
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05-01-2015, 02:58 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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The only holes I've drilled were into the bath wall beside the stove top. They are about 1/8 inch deep ( didn't want to go into the shower ) and were only needed for cosmetic reasons. The magnetic knife holder is actually held up with double-sided tape. Normally these screws would hold it. So I needed to fill those holes and hold the magnet bar to the mount.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-01-2015, 06:35 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Trailer: Scamp 2010 D19
Posts: 20
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I purchased a roll of clear VHB tape (#4910) from Amazon when I installed our window awnings in late 2012. I used the same product to install our solar panel mount this past year. I've been VERY happy with how well it has worked.
__________________
John Schroeder
https://justfinding.blogspot.com
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05-01-2015, 08:49 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Nice blog there, John.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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05-01-2015, 10:20 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Trailer: Scamp 2010 D19
Posts: 20
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Thanks, Jim
__________________
John Schroeder
https://justfinding.blogspot.com
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