Experience with 3M VHB Tape

[karrlot]

I am looking for first hand experiences with 3M VHB tape. I've been researching it and have seen on the 3M website that they have a testamonial for a company that builds trailers.

They use it to install panels on the side of the trailer without any other fastners. I saw a stress test with two panels hooked together smashed with a bowling ball. The rivets held up to whacks with a bowling ball. The VHB tape held up 20 whacks.

I'm wondering about two applications on my bus: 1) attaching panels to cover windows, 2) attaching the wooden furring strips to the ceiling.

Has anyone used this on your bus?

 

[Robin97396]

Haven't used that, but you're sure causing a lot of research on it now.

Haven't seen you post for a long time. Good to see you online again.

 

[roach711]

interesting stuff! I'll have to give it a try.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Youch! $235.59 for two rolls of 1" x 36yards (minimum purchase apparently). Of course there is always the 9 roll case for only $959.04.

I guess I'll "stick" with something else.

 

[2kool4skool]

Holds our 2 solar panels on the roof, going on 4 years now. Very clean and roughed up surfaces. Have our fridge partially secured with it also, in addition to screws and L brackets.

Paid way less than Tango's quote for ONE HALF inch stuff.

 

[Iceni John]

3M makes lots of different types of VHB tape - it's important to choose exactly the correct one for your needs. Another thing to consider in a bus, especially for attaching to windows or ceiling, is the tape's maximum heat rating: choose the highest temperature tape that will work for you.

Another option for very high strength bonding is 3M's 5200 marine adhesive. I used it to attach 0.080"-thick 6061 aluminum to steel window frames where I covered two windows on each side, and to attach a single piece of aluminum above the front windows that covers the old front flashers. It takes seven days to cure, but when it's fully cured it's stronger than the substrates. Very impressive.

John

 

[PNW_Steve]

I used 3M 5200 to attach the steel panels over the window openings on my Eagle. I used a 3'x35' piece of steel on each side. I riveted each end and used 5200 on each rib in between.

25 years later nothing has failed.

 

[karrlot]

I used 3M 5200 to attach the steel panels over the window openings on my Eagle. I used a 3'x35' piece of steel on each side. I riveted each end and used 5200 on each rib in between.

25 years later nothing has failed.

Is that the VHB tape?

 

[DT Rutledge]

I used 3M VHB tape to attach the FRP panels over the framed in openings on my bus. I caulked all of the seams with body seam sealer. The bus isn't complete and I havn't driven it since I installed the panels, so I don't know how it will work. I have high confidence it will work fine. They use it to glue in windows on highrises and Boeing uses it to stick on airplane parts.

 

[karrlot]

Holds our 2 solar panels on the roof, going on 4 years now. Very clean and roughed up surfaces. Have our fridge partially secured with it also, in addition to screws and L brackets.

Paid way less than Tango's quote for ONE HALF inch stuff.

Do you recall which tape you used? There are about a bazillion different tapes. Did you have to sand down to bare metal or apply it on the painted metal?

 

[2kool4skool]

Do you recall which tape you used? There are about a bazillion different tapes. Did you have to sand down to bare metal or apply it on the painted metal?

3M VHB Tape 4930, 0.5 in width x 5 yd length (1 Roll)

Lightly sanded the painted metal, there was some metal showing as I recall.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Do you recall which tape you used? There are about a bazillion different tapes. Did you have to sand down to bare metal or apply it on the painted metal?

I'm sure they work fine whichever way you do it. Be aware that the strength of the bond will only be as strong as the grip the paint has on the metal, if you put them on a painted surface.