Double-sided tape is a DIY must-have

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In DIY, and especially in home DIY, very often situations arise in which we have to fix various types of objects. Normally we resort to drilling, screwing and nailing, using traditional methods.

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However, there is another infinitely easier, faster and cleaner way. How about, for example, presenting a painting in the right place, dropping it, and magically suspending it indefinitely? It would be fine, right? Well today we propose a system that makes it possible. If you want to see what it consists of, be sure to read this article.

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In the adhesives and fixings sector, as in any other sector, for a few years now, research, innovation and development have acquired great importance, becoming one of the main priorities, since it is a way to make a difference.

Mounting adhesives are well known, which fix and join objects made of various materials, achieving a very solid union. These have displaced, in certain situations, the traditional mechanical joining methods such as, among others, screws, lag screws, clamps, nails, and a long etc.

Well, now it is starting to hit hard and gain ground, another system that is even easier and cleaner… it is the double-sided adhesive tape.

Below we will talk about the different types, advantages and characteristics, as well as the simple procedure for applying the latest generation double-sided tape from tesa, an expert manufacturer of adhesives.

Characteristics of double-sided adhesive tape

tesa has been able to put into practice one of the maxims of Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance painter, anatomist, scientist, sculptor, philosopher, poet and engineer, who said… “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.

tesa® Powerbond double-sided adhesive tape, seen from the outside, might seem simple and old, but to have the properties it has, behind the apparent simplicity there is much more. We are going to briefly explain what this fixing system consists of.

The key is in the composition of the polymers used. This composition has two states:

State 1

When the tape grips an object, the flexible polymer chains provide extraordinary adhesion.

State 2

But when the tape is stretched, it changes to the second state, in which the adhesive bonds are released, peeling off without leaving the slightest trace.

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Types and varieties

Within the wide portfolio that the aforementioned brand markets, we will focus solely on the tesa Powerbond range. This range of double-sided adhesive tapes provide various solutions, among which are:

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Ultra Strong Tape

It is stronger than the previous one. It is specially designed to hang securely and extra strong on solid surfaces such as tiles, metal and plastics. Minor surface irregularities do not affect or diminish the properties of the adhesive tape, since they are absorbed by it. It is capable of supporting up to 10 kg for every 10 cm of tape in optimal conditions.

indoor tape

Suitable for fast and secure fixing of flat objects, suitable for many home and office situations. Supports up to 5 kg for every 10 cm of tape.

Special tape for wet areas and mirrors

This variety of adhesive tape has a great adhesion capacity, even in humid environments such as bathrooms. Supports mirrors up to 70×70 cm with a thickness of up to 4 mm; and is especially suitable for hanging mirrors.

Outdoor Tape

The outdoor tape allows to fix objects on tile, brick, stone, metal and plastics. It is resistant to weather, humidity, UV rays and thermal changes, which makes it suitable for all outdoor applications. Supports up to 1 kg for every 10 cm of tape.

Transparent tape

Finally, there is the transparent, extra-fine adhesive tape that is suitable for flat and firm surfaces such as glass, mirrors, tiles, wood and plastics. In good adhesion conditions, a strip of only 10 cm supports up to 2 kg of weight.

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Advantages of double-sided tape

Just a few advantages make it unique, making a difference.

Cleaning

No more measuring and marking, and drilling tiles, brick or any other construction material and, therefore, getting dirty. With tesa double-sided tapes, not a speck of dust is created during the entire installation.

Quick and easy installation

Just stick the tape and you’re done. It’s that simple!!

immediate grip

The grip is immediate upon placement, reaching its maximum resistance at that very moment.

Clean and fast uninstall

Just like the installation, the uninstallation of the tape is just as simple and clean. You just have to pull the tab parallel to the wall and the tape will peel off without resistance, leaving the wall free of the slightest trace of adhesive.

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How to install

Before listing the different steps and going into detail about each of them, as a picture is worth a thousand words, we want to show you a demonstration video so you can see how tremendously simple it can be.

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Demonstration video installation of double-sided adhesive tape

The installation for these five variants of adhesive tape is common, except for an additional step that will have to be carried out in the case of joints that will be exposed to moisture.

Step 1 – Clean the surfaces to be joined

For an optimal result, we must ensure that the two surfaces to be joined are free of dust, grease and dirt. To do this, we must clean them with alcohol or another cleaner silicone free. This last detail is very important.

Step 1 Bis – Waterproof the area

If the joint is going to be exposed to moisture, as may be the case in bathrooms or outdoor areas, before installing the tape, we must waterproof the area. To do this, we will use tesa Powerstrips Waterproof wipes and, in this way, we will achieve a waterproof adhesion.

Step 2 – Select the first face to paste

For a correct application, we will have to stick the tape first to the roughest part of the joint. Therefore, we will have to observe if the object is rougher than the surface where it will be stuck, or vice versa.

Step 3 – Apply the tape

Once we are clear on which of the two parts we have to stick the tape on first, we apply it vertically along the object, leaving a separation between strip and strip, which will depend on the weight of the object and its bulk.

As the upper part is where it receives the most load, we will have to reinforce it by applying extra pieces of tape.

The application is as simple as unrolling the tape while sticking it on. Once the strip is glued, we cut it with scissors, and press for 5 seconds.

Step 4 – Making the union

First of all, we have to remove the protective layer of the face that is still not glued, taking special care not to touch the adhesive surface.

The object to be fixed, we present it in the desired position and, once in place, we approach it towards the surface making contact, and we press only for 5 seconds.

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As you have seen, now fixings could not be faster, cleaner, easier and more comfortable to perform.

Have you already used double-sided adhesive tape? Tell us your experience!!