Waterproof velcro/two-sided tape?

Danny_Ocean · 09-19-2007, 05:33 PM

I'm attempting to adhere a small (3 ~ 4 oz.) XM Satellite antenna to the side of a glass building. Is anyone aware of a waterproof velcro or two-sided tape?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

I'm attempting to adhere a small (3 ~ 4 oz.) XM Satellite antenna to the side of a glass building. Is anyone aware of a waterproof velcro or two-sided tape?

Danny,

When I designed and sold windshield radar detector mounts I worked with 3M to get the ideal adhesive on a double-sided foam tape. The harsh extremes behind a windshield pose quite a challenge. I was very happy with the performance of the tapes they provided.

If you Google and contact a rep in their adhesives division you should be able to identify a tape/adhesive combo that will perform under the specific conditions you outline.

As far as Velcro is concerned you have other considerations. While Velcro utilizes a mechanical bond the material it's made of is subject to degradation when exposed, long term, to UV and the elements. Also how is the Velcro attached to the glass and antenna......here you'll have to visit adhesive properties and source a supplier that can manufacture the right combo for you.

Here's a link to 3M reclosable and dual sided tape division. Don't be afraid to contact them and ask for an engineer.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Manufacturing/Industry/Product-Catalog/Bonding-Solutions/

Danny_Ocean · 09-19-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickM

Danny,

When I designed and sold windshield radar detector mounts I worked with 3M to get the ideal adhesive on a double-sided foam tape. The harsh extremes behind a windshield pose quite a challenge. I was very happy with the performance of the tapes they provided.

If you Google and contact a rep in their adhesives division you should be able to identify a tape/adhesive combo that will perform under the specific conditions you outline.

As far as Velcro is concerned you have other considerations. While Velcro utilizes a mechanical bond the material it's made of is subject to degradation when exposed, long term, to UV and the elements. Also how is the Velcro attached to the glass and antenna......here you'll have to visit adhesive properties and source a supplier that can manufacture the right combo for you.

Here's a link to 3M reclosable and dual sided tape division. Don't be afraid to contact them and ask for an engineer.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Manufacturing/Industry/Product-Catalog/Bonding-Solutions/

Thanks for the great info. This is just a one-time thing, though. Not sure I need to get engineers involved. I need two pieces, about 3" x 3" ea.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Oh, OK, thought it was for a business application.

The link shows off-the-shelf products that you should be able to use. I can say that what I found at hardware stores (years ago) was very light duty in nature.

dad911 · 09-19-2007, 07:49 PM

How about a dab of silicone caulk? It will be easy to clean off the glass later with a razor blade.

Or double sided tape sold at auto parts stores for applying body moldings.

Danny_Ocean · 09-19-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

How about a dab of silicone caulk? It will be easy to clean off the glass later with a razor blade.

Yeah, that's an idea. Silicone will adhere well to glass? The backside of the antenna is aluminum (or steel). I just don't want to stand on the side of the building with my ladder holding this sucker in place while the silicone dries.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Another product I researched and utilized for glass adherence were suction cups. If you have high quality cups and clean glass it's going nowhere.

kstar · 09-19-2007, 08:26 PM

Try here:
http://www.3mestore.com/3m-high-performance-double-coated-tape.html

Some good stuff here and one or two of these looks like it can take UV/weather . . . probably even overkill.

Best,

Kurt

VINMAN · 09-20-2007, 03:53 AM

The 3M velcro tape used on the EZ-Pass tags is excellent. Its almost impossible to get off

onewhippedpuppy · 09-20-2007, 04:20 AM

We use 3M reclosable fasteners for aerospace interior fasteners (non-critical, non-structural). To be effective it has to resist a significant amount of vibration. Basically, they have quality stuff. Give their website a good once-over, they might have exactly what you need.

There's some pretty strong double sided tape out there too, such as the stuff used to attach exterior cell phone antennas to your car window. Not sure if they sell it seperate from antennas, but something like that would be excellent.

Rot 911 · 09-20-2007, 05:11 AM

This is turning into an exercise in over engineering. Like was said previously, just go to an auto parts store and buy a small roll of 3M body molding tape. It is the stuff that holds the door trim on the side of your car. It will not be coming off regardless of the weather.

onewhippedpuppy · 09-20-2007, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

This is turning into an exercise in over engineering. Like was said previously, just go to an auto parts store and buy a small roll of 3M body molding tape. It is the stuff that holds the door trim on the side of your car. It will not be coming off regardless of the weather.

Over-engineering = job security.

rammstein · 09-20-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Over-engineering = job security.

Over-Engineering is probably the most fun you can have on a Saturday. I recommend silicone, coupled with velcro and suction cups, plus some 5 minute epoxy, and a safety chain.

An XM antenna weighs around what, 4 ounces?

This thread is great!

stomachmonkey · 09-20-2007, 07:39 AM

Rear view mirror adhesive?

Curious, does it have to go on the outside?

Will it work on the inside of the glass?

pwd72s · 09-20-2007, 07:41 AM

Why not the goop used to glue a rear view mirror to the inside of a windshield?

kstar · 09-20-2007, 07:55 AM

If you want to be safe, you need to fuse the XM antenna's case to the glass window at a molecular level.

I think some combination of directed microwaves (at the appropriate frequency!) and a plasma torch might be appropriate.

Best,

Kurt

teenerted1 · 09-20-2007, 08:32 AM

dont those come with the tape you need to attach to a car? i would think just about anything that will work on glass will hold just fine.

Danny_Ocean · 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teenerted1

dont those come with the tape you need to attach to a car?

It's not an antenna from a car. It is the antenna for home/business use.

The "genius" XM installer set the antenna(s) up inside the office building pointing out the window. Then he and the client couldn't establish why the signal kept fading in/out..."oh, well...what the heck. I've "installed" the unit, now pay me!".

XM paid him for the install and "pow"....watch his dust as he moves on to the next "professional" (cough, cough) installation.

Client asked me to look at the install to figure out why signal kept fading. Hmmm...could these mirrored office windows COATED WITH METALLIC REFLECTIVE FILM have anything to do with the signal not getting through?

So, I drilled holes in the aluminum frame surrounding the windows, pushed the antenna wire through from the outside and using "plain 'ole two-sided tape", affixed the antennas to the glass, pointing in an upward direction. Wow! The music sounds great! No fade! Gee...perhaps XM should pay me to do installs? Nah. Couldn't possibly qualify for the position as I'm not half brain-dead.

So, I informed the client I would be back with some heavy-duty two-sided tape to replace the "experimental" tape I used.

And here we are...