Double-Sided Sticky Tape Question...
 

It's rare that I have a tech question, but here goes:

I need to mount some emblems to the 308. They are large side panel badges about 200% bigger than the Porsche crest. They do not have posts in the back. They are very nice and about $120/set (worth it). The people who make these said to use double-sided tape to attach them to the car.

My questions are:

- Which tape would you recommend? I got some from Home Depot, but I'm not sure if that tape would deteriorate with exposure to car washes and other elements? What is the best tape out there for this application?

- What would you suggest I do to prep the area of the car where this is going? The car is waxed (water beads quite well), and I would suspect would not be a great mounting surface for tape in it's current incarnation.

Any suggestions?

-Wayne

It's nice to be able to return the favor and provide an answer to you for a change.

Auto paint stores carry special double sided tape for emblems. They may advise you to clean the area of wax first to improve adhesion. The stuff at the 'Home Desperate' seems to be too thick and mighty white. Good luck

A wild guess that there is a 3M product designed for badges and a Google search turned up this:

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GSGKG4NYY4be/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/gvel_PFJJLT9ZQXgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

Tom

I found two by 3M at HD, one was heavy duty clear, and the other was a super strong gray. I decided to go w/ the clear for my 911sc emblem for my deck lid.

You took a picture of my C2 tail at Dunkels (the 3.6 badge) and probably didn’t even notice the 911sc emblem was taped on. So far it has held up to the heat on the deck lid and has worked out great.

What Rick said.

Wayne,

My suggestion would be to use 3m's Paint Cleaner -- available at automotive paint stores ... to the area where you intend to place the emblem, before you apply the double-sided tape. It removes traces of silicones or waxes, etc.

Wayne, 3M makes a specific double sided badge mounting tape. It is very different from the type the local hardware store carries. You should not have any trouble locating it at an auto paint and body supply shop. I have used it many times on different vehicles, before appling wiped down with the surface cleaner, won't hurt the paint, just removes waxes and such for optimum adhesion. At some of the larger supply shops, they have or can get the die-cut tape for your specific emblem, makes it a little easier instead of havine to trim for the letter openings and shapes.

Wayne,

I work at LUND (truck visors and running boards and stuff)...we make many things held on with DSST...we get ours from 3M. it works great.

trim and body shops should have it, as they reuse emblems after repainting a panel. I agree with 3.2 cab.

sjd

Is this a Ferrari board or a 911 board? :D Moderators!!!! Modorators! We have a problem here! :D

Just kidding Wayne. Definitely clean the surface of wax and such. For cheapo jobs I usually just use alcohol, but for a Ferrari, use the 3M stuff Warren mentioned. Try to confine the area of application. Then wax the area and sticker when done.

I've helped attach fiberglass panels on a car with 3M 06380. They were screwed on the ends but the tape secures the olng edges to the body. Very good stuff that forms a strong bond. Been driving the car for years and it still sticks well.

http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?333333SQa783cMj3wMj333_UPudJkZN &-

Wayne, I own a sign company and we use a variety of high-quality double-sided tapes for different applications. We only use 3M products, and the strongest is called VHB (Very High Bond), which we use for assembling metal parts on multi-leveled signs for exterior use. It's white and 1/16" thick. If your emblem and the surface are relatively flat, this would be ideal. If you hold it back from the edge of the emblem a bit you'll never see the white. Let me know and I'll send whatever you need to do the job.

RE: the waxed surface, just get it all off down to bare paint.

Wayne,

Cannot add much to the above about the type of tape but if its not on a flat surface like a hood, please use tape to hold it on the surface for the first few hours.

Have seen several things like this "slide" down due to gravity if not secured. A bit of tape keeps it in line and in place.

Joe

Did you do a search man!!! this comes up all the time :-)) Just kidding!!

This is an off-topic post and should be moved. ;)

Aren't you just tempting some kid walking by your car to rip one of those cloisonne emblems right off the quarter panel? Double-sided tape???

Once he sees how easy the first one was, he'll circle for the second.

Wayne,

I have had good luck with the 3M VHB (VERY HIGH BOND) doublesided tapes. This the tape used to mount rockers and bumper skins. I have friends that hve tried to reomve this tape once it is installed and have done major damage to the surrounding aresa. Once on, it is very difficult to remove.

Bad news- pretty expensive from auto body shops.

Good news- found same 3m VHB tape at "Target". 10ft x 1" for a couple of bucks.

When I installed my 911SC badge, I went to the auto store and bought something called Lord Fusor 712, or something like that. It's double sided tape. I trimmed it slightly smaller than the badge so it wouldn't squish out, and installed the badge. I think it would take a team of horses to pull that badge off now - that tape is strong.

I can only reinforce the good info here on 3M. Their tapes are application specific and they have numerous types. I used to use one that was formulated just for vinyl to glass. There is an initial cure period. After that, it will take some effort for vandals to pry the emblem off. It won't fall off if you prep right, just like they said. 3M is light years ahead on this. We looked around.

No way! You'd rip your fingernails off before you budged this stuff. It's even difficult using a tool.

I found this stuff:

http://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=4024

but I think you guys are right - I will head to an autobody paint store (there's one on Rosecrans in Hawthorne) to see what they have in stock. I hadn't thought of that. I'll order the tape if they don't have the VHB stuff...

Thanks!

-Wayne