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Has anyone used 3M VHB tape
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:32 pmby corncountry
Has anyone out there used 3M VHB tape to fasten aluminum sheets to steel frame? If this works it would give a cleaner look to the sides.
Jim
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:12 pmby caseydog
Based on it other uses in the automotive and heavy truck industries, I would think it would be awesome for skinning a TD. It is even used to hold glass onto steel and curtain wall buildings.
CD
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:20 pmby tinksdad
I believe the Towster's skins were applied using the tape. I'm just too lazy to look for the thread.
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:26 pmby Ageless
Bear with me as I worked 36 years with all sorts of materials
Which tape?
3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape 4910 40 mil clear, closed-cell acrylic carrier. Excellent for joining transparent material. Film liner.
3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape 4941 45 mil Gray closed-cell acrylic foam carrier. Conformable. Good adhesion to many painted metals. Plasticizer resistant. UL 746C recognition is listed in UL File MH 17478.
3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape 4943F 45 mil gray conformable foam. Can be applied as low as 32 Degrees F (0 Degrees C). Film Liner.
3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape 4947F This is a black 45 mil acrylic foam tape.
3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape 4956 62 mil gray closed-cell acrylic foam carrier. Conformable. Good adhesion to many painted metals. Plasticizer resistant. UL 746C recognition is listed in UL File MH 17478.
3Mâ„¢ VHBâ„¢ Tape 5952 45 mil gray closed-cell acrylic foam carrier. Conformable. Good adhesion to many powder coated surfaces and plastics. UL 746C recognition is listed in UL File MH 17478.
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:20 pmby corncountry
Thanks for the info. everyone.
Ageless,
Now you have me really confused, as to which tape to use.
Based on price and performance , which one would you pick?
Jim
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:42 pmby regis101
Posted:
Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:02 pmby Ageless
Two are listed with UL; this would be the types approved for construction, vehicles and even aviation. FAA is very strict as what can get inside the plant.
Posted:
Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:35 amby Ageless
Posted:
Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:15 pmby Billy Onions
I haven't used it yet but intend to.
My findings on a previous thread
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ht=#554777
The biggest concern for me was my frame was hot dip galvanized. I recently applied mordent solution to it since I tool the photos in my album to take the shine off the surface.
Posted:
Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:41 pmby halfdome, Danny
I purchased 3M Tape 4941 3/4 x 36 YD VHB 45Mil Dark Grey to hold my side aluminum lap seam. I thought it was too thick compared to some 3M tape that I used before for the same purpose. I took it back to R.S. Hughes in Seattle and asked for something thinner. He sold me 3M Tape 4950 1 x 36 YD VHB 45 Mil white. It was when I was already charged on my credit card that I found out the difference in the two tapes. I was charged $34.04 + tax for the first roll and $146.33 + tax for the second roll. For that price I'd have to make 3 more teardrops to use up the roll. As you can see he didn't supply me with thinner tape. So much for me ever shopping at that supplier. I was told some of the VHB tapes are sold only to commercial trailer manufacturers. It seems to be holding the seam quite well and I would recommend it for attaching aluminum to aluminum. They had a small sample of two small aluminum "I" beams held together with VHB tape and it was as if they were welded together. You'll need to use rubbing alcohol to clean your surfaces before adhering them together. As noted this tape can be quite expensive so be aware of what your buying. 
Danny
Posted:
Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:22 pmby corncountry
I just checked on prices of 3M VHB tape. $$$$
4956F 1â€
Posted:
Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:47 pmby aggie79
I not to this point in my build yet, but I plan on using VHB tape to splice aluminum sheeting together for my roof. I bought a single roll of 3m 4950 from Jamestown Distributors. It is expensive - about $90 per roll.
3m adheshive
Posted:
Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:02 pmby cappy208
Posted:
Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:08 pmby jdaan
Has anyone used this on AL trim? More specifically, on hatch side trim. It would seem to be a good alternative to fasteners on thin hatch material.
Posted:
Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:55 pmby halfdome, Danny
jdaan wrote:Has anyone used this on AL trim? More specifically, on hatch side trim. It would seem to be a good alternative to fasteners on thin hatch material.
If you can find someone in your area that sells screw posts for binding they work great for the hatch.
I've use them with the RV insert molding on 3 teardrops so far without any problems. Danny