Taping to common low surface energy applications can be a unique challenge. You may benefit from the use of an adhesion promoter and adhesive primer. Adhesion promoters and primers are used to promote better and faster adhesion of adhesive tape to various surface types.
The table below offers suggested primers and alternative methods for surfaces that commonly require primers, adhesion promoters or other surface treatments for successful use with 3M VHB Tapes. This list is not intended to be fully comprehensive but may be useful for many applications. Since formulations and surface energies can vary for these types of materials, each application should be verified through testing.
| Surface | Concern | Suggested Primer | Alternatives |
|---|
| Steel or Aluminum | Surface must be clean | None suggested | Abrasion may clean surface, or use 3M Adhesion Promoter 111 or 3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 |
| Copper, Brass, Bronze | Oxidation after bonding | Lacquer or varnish | Architectural grade coatings |
| Concrete, Brick | Non-unified or rough surface, moisture | 3M Rubber and Vinyl Spray 80 | Concrete sealer, paint |
| Glass, Stone, Ceramic Tile | High humidity, moisture | 3M Silane Glass Treatment AP 115 or similar silane coupling agent in IPA/water mixture | 3M Tape Primer 94 |
| Wood (soft, hard particle board, etc.) | Weak fiber layer on surface (e.g., low surface strength) | 3M Rubber and Vinyl Spray 80, 3M Fastbond 30 Contact Adhesive | Urethane paint, varnish |
Plastics: Polyolefin
Non-olefin | Low adhesion
Additives, low adhesion | 3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 (additional surface preparation may be required)
3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 | Flame treatment, Corona treatment
Abrade or 3M VHB Tape Family 5952 |
| Polyurethane (Molded or Rubber) | Mold release, low adhesion | 3M Tape Primer 94, 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 (additional surface preparation may be required), or 3M Adhesion Promoter 111 | Abrade followed by priming |
Rubber: Neoprene, Santoprene
EPDM | Migrating oils
Low adhesion | 3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 (additional surface preparation may be required)
3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 | 3M Heat-Activated Tapes
3M Heat-Activated Tapes |
| Paints | Low adhesion | 3M Adhesion Promoter 111 | Abrade or 3M VHB Tape Family 5952 or 3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 |
| Coil Coated Aluminum | Low adhesion | 3M Adhesion Promoter 111 | Abrade or 3M VHB Tape Family 5952 or 3M Tape Primer 94 or 3M Adhesion Promoter 4298 |
| Flexible PVC (Vinyl) | Plasticizer migration | 3M Scotch-Grip Plastic Adhesive 2262, 3M Rubber and Vinyl Spray 80 | 3M VHB Tapes 4945 and 4941 (test for migration) |
If you're looking for an adhesive product or tape to do a specific job, try our Advanced Tape Finder. This tool allows you to narrow down your search based on adhesive type, removability, peel adhesion, thickness, and other specifications. You can also visit our Shop by Department page to find the best tapes for your specific application or industry.