Why Your Tape Doesn’t Stick – A Checklist

No matter the situation, “it won’t stick” is the single most common complaint we hear about any adhesive. And the tape gets all the blame. We’ve found that the problem is rarely the tape alone. Here’s why your tape doesn’t stick, and a checklist to help you troubleshoot your sticky issues.

Why Your Tape Doesn’t Stick – A Checklist

“Nine out of 10 times, when customers say, ‘Your tape is not working,’ the problem is not the tape. Usually, the wrong tape is being used – be it one that is not engineered to adhere to extreme temperatures or remove easily from stucco. Temperature, weather, surface conditions, chemistry, and application all play vital roles in sticky success — or failure as the case may be.”

Since there are so many factors that go into the effectiveness of tape, we created a checklist to help you troubleshoot your sticky issues.

Has The Same Tape Worked Before?

If you used the same type of tape before and it worked, but now it doesn’t, then consider what has changed. Are the conditions different – colder, wetter, hotter? Did you apply it differently?

This should be the first step in diagnosing why your tape isn’t sticking.

Is The Tape New?

If the tape is new and it isn’t sticking, it might be the wrong tape for the job.

 Masking Tapes

Was The Surface Clean?

Ideally, the surface must be clean, dry, and oil-free. When in doubt, wash the surface with rubbing alcohol and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Was It The Surface Texture?

Do you have a flat, smooth surface that makes good contact with the tape’s adhesive? Or do you have a rough surface that leads to minimal contact and requires a thick adhesive? Try testing the tape on a flat, clean surface (metal or glass always works well), and see if your tape adheres well there. If so, your problem may be a rough surface.

Could It Be Chemistry?

Some surfaces like polyethylene or PVC or concrete are especially hard to adhere to. A tacky tape will help, but if not, try a different role and see if the trouble persists. Or as described above, try the tape on a flat, clean glass or metal surface. If it sticks well, chances are the problem is the surface and not the tape.

Are You Trying To Stick To Cardboard?

If so, remember that cardboard is sometimes made from recycled material, which tends to have many small fibers on the surface that break away very easily. You may need a tape that is designed explicitly for recycled cardboard.

  Masking Tapes

Could The Tape Be Too Old?

Like most products, adhesive tapes will deteriorate over time and lose their adhesive properties. Does your problem disappear when a fresh roll of tape is used? If not, it’s time to toss out that old tape.

Could It Be The Temperature?

Most tapes won’t stick if the roll or the surface is too cold. Learn more about cold weather issues here.

Was It Installed Properly?

It may seem simple, but knowing how to apply tape properly plays a huge role in whether or not the adhesive sticks. As the name ‘pressure sensitive adhesive’ implies, there needs to be an application pressure across the entire width to get the contact necessary for a good bond. If you don’t have good pressure, you won’t have a good bond.

Could It Be You?

Are your hands clean, or could you be inadvertently causing contamination? For example, if you recently worked on a car engine or used hand cream, you could be adversely affecting the surface. Clean your hands a try again.

If you are looking for a trustworthy company to masking tapes in your project, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.