Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP

Taping Success: Stick with the Basics

By Sarah Quilliam
Quilliam adhesive tape
January 22, 2019

Before the advances of science and technology, earthenware pots were patched together using the first glue type substances, made from either animal material or tree sap. Much later in the nineteenth century, basic medical advances meant that rubber-based glues were starting to be applied to fabric substrates to keep dressings in place. With World War II came further significant advances with the troops’ requirement for a durable, waterproof product to use as a sealing tape for ammunition cases, leading to the creation of the first duct tapes as we know them!

In our 21st century society, a world without adhesive tape is impossible to imagine as its usage has spread across every possible market, from the technical automotive, aerospace, military and smartcard applications, to permeating every part of industrial manufacturing, including restoration and remediation. Tapes are used today for increasingly demanding applications, capable of withstanding huge amounts of pressure and stress, thin enough to be used in passport and credit cards without being noticed, and with different technical adhesive technologies used to withstand water, heat, UV, fire and solvents.

restoration

*Click to enlarge images

And yet, despite the infinite options of pressure-sensitive tapes that are offered, and their widespread usage across industries, user understanding of basic adhesive technology remains limited. This means that taking the time to match the best product for your application is often overlooked in favor of the quick tried and tested options users are comfortable with, despite their choice not always being the best tape solution for the application.

A starting point for making a more educated choice is a better understanding of the terminology used in the pressure-sensitive tape industry, which will further allow users to match the right performance to their application need.

restoration

TACK: Many users will revert to a “touch and feel” approach to decide for themselves if the tape is “sticky” enough for them. This performance feature is known as “tack” and is actually the initial “grab” of the pressure sensitive tape, a measure of how quickly a bond can be formed. In some applications, surface protection films protect white goods in transit with the adhesive needing to be low in tack, so you can remove it easily while also allowing it to be repositioned. In other cases, a high tack and stickiness may be desirable for your application for a more long-term application. Potentially, a downside of high tack could be that the material is not so easy to remove and can leave messy adhesive residues. If a product is claimed to have “clean peel” it is an indicator that the product can be used short term and then removed without issues or cleaning, and depending on the application, this can save users much time and effort.

However, this is not the only indicator of the adhesive strength, as most adhesive tapes will increase in bonding power over time, to reach an ultimate bond with the surface they are being applied to.  If your ultimate goal is the confidence of long-term bonding to your material, for the lifetime of your application, you will need to consider the ADHESION level which is most often presented as adhesion to steel or peel adhesion data, as the industry benchmark testing criteria. Adhesion is the holding power of the adhesive and its resistance to being forced apart after being applied to a surface.

restoration

If, however, your application means that the tape is likely to come under pressure from a different force, then you may want to consider the SHEAR of the adhesive tape. This can be thought of as resistance to being pulled apart in different directions. Products are usually tested in a laboratory, mounted vertically to a material and have a weight attached. The time it takes for the tape to slide off the substrate shows the durability of the bond.

There are many different types of adhesives also, each with their own specific properties and uses which determine if the tape can be used permanently, semi-permanently, or if it is removable. One of the most popular is rubber-based adhesives which will allow higher tack, high bond strength, particularly to plastic surfaces and can be a lower cost economic option for volume use. However, if you are using the tape consistently in an outdoor environment, you may require low or high temperature resistance or UV resistance. If so, you will need to check that the tape is suitable for this application as the adhesive formulation will need to possess these specific characteristics, to allow high quality performance in this area.

restoration

When it comes to temperature, remember too that rubber-based adhesives can be susceptible to temperature variations and will give you much better performance if you keep them at room temperature before applying and whilst using, as a cold tape means a cold adhesive which may not function per your expectations. That means your usual habit of storing your tapes overnight in a cold van is not advisable!

restoration

The other golden rules of applying your tape, include ensuring that the surfaces you are applying the tape to are clean and dry. Even if your tape is waterproof or moisture proof, applying directly onto a wet surface will not give the tape the opportunity to bond first and you need to ensure the bond is not compromised by dirt or solvents too.

So next time you reach out for your usual tape, just stop for a moment and consider if it really is the best tape for the job or whether with a little research, you could find the tape you have always been waiting for!  

KEYWORDS: containment innovations in restoration mold remediation

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Sarah Quilliam has been in the pressure sensitive adhesive tapes business for over 20 years, working for Scapa Group in both UK, European and Global roles. Initially working in the marketing and distribution side of the organisation, Sarah moved to become a Global Scapa Product Manager in 2006, where she has been instrumental in development, strategy and range management for cloth, PE and aluminium foil tape ranges, over the last 12 years, including product launches in the North American market.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

water on basement floor

How Much Water Causes Water Damage?

hurricane

To CAT or not to CAT? Who Should Stay Home

flooded living room

Baseboard Water Damage - Causes, Repair and Prevention

Submit Your New Product/Technology to R&R!

Would you like to promote a new restoration, remediation or cleaning product/technology with Restoration & Remediation? Fill out the question below to start your submission:

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Doffing PPE

When you are doffing your PPE, do you sanitize between every step?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Prepare for CATASTROPHE with R&R!

Related Articles

  • Stick to the Program? Working with Third Party Administrators

    Stick to the Program? Working with TPAs

    See More
  • shurtape 1

    Stick to What Works: Tapes of the Trade

    See More
  • Ask the Expert: Catastrophe Panel - Back to the Basics Part 1

    Catastrophe Panel – Back to the Basics Part 1

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • CONTENTS_SUCCESS_BOOK-(2)-1.gif

    The Contents Restoration Success eBook! (PDF download)

  • After-The-Smoke-Clears.gif

    After The Smoke Clears...

See More Products
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing