When applying adhesive tape, achieving a perfectly flat, secure, and long-lasting bond can sometimes be tricky—especially if the surface isn’t properly prepared or the tape isn’t applied with the right tools. At Heskins, we offer a range of application tools and ancillaries designed to make your tape application process as smooth and effective as possible. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps and tools to ensure your tape lies flat and sticks securely, no matter the surface.
Start with a Clean Surface
The first and most crucial step in achieving a reliable bond is ensuring the surface is clean and free from contaminants. Dust, grease, or moisture can interfere with the adhesive, reducing its ability to stick correctly.
To tackle this, we recommend using IPA Surface Cleaner. This powerful cleaner removes dirt, grease, and other contaminants, leaving the surface perfectly prepared for applying tape. Starting with a clean base gives the adhesive the best possible chance to bond securely.
Priming Porous Surfaces
If you’re applying tape to a porous or uneven surface, the adhesive can sometimes seep into the material, reducing its effectiveness. In these situations, our Surface Primer is an essential tool.
Surface Primer seals porous surfaces, creating a smooth and adhesive-friendly base. This ensures the tape sticks properly and remains secure, even in challenging conditions. Applying a primer is a step you shouldn’t skip for materials like concrete, wood, or stone.
Preventing Edge Lift
One of the most common issues with adhesive tape is edge lift, where the edges begin to peel away from the surface. This not only reduces the tape’s effectiveness but can also leave it vulnerable to dirt and moisture.
Our Edge Fix is designed specifically to combat this issue. Applying Edge Fix along the edges of the tape creates a protective barrier that helps prevent lifting, ensuring your tape stays firmly in place for longer.
Eliminating Air Bubbles
Air bubbles trapped beneath the tape can weaken its bond and make it look uneven. To eliminate these bubbles and ensure a strong connection, we recommend using a Seam Roller.
The Seam Roller applies even pressure across the surface of the tape, helping it adhere smoothly and securely. This is particularly useful for wide or long strips of tape, where trapped air is more likely to occur.
How Do You Get Air Bubbles Out of Tape?
To remove air bubbles when applying anti-slip tape, gently lift the affected section and reapply it while smoothing it down. Using a Seam Roller during application is the best way to prevent bubbles from forming in the first place. If you are applying a marking tape, we recommend using a Squeegee.
Achieving Long-Lasting Results
With the right preparation and tools, you can improve the performance and longevity of your adhesive tape, ensuring it remains flat and secure even in demanding environments.
Applying adhesive tape correctly doesn’t have to be complicated. Using the proper preparation methods and application tools you can always achieve a smooth, secure, and long-lasting bond.
If you’d like to learn more about our range of tools and how they can help with your next project, please get in touch with us. Our team is always here to provide expert advice and support.
We invite you to look at our product page for our application tools/ accessories. Here you can learn more in depth about our products and see which ones are suitable to you.
