Adhesive required to stick metal letters to rendered wall

[John Harding]

Warren in an ideal world if you can drill into the wall I would get the letters fabricated with a threaded rod protruding from the rear and drill the wall then just a blob of silicon or alraldite would suffice to hold it in place – I have done this myself with no issues

I have also done this with VHB no problems so not sure what the suppliers concern is?

[Paul Hughes]

hi warren

i have done this with VHB tape without any problems, list/rented building so customer did not want holes drilling. i was unsure of the tape and explained to customer who was willing to give it ago, two years latter still good.

that was 300mm aluminum composite letters

Paul

[Mike Grant]

I sometimes use a product from Screwfix Direct called "Sticks like sh*t" and that is how its spelt. Good stuff!

[Robert Lambie]

Allot depends on the size, weight and rigidity of the letter Warren.

Aluminum is light, but in comparison to what?

Aluminium is flexible, but to an extent.

Tapes bond well, but when it comes to tapes. allot of spec reading is required. yes, we find a million uses not specified. but remember we purchased high end types of tape manufactured for specific applications, so always read the small print. dont just assume Very High Bonding applies to all substrates.

walls are flat, but are they perfectly flat?
if you use a "thin" high bond tape, but the wall has a very slight uneven surface "naked to the eye" and you place a metal letter that will not flex to this shape, then the chances are, it has minimal adhesion contact. even when using the best bonding tape.
in this case you "may" need the exact same tape but thicker to aid in this slight uneven surface.
[sorry if i am not using the most technical jargon here, just trying to explain best i can in "my terms" fuled with a couple of glasses of Rose wine!] 😉

anyway, i speak with experience… "the hard way".

[Martin Pearson]

Warren whats the wall be painted with and what sort of condition is it in. As you will be sticking the letters to the paint I would make sure it is in good condition no matter what adhesive you use.

[Simon Worrall]

I dont know about you guys but I would never stick metal letters to a wall without fasteners of some sort, inside, outside or anywhere, no matter what the manufacturer of the glue or tape promised me. If I could not for some reason drill holes for them I would walk away from the job.
They will, eventually, fall.

[Warren Beard]

Thanks to all for replying.

They don’t want to drill holes and have rejected all other methods or design or fixings, they insist it to be flush against the wall and no holes to be drilled so VHB or adhesive are the only options. We will of course advise them of the issues and leave it to them to decide. They also want to fit themselves so we are sort of off the hook with fitting but they do want us to recommend an adhesive or VHB tape so we are still at risk of backlash if it fails.

The letters will be small with a cap height if only 50mm and made from 2mm stainless steel.

I think what’s best is for me to give them the options with the risks etc and leave it to them.

Cheers

Warren

[Martin Pearson]

Warren, as you know with VHB the surface preparation has to be spot on, don’t see how there can be any backlash if they have no experience of using such a product as any failure could still be down to them..
Biggest problem I can see if the letters are quite small is getting them all level if this is going on a rendered building.

[Gwaredd Steele]

Surely 3M do a foam VHB tape that will be OK? I’d wager that the rendering will pull from the wall far sooner than the tape.

For super strong glue though, IME nothing can beat Sikaflex. It’s a tough, rubbery adhesive used mainly in the Automotive industry for gluing car body panels on, so you know it’s tough & durable.

Not sure on the cure time though, as that will be an issue for any adhesive you may use. You don’t want the letters sliding down the wall 10 minutes after you aligned them perfectly! :lol1:

Temp will also be a factor this time of year too. 😕

Must be something of use here: http://www.uksealants.co.uk/products.asp?i=47

[Lee Attewell]

Double banged fixings mate…VHB and Sikaflex. Don’t mess about with it and you’ll sleep well at night

[David Hammond]

Sikaflex – I knew I recognised the name – it’s used to hold acoustic tiles to submarines. That’s a blast from the past :lol1:

If I ever supply a sign for the customer to fit, I don’t offer any warranty or guarantee for the fitting. If the vinyl/print fails then I will happily replace that, unless they’ve damaged it fitting.