Key Questions to Ask When Ordering surface protection tape

If you want to purchase protective film tape then there are several factors that are to be looked at when finding the correct tape to serve your purpose. Let’s look at some important questions you need to find an answer to while buying film tapes.

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How do Surface Protection tapes Work?

The main purpose of protective film tape is to provide protection to important surfaces from scratches, abrasions, contamination, dirt, and UV exposure. These protective films are quite popular because of their durability and strength.

The film tape is produced by using thin layers of film that are bonded to each other and create a barrier and guard.  Their uses range from glass in a building to anything that requires protection while under construction.

For instance, you will find film tape being used as shrink wrap plastic and affixed to a new refrigerator you have purchased.

Similarly, protective film tape is used as a roll of material that is utilized for covering and protecting any fabricated part’s surface, such as in the automotive industry. You will find similar use of this type of film tape in plastic and metal sheet manufacturing.

They are popular due to the fact that they tend to be scratch proof and assist in reducing UV rays and sunlight from penetrating the surface of the material that is being protected.

However, before selecting any particular type of film tape you will have to ensure that it will be able to provide the correct amount of protection. Let us look at questions you need to ask before choosing any type of protective film tape.

Important Questions You Need to Ask When Looking for Surface Protection Films

Question #1

Where does protective film tape need to be applied; over smooth or rough surfaces?

Here, you will have to keep note of the fact that any rough surfaces have a larger area and as such, needs a thicker adhesive.

Question #2

Does the surface have to be dry and clean?

If the surface is dirty or moist, then the results will be unacceptable and less than ideal. For example, unnecessary debris and embedded materials will usually have a negative effect over the performance of the protective film.

Question #3

Is the surface going to have any type of coating or will it be painted?

This is another aspect you need to keep note of, due to the fact that chemical reactions can take place between the coating and the adhesive.

Question #4

Protection is needed for which type of surface?

Different types of adhesive are required for the surface it will be used for and as such, you will have to select a film tape that is suitable for the surface dependent on if it is ceramic, plastic, glass, metal, stone, or wood.

Question #5

Will there be elevated temperatures to which the film is exposed?

Temperature will be an important factor you will have to consider when choosing a surface protection film. For example, if the tape is using an adhesive that is rubber based then it will not be able to manage temperatures beyond 150OF. Similarly, acrylic adhesives are able to withstand temperatures up to a maximum of 350OF and silicone based adhesives can work up to a maximum temperature of 500OF.

Question #6

Is the film tape to be utilized for outdoor use and if so, what is its duration?

You need to be aware of the fact that UV rays present in sunlight usually destroy the strength of the adhesive after a period of time. You will find film tapes will turn yellow and in addition, it will also be brittle and stiff. In this type of situation, it will be completely ineffective.

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Thus, the exposure time to the elements will dictate the kind of UV protection the tape will require.

Question #7

What would be the project scope?

You need to decide whether the main purpose of using film tape is to provide protection to your windows using a PVC film or are you looking to create a vapor and moisture barrier for a slab. The selection of any particular type of tape will largely depend upon the purpose for which it is to be used.

Question #8

Is the protective film tape to be utilized in any security or safety application?

If the tape is to be used for protecting workers from shattering glass or for deterring intruders then the tape is to be selected appropriately.

Question #9

For what duration will the tape should adhere to any particular surface?

In case it is going to be long term work then it will be necessary to include additional components to make sure that there is proper bonding between the tape and the surface for the required duration.

Question #10

Is transportation and storage going to have an effect on the film?

It is often difficult for film tapes to bear extreme climates and as such, you need to make sure that the tapes are transported to the job site properly.

In addition, you will have to ensure that the tapes are subsequently stored in the correct manner so that their effectiveness is not compromised. You also need to take the required steps to store the protective film tape in a dry and cool place.

How to select suitable protective film tape and avoid issues?

When selecting a film tape you need to be aware of the common problems they face. This way you will be able to select a tape that will provide the desired results.

The name surface protection film kind of says it all — it’s designed to protect critical surfaces from scratching, marring, abrasions, UV exposure, or dirt and contamination.  Popular and successful due to its strength and durability, protective film is actually an adhesive tape.  It’s produced from thin film layers bonded together to create a barrier,  guarding  everything from a building’s glass to anything else requiring under-construction protection.  For example, It’s the shrink-wrap plastic that comes affixed to your new refrigerator, and it’s the roll of material used to cover and protect the surface of fabricated parts, especially in the automotive industry. And it’s used extensively by manufacturers of metal and plastic sheets. They are also scratch proof and help reduce the penetration of sunlight and UV rays.

10 Questions To Ask Before Choosing the Right Surface Protection Film

To ensure you get the right protective film for you applications make sure and ask these questions.

1. Will the film be applied to a rough or a smooth surface? Rougher surfaces have more surface area and require a thicker adhesive.
2. Is the surface area clean and dry? Dirty application conditions will likely yield unacceptable results. Embedded materials and unnecessary debris adversely affect a protective film’s performance.
3. Will the surface be painted or have a coating? Chemical reactions can exist between adhesives and coatings, especially the longer they are in contact with each other.
4. What type of surface needs to be protected? Be it wood, stone, metal, glass, plastic, or ceramic; these surfaces require completely different adhesives to perform successfully.
5. Will the film be exposed to elevated temperatures? Most rubber-based adhesives cannot handle temperatures above 150°F. Acrylic adhesives are effective at temperatures up to 350°F, and silicone adhesives up to 500°F.
6. Will the film be used outdoors? If so, for how long? The sun’s UV rays destroy adhesives over time. Protective film will not only yellow, but will become stiff and brittle, and therefore rendered ineffective. The length of time the film will be exposed to the elements will determine how much UV protection it needs.
7. What is the scope of the project? Do you need to protect windows with a PVC film or do you need to provide a moisture and vapor barrier on a slab where a LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) film is the answer?
8. Will the film be used in a safety or security application? On any  project, it’s safety first. Is the purpose of the film to protect workers from shattering glass or to deter intruders?
9. How long will the film need to adhere to the surface? If this is a long-term job, some additional component(s) may need to be added to ensure the bond of the surface to the film for the length of time you need it to hold fast.
10. Will storage and transportation affect the film? Your crew may withstand extreme climates better than your materials! Consider their transport to the job site as well as the material’s subsequent storage so it doesn’t compromise effectiveness. Keep films and tapes in a cool, dry place.

Once affixed to a clean, dry surface, protective film effectively prevent “damage” to that surface. Although incredibly versatile, use the wrong protective film for the job and you’ll jeopardize both your timeline and the always dreaded budget overages.

5 Common Problems with Surface Protection Film

Here are the most common challenges we have found during close to 45 years of working with tape and surface protection film.

Poor Surface Adhesion. If the film peels off too easily there are multiple things that could have caused it:

• The surface was not clean enough or was contaminated by dust or moisture.
• If the incorrect film for the project was used, it could easily result in an insufficient amount of adhesive or too low a tack for the climate and conditions.
• The film was not stretched uniformly during installation creating a distortion and therefore an ineffectual seal.

 Debonding.  If the film actually separates from the adhesive it leaves a residue on the surface.  Adhesive removal is remedied with a clean cloth dipped in an appropriate amount of organic solvent such as ethanol or acetate. Care should be taken during this step so as not to create an additional cosmetic problem to the protected surface upon removal.

Edge Lift.  This occurs when ends of the protective film begin to lift off the surface. Common in metal protection where composite protective film is used, it happens especially with aluminum as compared to steel. Again, the right film for the job makes the difference.

The Film Cannot Be Removed.  The most common reason for this problem is the quality of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Beware of manufacturers who have not mastered the production of this very specialized adhesive technology. Some have only tweaked ordinary adhesives by making some improvements to existing formulations — with disastrous consequences.

Another reason why you’d have difficulty removing the film could be an overexposure to sunlight. This is why the UV rating of the film and the determination of how long you need it to adhere is an essential pre-installation determination.

Ghosting. One of the primary objectives of any construction project is to make it a seamless transition, where literally no evidence is left behind. When visual blemishes are apparent on what were supposed to be protected surfaces, the main cause of this “ghosting” is due to residue build up left behind from the markers, cleaners, solvents previously used to clean surfaces. These can be removed with care and diluted solvents.

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