# Velcro sticks, adhesive not so much. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 18, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709 "2017-04-18T16:15:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qwakkeddup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/90ced4/32.png) [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/1 "2017-04-18T16:15:22Z")
I have a roll of Velcro brand adhesive hook and loop tape. For very light objects the adhesive may work for a longish while, but only if you don’t pull it down and put it back up. Which in my mind is exactly what it is suppose to be for. Would it be a good idea to add another adhesive on top of the existing stuff? I have already stapled it to the back of some things, but I don’t want to screw it to the wall, and power bricks really don’t like that sort of thing. The existing glue tends to melt when it gets hot, causing items to fall. The glue also has a seemingly short lifespan in general. I had a clock Velcro’ed to the wall, it lasted 3 months, then it was time for a new clock. For those who are gonna yell at me that a clock is too heavy for Velcro anyway, even little led tap lights fall down in short order when the glue gives out. Is there something I can do, or just throw the crap out and go back to screwing everything down? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/2 "2017-04-18T16:55:36Z")
This is a perpetual problem with self-adhesive velcro. I typically scrape as much of the crappy glue off of the back as I can, and then use my own hot glue or silicone. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/3 "2017-04-18T18:22:24Z")
Have you tried using those 3M Command adhesive strips to hang the clock instead of using Velcro? There is a framed photo on the wall behind me that’s been there for well over a year on a pair of them. 3M sells different varieties depending on the weight of the thing you want to hang. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/4 "2017-04-18T18:45:13Z")
Try using a longer piece of velcro. The velcro on the wall should generally be longer than the one on the object, to spread the load across a larger area of the adhesive. ---
**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/5 "2017-04-18T19:44:44Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Have you tried using those 3M Command adhesive strips to hang the clock instead of using Velcro? . 3M also makes a version of hook and loop, and what they call Dual Lock tape. The adhesive on them is much stronger than your average double sided tape. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/6 "2017-04-18T19:48:36Z")
The 3M Command strips I use have been holding up 3- 10 lb objects like paintings and whiteboards for years now on painted sheetrock and wooden doors. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/7 "2017-04-18T20:37:06Z")
I second (fourth?) 3M Command strips. The ones listed as “small poster hanging” are sticky on both sides, but aren’t meant for removal. The medium and large ones are velcro-esque. The main difference is that velcro has hook and loop, while 3M has identical spikes on each side, so any piece will match any other piece. Does the clock not have a hanging bracket though? Are you trying to avoid marring the wall? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/8 "2017-04-18T21:27:02Z")
Yep, the 3M stuff is amazing. I’m not sure I would want to use it on walls because it may rip the drywall paper when you remove it, but I use those 3M hooky things on doors and kitchen cupboards. I even have two of the smaller ones in the shower to hang up a stainless steel basket for shampoo bottles and such. They seem to be sufficiently moisture resistant that they’ve been up there for years. My prior effort involved suction cups that would wait a few days and then, right in the middle of the night, would let go with a huge crash! ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/9 "2017-04-18T21:31:14Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Yep, the 3M stuff is amazing. I’m not sure I would want to use it on walls because it may rip the drywall paper when you remove it… It does. Don’t tell my wife… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/10 "2017-04-18T21:43:33Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Yep, the 3M stuff is amazing. I’m not sure I would want to use it on walls because it may rip the drywall paper when you remove it, but I use those 3M hooky things on doors and kitchen cupboards. The whole point of the Command products is that they can be removed without damage to most wall surfaces. You do have to be careful and remove them according to the instructions, which is to pull them straight down, parallel to the wall. ---
**Author:** ![Qwakkeddup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/90ced4/32.png) [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/11 "2017-04-18T22:11:49Z")
The stuff I have was a one stop for several applications. one of which was holding a large PSU for a laptop keeping it attached to the mobile table it was on. When someone eventually pulled the table too far the PSU and main power cable took the hit instead of the socket on the laptop. Until it fell off. Small led tap lights under the overhead cabinets just fall off. 3m hooks wouldn’t work for those. The clock was just one of those things I didn’t want to put a hole in the wall, I had the Velcro and just used it. I did many projects and they have all failed. Mind you, I have used the 3M hooks to replace Velcro where I could, but I still have several feet of the stuff leftover. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/12 "2017-04-18T22:32:40Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Try using a longer piece of velcro. The velcro on the wall should generally be longer than the one on the object, to spread the load across a larger area of the adhesive. I do this and now I have several extra feet of the fuzzy side of the Velcro strip just taking up space in my glue/ tape drawer. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/13 "2017-04-18T22:45:33Z")
One of the advantages of the 3M Dual Lock product mentioned above; the two sides are exactly the same. And yes, we find it’s very sticky. ---
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/14 "2017-04-20T18:23:37Z")
> [@Qwakkeddup](#): > > \ > Small led tap lights under the overhead cabinets just fall off. 3m hooks wouldn’t work for those. > The clock was just one of those things I didn’t want to put a hole in the wall, I had the Velcro and just used it. I did many projects and they have all failed. > Mind you, I have used the 3M hooks to replace Velcro where I could, but I still have several feet of the stuff leftover. You’d be surprised by how much Velcro is used in aircraft interiors. Consequently, I have a wee bit of experience with the stuff. Proper surface preparation is essential. A contaminated surface (dusty, dirty, oily, whatever) will prevent nearly all adhesives from bonding properly to the surfaces, to include the one used on self-adhesive Velcro. At my current job, we don’t even bother with the self-adhesive Velcro anymore; we get the plain stuff, and use a [specialty adhesive](https://www.amazon.com/3M-Neoprene-Performance-Adhesive-Gray-Green/dp/B0012IV9NQ/ref=pd_bxgy_328_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0012IV9NQ&pd_rd_r=65DAGWGZ9XDVPB9705NQ&pd_rd_w=yT65R&pd_rd_wg=jJnCd&psc=1&refRID=65DAGWGZ9XDVPB9705NQ) to stick it in place. You can use the 3M Command strips without their associated hooks. Same principle applies - leave the removal tab accessible, so you can grab it to pull parallel to the surfaces when it comes time to remove the item. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/15 "2017-04-20T22:52:48Z")
I too agree, those 3M strips are amazing, saves so many little holes in the drywall, took one off thats been on for a while (hook) to hang an Escape From New York poster and it came off clean with no damage. For extra “oomph” I use Loctite Power Grab Outdoor Mounting tape. It will take the paint off of drywall, but for any other use, its stays put. I used it on my car to mount Wind Visors like a year ago, they have yet to come off, on really tight and won’t damage car paint either (tested on an old stock fender). Best double sided tape I’ve ever used, but pushing $6-7 a roll :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/16 "2017-04-21T15:27:13Z")
I’ve believe in the directions for the Dual Lock stuff they say to let the adhesive set for a while (hour?) before joining the two halves. Maybe that applies to the regular Velcro, too. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/17 "2017-04-21T15:40:06Z")
Try the “industrial” Velcro strips, with the sticky grey backing. That stuff sticks like crazy. > **[VELCRO Brand 15 ft. x 2 in. Industrial Strength Tape 90197 - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-Brand-15-ft-x-2-in-Industrial-Strength-Tape-90197/202261919)** > > Industrial Strength 15 ft. x 2 in. VELCRO Tape provides dependable holding power for heavy-duty indoor/outdoor use. This adhesive-backed hook-and-loop tape measures 15 ft. long x 2 in. wide.Industrial ---
**Author:** ![Terry\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Terry\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terry_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velcro-sticks-adhesive-not-so-much/784709/18 "2017-04-23T11:39:47Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > One of the advantages of the 3M Dual Lock product mentioned above; the two sides are exactly the same. And yes, we find it’s very sticky. Not all of the Dual Lock stuff comes with the adhesive attached. I have rolls and rolls of it here, along with the matching adhesive. Velcro [used to?] sell a product called “Velcro Extreme” - a box was 5 sets of 1" x 4" tape. SKU was 90800 and UPC was 0-75967-90800-3. They seem to have re-branded this as [Extreme Outdoor](https://www.velcro.com/products/industrial-strength/900401__industrial-strength-extreme).