November 2021

Supersedes version dated December 2017

3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes forExterior Trim Attachment
Application Guidelines
Part Design•Materials•Part Processing•Tape Land Area
•Clearances

Lamination of Tape to Part
•Cleaning•Painting•Surface Preparation•Tape Application•Tabbing•Quality Checks•Packaging•Finished Part Dimensional Tolerance

Placement of Part on Vehicle•Storage Conditions and Temperature•Cleaning•Liner Removal•Part Positioning•Part Location Fixtures

Pressurization•Time, Roller Angle and Location•Wet-Out Measurement•Pressure Measurement
Note: The purpose of this guide is to provide basic information to product users for use in evaluating,processing, and troubleshooting their use of certain 3M products. The information provided is generalor summary in nature and is offered to assist the user. The information is not intended to replace theuser’s careful consideration of the unique circumstances and conditions involved in its use andprocessing of 3M products. The user is responsible for determining whether this information is suitable
and appropriate for the user’s particular use and intended application.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

2Part Design
Materials
General Description
A wide variety of plastics are used in the manufacture of parts that are attached to automobiles. Examples of plastic
parts include claddings, body side moldings, rocker panels, running boards, wheel flares, hood shields, nameplates andwindow clips. Plastics allow automotive engineers greater freedom in the styling and manufacturing of components andgives them the opportunity to combine several complex parts into one integrated piece. Plastic parts also contribute toa lighter vehicle, helping to improve gas mileage.
This document will highlight the following:•
General properties of the plastics and typical applications•
Initial tape recommendation for the substrate/application
Substrate
Thermoplastic
Polyolefin (TPO)(i.e., PP/EPDM)

Thermoplastic
Urethane (TPU)
Polypropylene(PP)
Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC)

General Properties and Typical Applications• Typically used in the making of claddings,
body side moldings, rocker panels,
running boards and wheel flares• Lightweight, injection moldable andpaintable• Generally offers a broader range ofproperties and is easier to mold, but ismore expensive and heavier than TPO• Commonly used in the manufacture ofsmall body side moldings• Most commonly used for narrow moldings
or roof slats•

3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 2•

3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 2

•
•
•
•

•

Initial Tape Recommendations
3M™ Acrylic Foam Primerless Applicationof Exterior Trim Parts (3M Primerless Tapes)
1

AcrylonitrileButadieneStyrene (ABS)
Polycarbonate(PC)
Acrylic•

Commonly used in the manufacture ofnameplates or chrome-plated applications••

3M Primerless Tapes1
3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 2
3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 2
Oils and/or plasticizers in PVC parts may
affect tape adhesion, so testing is
recommended
3M Primerless Tapes
3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 3

•

Nylon

•

•
•
•
•
•

3M Primerless Tapes
3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 3
3M Primerless Tapes
3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 3
3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 2

Reaction
Injection Molded
(RIM)

•

Used in the manufacture of hood shields,
turn signals and occasionally wheel flares
Used in the manufacture of hood shields,
head lamps and tail lamps
Commonly used in the manufacture ofwindow clips
The most commonly used RIM
processable material is polyurethane•

3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes 3•

May bond to substrate without adhesion promoter
Requires adhesion promoter; contact a 3M application engineer for testing to determine the proper adhesion promoter
3
May require adhesion promoter
1
2

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

3Part DesignPart Processing
General Overview
The production processes of automotive components can have an effect on tape performance. Below are key partprocesses and their relation to tape application and performance.

Injection Molding
One consideration in the taping of injection-molded parts is to apply adhesion promoter soon after the parts are
removed from the mold. This takes advantage of the residual heat to more quickly flash off the adhesion promoter
solvent and helps ensure that the part is free of any plant contaminants.
Mold release agents can adversely affect the adhesion of tape to a part. If a mold release agent is used, a more stringent
cleaning method is required prior to adhesion promoter application. Contact a 3M application engineer forrecommendations.

Extrusion
Extruded parts typically undergo some level of shrinkage after the process. If the tape is applied before this shrinking
has completed, the liner can ripple and buckle as the tape does not shrink along with the part. If the tape is applied
before shrinkage has stopped, it should be laminated with a percentage of stretch equal to the percentage of partshrinkage expected after tape lamination. Stretch should not exceed 4%.
Extrusion allows for the taping of parts in one continuous process if desired. In addition to handling the shrinkage
mentioned above, the process needs to allow time for the adhesion promoter solvent to flash off prior to tapelamination.
Heat-bonding may be used in place of an adhesion promoter on some substrates.

Painting
When plastic parts are exposed to paint bake oven conditions, they can often undergo dimensional changes whenmeasured in free-state. These changes can cause problems with tape-attached parts if the resulting fit to the vehicle ispoor. A part may measure “in spec” when measured with a check fixture, but could be imparting excessive backload tothe tape when applied to the vehicle.
Overspray of paint to the backside of automotive trim may cause tape adhesion issues and needs to be addressed
before tape is applied. The problem with overspray is that adhesion characteristics for both tape and adhesion
promoters are different for painted surfaces vs. raw plastic. There are several options to address this:
1.

2.
3.

Paint the backside: A completely painted backside provides a uniform surface on which to laminate tape.
Some 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes, 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tapes and 3M™ Acrylic Foam for Primerless
Application of Exterior Trim Parts do not require an adhesion promoter when applied to many flexible
clearcoat paints. This can be an added benefit of this option.
Limit or eliminate paint overspray: This can often be accomplished by using a paint rack design thatminimizes overspray. Other options include masking the tape land area prior to painting or removing theoverspray after the paint cycle.
Taping to the overspray: This typically is not recommended due to the nature of paint overspray – it isunintended paint contact so overspray often does not have adequate anchorage to the part substrate. If
good anchorage is assured, tape can be applied to these surfaces, but may require different adhesion
promoters for the different surfaces. Contact a 3M application engineer for recommendations.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

4Part Design
Tape Land Area
General Description
Tape land refers to the areas on a trim component where 3M™ Acrylic Foam, Acrylic Plus Tapes and Primerless Tapes
will be applied. The tape land surface, width, shape, and fit to the vehicle body all affect the performance of the tapes
as well as the robustness of the application.

Recommendations
Best Practice
The tape land should be a flat, smooth surface, parallel to its mating surface, and wide enough to accommodate the full
width of the tape. If the part design includes a hider lip, the tape land should be designed to allow the tape to standproud of the hider lip by at least 0.5mm.

Tape Land Width
Tape should align with the center of the tape land area. The tape land area is ideally wider than the tape by >2mm (0.08in). Tape placement tolerances should be taken into account to ensure that the entire width of the tape will be fully
supported by the land area and the edge of the tape will not “ride up” onto any hider lips. A visual check should be
conducted to verify that there are no areas where the tape overhangs the land area.
Surface Irregularities
Cross-sectional cupping and crowning of the land area can affect tape wet-out and pressurization to both the part andthe sheet metal. Although 3M Acrylic Foam Tapes will compensate for minor surface irregularities, most irregularities
tend to disrupt the match of the mating surfaces and may cause a bridging of the bonding surfaces. This results in
reduced surface bonding area and substandard applications. Gate areas should be trimmed flush with the part surface,and sinks/cupping should be eliminated from the tape land area.
Part Weight-to-Tape Ratio
The tape land area must also be able to accommodate the width needed to support the required tape-to-weight ratio. A
starting guideline for part weight-to-tape ratio is 2.3 grams/cm2. Lower and higher ratios may be considered dependingon paint systems and/or the complexity of the part designs. Please contact your 3M application engineer during thedesign phase to determine desired tape land width.
Turning Curves and Corners
Some tape lands include a curved portion or require the tape to turn a 90°corner. While gradual sweeps are possible,
turning the tape around a corner, in the width direction, where the inside edge of the tape is changing radius at adifferent rate than the outside edge, can create issues with the tape’s ability to conform to the part and cause liner popoff. Sharp turns will require a die-cut part. Contact your 3M application engineer for additional information.
Locator Pins
Many tape-attached parts have locator pins to assist with the correct placement of the part onto the vehicle. Whendesigning parts with locator pins, the proximity of the locator pins to the tape land should still allow for full wet-out of
the tape to the vehicle surface. If the locator pins are positioned too close to the tape land, they may interfere with thewet-out of the tape to the mating surface, resulting in lower adhesion and/or part lift.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

5

Tape Width Selection Guide

TPO/TPU C
Claddings

InitialWeightto- Tape
Ratio A
1.5
gm/cm2

TPO/TPU C
Moldings

1.5
gm/cm212 mm

2-6 (1 strip
every 50-75
mm of part
width)
2

Fascia Trim

2.3
gm/cm2

12 mm

1-2

6

Sills and Large
PVC Moldings

2.3
gm/cm2

12 mm

2

6 mm

Application

InitialWidth B

Number of
Tape Strips

Minimum
WidthCaliper

Commonly Used Products

16 mm

12 mm

1.5 mm3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1015
3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape PT1500
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape 5567

9 mm

1.1 mm3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1011
3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape PT1100
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape 5344
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1011
3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape PT1100
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape 5344
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1011
3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape PT1100
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape 5344
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape 5314

m 1.1 mmm

Small PVC
Moldings and Slats
Nameplates

1.1 mm

Full
Full
1
Full
Coverage Coverage
Coverage
Full
Full
1
Full
3M™ Die-Cuttable Tape Series DC2000
Coverage Coverage
Coverage
AB
Please refer to OEM Design Guidelines to confirm weight-to-tape ratio does not differ from recommendation listed aboveC
TPO and PP/EPDM are both terms to call out various grades of filled PP. Speak with your Application Engineering Representative
for more information

Non-Optimal Design
Curved Vehicle Surface and Part Cross Section
In some instances, the mating surface on the vehicle may be curved requiring a similar curvature in the part crosssection. As a result, the tape land will lie in multiple planes, and achieving full wet-out of the tape to the vehicle will be
more difficult. Curved part designs require more precision in both the part molding process and the sheet metal
tolerances. Contact your 3M application engineer for assistance.
If a curved cross section is necessary, the part should be designed so the tape land is parallel to the mating surface. If
the tape land is not parallel to the mating surface, mismatch will occur resulting in one or more of the following issues:•••

Minimal contact of the tape to the vehicle surface
Internal stresses
Lifting/gapping

Switching to a thicker tape or a more pliable substrate can help to alleviate these concerns.

Rigid part and thin tape
Lifting and gapping occur

Less rigid part and thicker tape
Minimize lifting and gappingApplication Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

6

Ribbed Designs
3M does not consider ribbed tape land designs a “best practice” for the following reasons:• Reduced contact area between tape and part
• Concentrated stress at the adhesive-part interface• Difficulty in manufacturing flat rib-top surfaces potentially reduces the tape to part contact area further• Increased need for tape placement accuracy• Edge of tape should be supported by the tape land area to ensure full wet-out of tape to sheet metal• Rib tops are often 1-2 mm wide – a tight laminating tolerance is needed to ensure placement of tape edge on
rib top
The following items need to be considered when designing a part with ribbed tape lands:• Maximize rib width (some successful applications have 2.5 mm ribs with 4.5 mm outside ribs)• Maintain the tape area to part weight ratio by calculating the sum of the widths (top flat area only) of the ribs
• Minimum recommended rib width is 0.75 mm on the middle ribs and 1.0-1.5 mm on the outside ribs
• The width of each rib will be a function of the height and the draft in tooling within the mold
• The edge of the tape must be supported. Tape placement tolerances must be considered to avoid unsupported
edges of the tape, which can lead to liner removal issues• The top of the rib should be flat, not curved or pointed
The use of 3M Primerless Tapes with Ribbed Tape Lands:•••

Laboratory Testing shows that 3M Primerless Tapes may be an option with ribbed tape lands – although flat
lands are always recommended wherever possible
It is recommended that part lands at either end of the part – or in areas of high stress – be kept flat or use
complete tape coverage with a die-cut part to ensure a robust bond to the difficult landing area
Work with a 3M application engineer to evaluate the difficulty of your application and determine a test andvalidation procedure to confirm product capability

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

7Part Design
Clearances
General Overview
A part that is to be adhesively attached must be designed to allow for tape wet-out contact on the vehicle surface
without interference. The tape cannot adhere to a surface it cannot touch. Parts should be designed with adequate
clearances in mind.

Recommendations
Hider Lips
Hider lips are frequently used on the A-line of a part to assist in blocking the visibility of the tape. When used, therecommendation is the tape stands proud of the hider lip at least 0.5 mm (0.02 in.)
0.55 mm min.

Tape

Feature Lines and Recessed Areas
Some designs call for the body side molding to follow along a feature line on the door. The part must be designed forthis purpose or it may have physical interference that could prevent adequate contact of the tape to the vehicle. Careshould be taken to take to account for sheet metal, part, and locator tolerances.

Troubleshooting
Wet-Out Testing
Having the tape stand proud of the hider lip will allow for good contact and pressurization of the tape to the bodysurface. To determine if there is adequate clearance, a wet-out test can be performed (see wet-out measurements inpressurization section of this document).

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

8

Lamination of Tape to Part
Cleaning
General Description
The part surface and work area where the tape is to be applied to the part should be clean. Lubricants, mold releases,
skin oil, airborne dust, etc., can contaminate the trim component or the tape and reduce the adhesion performance ofthe tape to the part.

Recommendations
Cleaning Method:
Clean the surface of the trim component no more than 20 minutes prior to tape lamination. The best practice is toclean the substrate using a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water* with a clean, non-abrasive cloth. The
cleaning should remove all contaminants and leave no residue.
Drying Time:
After cleaning, allow adequate time for the trim component to dry prior to tape lamination.
*Important Note: State Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) regulations may prohibit the use of this alcohol/water
solution. You should check with your state environmental authorities to determine whether use of this solution isrestricted or prohibited. When using solvents, extinguish all ignition sources, including pilot lights, and follow the
manufacturer's precautions and directions for use.

Troubleshooting
Cleaning Method:
In some cases, a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water may not consistently remove all contaminants, such as
mold releases or oils. This may result in failure of the tape to the substrate. A stronger solvent should be evaluated forthe cleaning process as well as for compatibility with the substrate.
It is very important when using 3M ™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Primerless Attachment, to confirm aclean and dry substrate prior to tape lamination.
Drying Time:If tape is laminated to a wet trim component, the residual solvent may contaminate the adhesive surface of the tape.
This may result in an adhesion failure of the tape to the part.
Adhesion Promoters (when required):
Cleaning with a contaminated cloth can compromise the application of adhesion promoters. If the part surface is notclean, the adhesion promoter may fail to adhere to the substrate.
Tape Lamination:
Cleaning with a contaminated cloth can also compromise the lamination of the tape to the trim component. If the partsurface is not clean, adhesion failure of the tape to the part may occur.
If the cleaned trim component is not kept protected from contaminants, or if cleaning occurred more than 20 minutes
prior to tape lamination, adhesion failure of the tape to the part may occur due to contamination.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

9

Lamination of Tape to Part
Painting
General Description
The processability and performance parameters for 3M™ Acrylic Foam, Acrylic Plus, and Primerless Tapes inpaint/bake applications are still being evaluated and are always addressed with tier suppliers on a case-by-case basis.
Standard 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape (AFT) products can only be used in low bake (less than 90°C [194°F]) paintableapplications, while 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape Series EX4000, EX4300 and PT1000 products have been shown to be able towithstand the temperatures in some high bake ovens (up to 137°C [280°F]). 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 Series
has been shown to withstand temperatures up to or at 90°C (194°F).

Best Practice
Masking
The best and recommended option to tape a painted part is the masking option. Using this method, the tape land areasof the parts are masked prior to the paint/bake operation, the masking tape is removed after the paint/bake process,and the tape land areas are cleaned, primed – if required -- (using 3M-recommended adhesion promoter) and thentaped. Masking the parts prior to the paint/bake operation ensures a clean tape land area that is free of paint over sprayand other contaminants.

Acceptable Options
Taping Parts Prior to the Paint/Bake Operation
This discussion will focus on 3M Acrylic Plus Tapes Series EX4000, EX4300 and PT1000 in paint/bake applications andnot 3M AFTs. One option is to apply a recommended 3M™ Adhesion Promoter to the tape land area and then tape theparts with 3M Acrylic Plus "T version" tape prior to the paint/bake operation. The 3M™ Liner GL-3 or ML-1 used on
3M Acrylic Plus Tapes Series PT and EX as well as the levelwound versions of the 3M Primerless tapes do not havesilicone on the backside, so paint over spray will bond better to these liners and not flake off in the assembly plant.
Each paint/bake application must be evaluated and considered on a case-by-case basis. Any paint process that allows
defective parts to be reworked and repainted should be processed through the paint/bake process the highest numberof passes allowed. It is important that finished parts are inspected visually, tested to specific part specifications andcycle tested on assembled doors. This testing is recommended prior to the approval of any tape application that goes
through a paint/bake process.
* Note: 3M continues to evaluate other liner constructions and product formulations to improve the performance of 3M
Acrylic Plus tapes in paint/bake applications.
Painting the Tape Lands Prior to Tape Applications
Another option is to paint the entire tape land area with paint primer, base coat and clear coat, prior to tape lamination.
On some flexible paint systems, 3M Acrylic Plus tapes and 3M Primerless Tapes bond very well. 3M AFTs may be usedwith the appropriate 3M Adhesion Promoter. Again, each application will have to be thoroughly tested to ensure agood bond has been achieved.
Paint Racks Designed to Shield Paint Overspray
The final option is to design the paint racks such that they shield the parts from overspray. 3M Primerless Tapes may be
an option for parts processed in this manner. A 3M recommended adhesion promoter may also be applied prior to tapelamination when using 3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

10

Risk Factors
Several concerns need to be considered with paintable applications, including the following:
Paint Overspray
3M does not recommend applying tape to paint overspray. The tape overspray typically has a weak bond to thesubstrate and reduces the bond strength to the component.
3M Acrylic Plus Tapes and 3M Primerless Tapes have very aggressive adhesives that require the use of a two-sided
silicone liner. In most instances, the flexible paint systems will not bond well to the silicone on the backside of the liner.
During liner removal, poor paint anchorage to a liner may result in paint flaking and subsequent contamination of thetape adhesive.
* Note: Paint overspray will bond better to 3M™ Liner GL-3 or ML-1 used on 3M Acrylic Plus “T-liner” Tape versions.
Another concern with paint overspray is the amount of overspray that ends up on the edges of the tape. A very heavy
amount of overspray on the edge of the tape may interfere with the performance of the tape, while a variable amount ofoverspray may lead to a bond line that is not visually consistent.
Product Performance
Testing has shown that 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tapes may have better wet-out and equal or better adhesion performance
than 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes after exposure to high temperature paint/bake cycles. Note that there is atime/temperature/paint exposure relationship, in that additional exposures to the paint/bake process may havedetrimental effects on the performance of 3M Acrylic Plus Tape. To address any potential application concerns, paintbaked parts with 3M Acrylic Tapes will have to be tested per part specification and part cycle testing requirements.
Product Wrinkling
We have observed 3M Acrylic Plus Tapes wrinkling after exposure to some paint/bake operations. This productwrinkling results when the liner lengthens during the bake process and then shrinks back slightly after the parts arecooled. The tape surface underneath the liner is softened during the bake cycle and then disrupted by the movement of
the liner. After the part is cooled, the liner deformities on the tape are permanently set. Stretching the tape 3-4% duringlamination, which is within our normal tape processing guidelines, can help minimize the formation of wrinkles. In some
applications, no product wrinkling is observed after the paint/bake process.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

11

Lamination of Tape to Part
Surface Preparation
General Description
3M has an extensive portfolio of attachment products including 3M Primerless Tapes that may be suitable options for
medium surface energy (MSE) or low surface energy (LSE) substrates without the use of an adhesion promoter. Referto the Part Design – Materials chart for additional information. Contact a 3M application engineer to discuss tapeselection.
If it is found that the current line of 3M Primerless Tapes are not appropriate for your application, an adhesion promoter
may be needed. An adhesion promoter is a resin system in a solvent carrier that is applied to a substrate to improvetape adhesion to a substrate. Adhesion promoters are required on some substrates to meet performance requirements.
The substrate is the determining factor as to which adhesion promoter to use.

Promoter Selection
Testing is required before a determination of promoter use or a recommendation can be made. Substrate samples canbe submitted to 3M Automotive application engineering for evaluation.

Recommendations
Application Method
The bonding surface should be clean and dry.
When a promoter is required, shake promoter well before using. The adhesion promoter can be applied by a gravity-fed
wipe, felt-tipped applicator or a similar applicator. Applicator heads should be cleaned or replaced regularly.
Adhesion Promoter Wet Coating Thickness
Apply a thin, uniform coating of promoter to the bonding surface. The recommended wet coating thickness is 0.05 mm(0.002 inches).
Adhesion Promoter Drying Time
Drying time will vary depending on the adhesion promoter used, coating thickness, and environmental conditions.
Generally, when applied at recommended wet thickness, a 5- to 60-second dry time should be effective.
Tape Lamination
For best results, tape should be applied to the prepared surface within one hour. Be sure the primed surface remains
free from contaminants prior to tape lamination.
* Note: Cleaning the part after application of the promoter may disrupt the newly created surface and is notrecommended.

Adhesion Promoter Troubleshooting
Application Method
Wiping on the adhesion promoter assures good contact of the solvent with the substrate, allowing the surface to swelland the chemical component to bond to the substrate. If the substrate surface is not clean or the promoter is not wiped
on, adhesion failure may be seen between the promoter and substrate.
Wet Coating Thickness
If the promoter is applied too thickly, the promoter may split, with some promoter staying with the substrate and somestaying with the tape. It is designed to adhere to substrates and tape, not to itself.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

12

Drying TimeIf tape is laminated to wet promoter, the new surface designed to adhere to the tape is not formed. Adhesion failure of
the tape to the promoter may occur.
Tape Lamination
If the primed surface is not kept protected from contaminants, or if more than one-hour elapses before tape lamination,
the tape may not adhere to the promoter due to contamination.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

13

Lamination of Tape to Part
Tape Application
General Description
3M has an extensive portfolio of attachment products
including 3M Primerless Tapes that may be suitableoptions for medium surface energy (MSE) or low surface
energy (LSE) substrates without the use of an adhesion
promoter. Refer to the Part Design – Materials chart for
additional information. Contact a 3M applicationengineer to discuss tape selection.
To allow customers the ability to validate the authenticity
of 3M products, 3M has transitioned to an enhanced liner
on many 3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes. The
3M branded liner is intended to instill customer
confidence in the product quality, comfort in knowing they are receiving the right product, and certainty that they aredelivering the right product and performance to their customers. Several competitive products on the market today
also take advantage of a red liner, and on occasion, our application engineering teams have identified applications
where the customer thought they were using 3M products, but were actually being supplied with a non-3M product.
All 3M Automotive Attachment Tapes with the standard red liner feature a subtle 3M logo mark on the liner. If you haveany questions as to whether or not your particular tape selection features the branded liner, please refer to theTechnical Data Sheet for that product. 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 Series tapes feature a 3M branded, breakresistant liner for more durable use in automated or manual assemblies.
It is recommended that a quick check be made during tape application to ensure that your application is indeed
leveraging the strength and brand promise of 3M Attachment Tapes.
Proper tape lamination to an automotive trim component is done by getting 100% contact of the adhesive surface to thepart while minimizing any unwanted force, such as stretch, imparted to the tape. This is ideally achieved using roller
pressure from one end of the tape to the other as the tape is being applied.

Recommendations
Pressure
Pressure is needed to provide intimate contact between the tape and the bonding surface. 3M recommends 10-50
N/cm2 (14.5-72.5 psi) of roller pressure.
Alternatively, immediate compression during lamination can be used to gauge adequate pressurization.
StretchForces that create stretch during lamination should be minimized. Excessive stretch results in the liner pulling back fromthe ends of the tape, liner pop-off or a change in the liner thickness. Several processing parameters affect tape stretch:
•
•

•
•

Pressure: Excessive pressure can induce stretch in the tape. Noticeably more pressure than that required toachieve 100% tape wet-out should be avoided.
Tension: Minimizing tension along the tape path will minimize stretch in the laminated tape. Areas to keep inmind include: limiting the number of idler rollers, minimizing rotational friction and idler drag, selecting materials
that provide good release from 3M adhesives, and maintaining the proper tension on the unwind hub.
Speed: Constant speed serves to minimize tension and stretch. Rapid acceleration can increase stretch, andhigh speeds may adversely affect start/stop positions.
Laminating Roller Diameter: 3M recommends using a roller 5 cm (2 in) or larger in diameter. The theoreticalstretch caused by the roller is determined by the following formula: (2 x Tape/Liner Thickness / Roller
Diameter) x 100% = % Stretch. Based on this, increasing roller diameter reduces the stretch.

Application Guidelines
3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tape for Exterior Trim Attachment

14

Temperature
The recommended temperature range for applying 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes 3M™ Acrylic Plus, and 3M Primerless
Tapes is 18 - 38°C (64.4 – 100.4°F). 3M Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 series tapes offer confident application on partover a wide range of temperatures, as low as 5°C (41°F) and up to 40°C (104°F).

Troubleshooting
Contamination
During the tape to part lamination process, it is important to avoid contact with the adhesive face of that tape –especially in the application of 3M Primerless Tapes. Sweat, oils, lotion, etc. can create contamination on the adhesive
surface that can hinder the bond between the adhesive and substrate. In lamination processes where contact with thetape face cannot be avoided, it is recommended that the operators where wear lint free gloves (e.g. Kimberly –Clark™
Purple Nitrile Examination Gloves).
Pressure
Inadequate pressure will lead to reduced contact, or wet-out, to the bonding surface. A wet-out test can be run todetermine the level of contact and assist in troubleshooting (see section on wet-out procedures in the pressurization
section).
Excessive pressure can induce stretch in the tape or cause the tape to take a compression set, which means the tapedoes not recover to its original thickness.
Alternatives to roller pressure exist, such as platen-type pressurization where the entire tape area would receive thepressurization force at the same time. This is more often used in pressurizing small sections of tape. While this can be
successful, it increases the potential for air entrapment under the tape. This occurs when the perimeter of the tapemakes contact before the center, which eliminates a path for air to escape. If there are concerns, a wet-out test can beused to evaluate a given tape lamination process.
StretchAs stated above, excessive stretch in the tape can cause liner to pull back or liner pop off and may impact the tapethickness. The above outline of process parameters indicates methods of reducing stretch. In some cases, typically
extrusions, automotive components may undergo some shrinkage.
If this occurs after tape is applied, liner can ripple and buckle as the tape does not shrink along with the part. This canbe overcome by intentionally stretching the tape during application. “Stretch lamination” should be done such that thepercent stretch applied to the tape matches the percent shrink expected in the part. Stretch of the tape in these cases
should not exceed 4%.
Temperature
Temperatures outside the recommended range, 18 - 38°C (64.4 – 100.4°F) for most 3M Acrylic Foam Tapes and 3M
Acrylic Plus Tapes and 5°C-40°C (41°F-104°F) for 3M Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 Series, have the potential of
causing issues with tape application. Lower temperatures cause the foam core and adhesive to become stiffer and lesscompliant, making full contact with the surface more difficult. Higher temperatures soften both the foam and adhesive.
While this makes pressurization easier, it may also allow the tape to stretch more.

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Lamination of Tape to Part
Tabbing
General Description
Some taped parts are required to have a tab on the liner to facilitate liner removal by line operators. This is mostcommonly done using an extended liner tab, heat-bond tab, or pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tab. A PSA tab will notwork on the siliconized liner of 3M Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 series.

Recommendations
The most reliable tabbing method is the extended liner, followed by the heat-bond tab and then a PSA tab.
Extended-Liner Tabs
Extended-liner tabs are produced by leaving a small excess of tape past the end of the part. The tape is then removed
from this area, leaving just the liner to be used as the tab. This is considered the most reliable because it does not
require any secondary process to form the tab, and the liner is continuous. Pre-cut strips or die-cuts with extended
liners can be also be ordered through a 3M preferred converter.
Heat-Bond Tabs
Heat-bond tabs are formed by using heat and pressure to bond a film to the top surface of the liner near the end of thepart. The most common heat-bond tapes used for this purpose are 3M™ Tabbing Tape 5400 and 3M™ Tabbing Tape
5081. These are typically applied using a liner tabbing machine, such as the Straub™ Liner Tabbing Machine WL-50.
The parameters of temperature, pressure, and dwell time are controlled to ensure a good bond of tabbing tape to theliner. Done properly, the tabbing tape forms a permanent bond to the liner. The table below shows the recommended
process conditions for both tabbing tapes:
3M™ Tabbing Tape 5400
Temperature
149 - 204°C (300 -400°F)Time
0.2 – 2.0 sec
Pressure
68 – 413 kPa (10 – 60 psi)
*Amount of pressure required is determined by firmness of substrate.

3M™ Tabbing Tape 5081
150 - 170°C (302 -338°F)
1 – 2 sec
Up to 551 kPa (80 psi*)

Note: Regional variations exist for recommended heat bond tabbing tape. Speak with your application engineering
representative for more details.
If one or more of the heat-bond settings (temperature, time or pressure) is too low, the tabbing tape will not adequately
bond to the liner surface and the tabbing tape will peel from the liner during removal.
Excessive temperature and/or time may cause the liner to shrink or melt, which can cause the tabbed area of the liner
to release from the tape and increase the chance of tape contamination.
Excessive pressure coupled with higher temperatures could cause the 3M™ Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes totake a compression set – not allowing it to return to its original thickness. The reduced thickness may limit the ability ofthe tape to make full contact with the vehicle.
The liners used on 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape Series EX4000, EX4300 and PT1000 and 3M Primerless Tapes are notreceptive to heat-bond tabbing without additional processing. See section on “3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape Tabbing” forfurther information.

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Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Tabs
PSA tabs are made using a pressure sensitive adhesive tape bonded to the end of the liner. For 3M™ Acrylic Foam
Tapes, the most commonly used PSA tapes are 3M™ Tabbing and Splicing Tape 5300 and 3M™ Splicing Tape 4240.
3M™ Acrylic Plus Tapes and 3M Primerless Tapes require the use of 3M™ Tabbing and Splicing Tape 5699. Accurate
placement and full contact are required when using a PSA tab. The reliability can be increased greatly with the use of an“over-under” tab – one that is folded and applied such that it contacts both sides of the liner.
PSA Tabs

Under Tabs

PSA tabs require more precise placement in order tobe reliable. PSA tabs should be applied such that theadhesive makes full contact, especially out to theleading edge of the liner. Ideally the tab should beoriented at an angle to encourage the liner to be pulledfrom one corner.

Under tabs are significantly more reliable than
PSA tabs applied only the top surface of theliner. In this tab, the leading edge of the liner islifted and the tab is applied to the underside ofthe liner.

Note: If a PSA tab is used with 3M Acrylic Plus Tape or 3M Primerless Tapes, it is highly recommended that an under orover-under tab is utilized.
Quality Checks
When evaluating tab performance, care should be taken to minimize the amount of liner that is lifted and to achieve fullcontact of the liner with the tape when replaced. This will minimize the likelihood of adhesive contamination due toliner lifting during shipment.
* Straub is a trademark of Straub Design Company.

Heat-Bond Tabbing on 3M Acrylic Plus and Primerless Tapes
Standard rolls of 3M Acrylic Plus Tapes and 3M Primerless Tapes will not accept a heat-bond tab with traditional
methods. If no other tabbing options exist, there are two solutions available:
Tabbable Tapes
Tabbable tapes have been introduced to address this issue. These tapes, available in either planetary or levelwoundrolls, employ a secondary liner that is removed during tape lamination to the part. The top surface of the liner that stays
with the tape is receptive to standard heat-bond tabbing methods. 3M recommends the use of 3M™ Tabbing Tape5081 with these products (see previous “Heat-Bond Tabs” section).
3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape PX5000 and Acrylic Plus Tape EX4500 are available in a tabbable version in levelwound rollform.
Liner Scuffing
The easy-release coating on 3M Acrylic Plus Tape and 3M Primerless Tape liners can be removed effectively by
scuffing the surface with a Scotch-Brite® Wheel or 3M™ Radial Bristle Disc. This quick operation can then be followedwith the standard heat-bond tabbing operation. The 3M™ Tabber/Abrader UW500 performs these operations in asingle step. This equipment is available through your 3M application engineer.
Note: Debris generated by this operation should be handled similar to plant dust.

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Lamination of Tape to Part
Quality Checks
General Description
To increase robustness of tape-attached trims, the following quality checks are recommended.

Part Dimensional Check
Dimensional checks of finished parts should be made in the free-state (no clamps). Parts should be within tolerance forsmile and bowing. Parts exceeding tolerance will transfer larger than designed forces to the tape bond-line and/or leadto insufficient wet-out. Part lifting and/or adhesion failure may occur in the final application as a result. The severity isdependent on the modulus of the part and the degree to which the part is out of dimensional tolerance.

Tape Adhesion to Part
Monitoring the tape-to-part adhesion is an important ongoing quality test. Determining the level of adhesion between
the tape and part is by nature a destructive test and therefore needs to be done on an audit basis.
Procedure
An aluminum foil strip equal to or greater than the width of the tape is first laminated byhand to the tape after removing the liner. The strip is made with an overhang on the endof the part. After a fixed dwell time, this overhanging foil strip is pulled at a 90° angle
away from the surface of the part at a constant rate (typically 12 inches per minute).
Ideally this is done in a tensile load cell device with an appropriate fixture that allows thepart to move such that the peel front remains at 90° to the part. The average peel force
over a fixed length of peel is reported. Both the average peel force and the resulting
mode of failure are important indicators of the lamination quality.
The peel force is a function of tape width. Significant reductions to the average peel force and/or a change to anadhesive failure mode (no tape residue on the part surface) indicates a potential problem with the tape lamination
process.

Tape to Tape-Land Area Relationship
Tape should align with center of tape land area. Ideally, the tape land area is wider than the tape by > 2 mm (0.07 in). A
visual check should be conducted to verify that there are no areas where the tape overhangs the tape land or is applied
to a hider lip. Overhang will result in a reduction in the amount of tape that effectively supports the part in application.
Additionally, interference with a hider lip could cause problems during part installation inhibiting wet-out.
Measurements using a steel ruler can be taken of exposed land area along part to verify alignment.
The ends of the tape should not extend beyond the tape land area. Excess tape could wrap around the part and adhere
to the A surface. Unsupported tape makes it difficult to remove the liner.

Compression of Tape
Visually check for any areas on the tape where over-compression (crushing) may have occurred. Areas with asignificant reduction in tape thickness indicate over-compression. Tape in these areas will not perform as intended withthe potential for reduced wet-out and stress-handling capabilities.

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Liner Conditions

The release liner should be smooth and aligned with the edges of the tape. Wrinkling and misalignment produce thepotential for contamination of the adhesive surface and are indicators of problems during lamination.

Entrapped Air
Entrapped air (indicated by easily deformed high spots on the surface of the tape) is undesirable as the tape will nothave full wet-out to the part tape land area. Reduced stress-handling capabilities will result.

Tabs
Tab effectiveness can be monitored by lifting the liner from the tape by the tab. When this is done on production parts,
effort should be made to minimize the amount of liner lifted and realign the liner to the tape before packing. Bestpractice is to test dummy parts that are disposable to avoid the risk of contaminating the tape surface of a production
part.

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Lamination of Tape to Part
Packaging
General Description
Packaging is an important factor in ensuring the quality of the parts received at the end use customers without damage
to the tape.

Best Practice
Plastic Returnable Containers
Packaging taped parts in rigid plastic containers is the preferred packaging option. Taped parts in these containers
should be separated by foamed inserts so the parts do not contact each other and cause damage or initiate peel on thetape liner. Packing with a slight amount of pressure keeps the taped parts stable during shipping. Special attention
should be taken to protect the tabbed ends of the parts in order to prevent liner lifting. Care should be taken to remove
extra debris/contaminants from returned containers.

Acceptable Options
Corrugated Boxes
Corrugated boxes are commonly used for packaging taped automotive parts. Taped parts in corrugated containers
should be separated by sleeves/inserts and should be packaged with a slight amount of pressure so the parts do notcontact each other during shipment. Corrugated containers can be dirty and/or dusty and should be inspected prior touse.

Risk Factors
Packaging/Shipping Die Cuts and Taped Parts – Cold Weather
Die cuts and taped parts should be packaged in such a manner that they are well secured. Liner pop off is commonly
observed when die cuts contact each other, especially in cold weather conditions. Use of silicone liners may potentiallyreduce liner pop off during cold weather shipment.
Note: If parts are not packaged separately, parts may potentially adhere together during shipment.
Small parts shipped in bulk should be packaged in a plastic bag that is wrapped as tightly as possible and fits securely inthe shipping container. If parts and packages are loosely packed, liner pop-off will be likely, especially in cold weather
conditions.

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Lamination of Tape to Part
Finished Part Dimensional Tolerance
General Description
Dimensional tolerances play an important role in the success of the attachment exterior trim components. The level oftape wet-out and residual stress on the tape bond line is greatly affected by the degree in which the part profile
matches the vehicle’s sheet metal.

Overall Part Dimensions
As previously mentioned, dimensional checks of finished parts should be made in the free-state (no clamps). Parts
should be within tolerance for smile and bowing. Parts exceeding tolerance will transfer larger than designed forces tothe tape bond-line and/or lead to insufficient wet-out. Part lifting and/or adhesion failure may occur in the final
application as a result. The severity is dependent on the modulus of the part, the degree to which the part is out ofdimensional tolerance, and the adhesion characteristics to the paint system involved.

In most cases, the deformed part is forced into its designed shape on the OEM assembly line as it is applied to thevehicle. When this occurs, any residual stress in the part is transferred to the tape bond line. Lowering this residual
stress level will improve the application robustness.

Tape Land
The tape land area should be flat and parallel to the mating sheet metal. Cross-sectional cupping and/or crowning of
the land area can affect tape wet-out and pressurization.

Hider Lip
Hider lips are designed to disguise the edges of the tape from sight. The dimensional height of the hider lips must be atleast 0.5 mm (0.02 in) less than the uncompressed thickness of the tape. This difference allows for proper compression
and wet-out of the adhesive to the mating surface. Failure to maintain this height difference can result in reduced
adhesion, gapping, and/or part failure.
0.5 mmTape

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Placement of Part on Vehicle
Storage Conditions and Temperature
General Description
Automotive trim parts that are tape-attached typically require storage and temperature conditions similar to non-taped
parts. There are some unique conditions to be aware of that are specific to tape-attached parts.

Contamination
Contamination from dust or fluids will adversely affect tape performance. Care should be taken to minimize exposing
the parts to these contaminants while in storage or on the line. Parts should also be packed and/or sequenced such thatthe liner remains in contact with the tape. Tape with a liner that has been removed (or popped off) is very susceptible tocontamination. 3M recommends that the liner not be removed from the tape until the part is ready to be applied.

Part Temperature
The recommended temperature range for both the vehicle surface and the part during application is 18 - 38 °C (64.4 100°F). Additional heat is not required for 3M pressure sensitive adhesives. There are some situations where part
heating may be advantageous:Part Workability
A heated trim component is typically more pliable and therefore conforms easier to the vehicle body. This is especiallytrue of extruded PVC moldings. If there is some mismatch between the trim component and the sheet metal, preheating
the part can improve its flexibility and allow for better fit and contact with the vehicle.

Cold Part Storage
Parts that are stored cold and installed prior to returning to ambient temperature present two potential issues. A colder
part is less flexible and this may affect its ability to conform to the vehicle. Also, a cold part brought into the ambient
plant conditions may develop condensation on the surface. Moisture on the tape surface can reduce short-term
adhesion performance. In both of these situations, part heating may be required prior to application.

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Placement of Part on Vehicle
Cleaning
General Description
The vehicle surface and installation area where the part is to be applied should be clean. Lubricants, mold release, skinoil, airborne dust, etc., can contaminate the body or the trim component and reduce the adhesion performance of thetape to the vehicle. To increase the robustness of the process, the vehicle surface should be cleaned with ScotchBrite® High-Performance Cleaning Cloths or a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water* with a clean, nonabrasive cloth.
*Important Note: State Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) regulations may prohibit the use of this alcohol/water
solution. You should check with your state environmental authorities to determine whether use of this solution isrestricted or prohibited. When using solvents, extinguish all ignition sources, including pilot lights, and follow the
manufacturer's precautions and directions for use.

Recommendations
Cleaning Method
The best practice is to clean with an automated 3M™ Scotch-Brite™ High Performance Cleaning Cloth, (dry system).
Scotch-Brite cloths, which do not require the use of solvents, should be indexed after every three to seven vehicles, orwhen visually soiled. The frequency of indexing will depend on the amount of contamination and the size of the vehicle
surface cleaned. Clean the vehicle surface no more than 20 minutes prior to trim component installation.
Cleaning equipment should be linked to the electronic factory feedback system to notify operators that the equipment
is not operational or not indexing properly.
Alternate Cleaning Methods
An acceptable alternative is an automated solvent wipe with a clean, non-abrasive cloth. The solvent wipe cloth should
be indexed after every vehicle and poses environmental and time-to-dry concerns. After cleaning with a solvent wipe
system, allow adequate time for the vehicle body to dry prior to application of the trim component.
If cleaning equipment cannot be hooked into the electronic factory feedback system, each piece of equipment shouldhave an alarm to notify operators that the equipment is not operational or the solvent dispenser has run dry or is empty(if using the solvent system).
Both of these systems can be performed manually. If a facility cleans by hand, the operators should wipe the entire
portion of the vehicle to which trim is to be applied.

Troubleshooting
Drying Time (solvent system)
If the trim component is applied to a wet vehicle body, the residual solvent may contaminate the adhesive surface ofthe tape. This may result in failure of the tape to the vehicle.
Vehicle Contamination
Cleaning with a contaminated cloth can compromise the adhesion of the tape to the vehicle. If the vehicle surface is notclean, this may result in lifting or failure of the part to the vehicle.
If cleaning occurred more than 20 minutes prior to application of the trim component, lifting of the part from the vehicle
may occur due to contamination.

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Placement of Part on Vehicle
Liner Removal
General Description
It is important that the correct technique be used when removing 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tapes, 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape,and 3M primerless tape liners to minimize the potential of tearing the liner or breaking a liner splice.
To address the expressed need by customers to be able to validate
the authenticity of 3M products, 3M has transitioned to an
enhanced liner on many 3M Acrylic Foam and Acrylic Plus Tapes.
The 3M branded liner is intended to instill customer confidence inthe product quality, comfort in knowing they are receiving the rightproduct, and certainty that they are delivering the right productand performance to their customers. Several competitive productson the market today also take advantage of a red liner, and on
occasion, our application engineering teams have identified
applications where the customer thought they were using 3M
products, but were actually being supplied with a non-3M product. All 3M Automotive Attachment Tapes with thestandard red liner feature a subtle 3M logo mark on the liner. If you have any questions as to whether or not yourparticular tape selection features the branded liner, please refer to the Technical Data Sheet for that product. 3M™
Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 Series tapes feature a 3M branded, break resistant liner for more durable use in automatedor manual assemblies.
It is recommended that a quick check be made during tape application to ensure that your application is indeed
leveraging the strength and brand promise of 3M Attachment Tapes.

Recommendations
The liner should be removed at an angle less than 90 degrees to thedirection of peel of the liner. This means that the position of one’s hand,
while removing the liner, must remain ahead of the point where the liner isin contact with the tape surface. This position should be maintained during
the entire time of liner removal. If the direction of pull on the liner isperpendicular to the direction of the tape, the shear force imparted on theliner can cause a tear or a splice to fail. Splice failure can be identified by aclean tear in the liner usually at an angle of approximate 45 degrees acrossthe tape width or at the location of a tape splice.
* NOTE: This procedure does not apply to those applications where theliner is removed after the part is positioned on the vehicle.

Special Cases
In some applications, such as a taped-on wheel flare, the part will be positioned on the vehicle prior to the removal of
the liner. The part is typically held in place by positioning pins. In these situations, the removal of the liner at therecommended angle is not possible. Additionally, the liner may be required to withstand removal while being pinchedbetween the part and the sheet metal. Specialty liners with higher strength and tear resistance are recommended forthese applications. 3M™ Acrylic Foam Tape RPX1000 Series tapes feature a tear-resistant liner engineered for morerobust automation applications. Please contact your 3M application engineer for product recommendations.

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Placement of Part on Vehicle
Part Positioning
General Description
This section will describe the critical parameters involved in the initial positioning of the part on the vehicle surface.

Recommendations
Time between Cleaning and Placement
Over time, environmental dust and oils will tend to contaminate the cleaned vehicle surface. 3M suggests a bestpractice of 20 minutes or less between cleaning the vehicle surface and placement of the part on the vehicle. This
recommendation is based on typical OEM assembly plant conditions. If the application is in an unusually dirty
environment, the time between cleaning and application should be reduced appropriately. If a dry wipe system is used,
the part can be positioned on the vehicle immediately following cleaning. If solvents are used in the cleaning process,time for the solvents to fully evaporate must be allowed before part placement.
Liner Removal
Check for complete removal of the liner from the 3M tape before placement of the part on the vehicle. The removal of
the liner should immediately precede part placement to minimize potential uncovered adhesive surface contamination.
Operators should not touch the adhesive surface as oils from skin and/or debris from clothing or gloves can easilytransfer and reduce performance via adhesive contamination.
Alignment of Part
Proper alignment between the vehicle sheet metal and the part is needed to ensure the proper location of the trim
component. Proper location is critical because the contour of the molding is designed to match a specific area andcontour of the sheet metal. Alignment must be achieved before any contact occurs between the adhesive and the metal
surface. Initial adhesion is normally high enough to make realignment of the part difficult. Damage to the part and/or
adhesive surface can result from attempts to realign the part after contact and is not recommended.
Automated fixturing is often used to locate and provide initial pressurization of the part on the vehicle surface byreferencing hard points such as wheel wells, doorsills, etc. Manual installations often use locator pins to aid in thelocation process. Manual installations that do not use locator pins rely on the operator to determine the correct position
and increase the potential for misalignment.

Troubleshooting
Poor Adhesion
Contamination from dust and oil on either the painted sheet metal surface or the exposed adhesive surface of the tapecan result in lower adhesion. To minimize this risk:
1. Verify that liner removal is taking place immediately prior to placement and that the entire liner has been
removed.
2. Verify that the adhesive surface is not making contact with anything prior to application.
3. Check that the sheet metal cleaning process is operating properly and is completed less than 20 minutes prior
to part application.
4. Verify that the part is not crashing on the sheet metal surface and interfering with adhesive contact.
If manually aligned, check for proper locator pin location and/or potential crashing.
Misalignment
Misalignment can result from improper positioning of the tool. To minimize this risk:
1. Check that tool is properly locating designed sheet metal hard points.
2. Verify that the tool accommodates all vehicle trim levels and option packages.
3. Verify that the tool is properly calibrated.
If the part is being manually located, check that the locator pins are properly aligned.

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Placement of Part on Vehicle
Part Location Fixtures
General Description
Often, a tape-attached part is placed on a vehicle with assistance of a mechanical fixture used to locate and pressurize
the part. This section addresses the recommendations for a part application fixture.

Recommendations
Part Nest
The part nest on the mechanical fixture must hold the part securely without applying any stress, inducing cupping, or
causing interference. It must also allow the part to be released from fixture without imposed stress. The nest should bedesigned to function with parts throughout the range of dimensional tolerances. The surface of the nest that comes incontact with the part should be coated such that no damage is caused to Class A surface.
Locating
Proper part placement on the vehicle depends on a consistent locating mechanism. The fixture must be designed suchthat it mates with the vehicle, keying on a constant location point such as door opening or wheel well. This location
point must be held through the application cycle of the fixture.
Fixture Balance
The fixture needs to be balanced properly, so the operator can use it easily, and allow the proper introduction of thepart to the vehicle in a level and controlled manner.
Ejector Pins
Ejector pins are internal to the nest, located below the surface at the resting position. They are used to assist withejecting the part onto the vehicle. These pins should fire with enough pressure to allow the part to make contact withthe body of the vehicle, and with enough pressure to allow sufficient initial tack to hold the part in place until rollers areapplied. The pins should be coated so as not to cause any damage to the Class A surface of the part. The number andlocation of pins will be specific to each application. Confer with a 3M application engineer for recommendations.
Cylinder Firing Sequence
Pneumatic cylinders are typically used to power the ejector pins. They need to fire in sequence so that stress is not
imparted to the taped part. This sequence will be application specific. Confer with a 3M application engineer forrecommendations.
Pressurizing
The rollers that apply pressure to the part to adhere it to the vehicle must be positioned to deliver the required pressure
to the tape-vehicle interface to ensure the best wet-out and adhesion. Pressure is best applied with smooth, clean
rollers directly over the tape location. For larger parts, such as a cladding with multiple tape strips, the best practice isto pressurize the tape on the vertical center of the part before pressurizing the top and bottom sections. Rollers should
be checked regularly for signs of wear.
Exercise caution when pressurizing. Rule of thumb is approximately 10-50 N/cm2 (14.5-72.5 psi). Too much pressure
can crease or oil-can the sheet metal. Too much pressure can also induce part flex. A flexed part can give a false
reading of proper wet-out and, after roll-down, will spring back to its neutral position and induce stress on the bond tothe vehicle.
Pressurization is recommended as part of the application fixture. Often a secondary roller station is used to ensure wetout and pressurization.

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Roller Station
Stationary roller stands can be used either as primary pressurization or as a secondary operation after initialpressurization is applied by the fixture. As a secondary means of pressurization, the roller station has a broader
processing window and provides greater assurance for adequate part adhesion.
When used as primary means of pressurization, the same items mentioned under the pressurization section apply.
Rollers must be positioned properly, in the correct vertical position as well as normal to the vehicle, to deliver therequired pressure to the tape-vehicle interface in order to ensure the best wet-out and adhesion. Pressure is best
applied with smooth, clean rollers.
As with other forms of pressurization, exercise caution when pressurizing. Too much pressure can crease or “oil-can”
the body or induce part flex. A flexed part can give a false reading of proper wet-out, and after roll-down, will springback to its neutral position and induce stress on the bond to the vehicle.

Troubleshooting
Surface Contact Testing
A common method of evaluating part application is to conduct a wet-out test. When observing the tape contact area todetermine if there are considerable areas lacking wet-out, consider the following checklist of items:•

Hider Lip: Does the area of non-wet run along the edge where the hider lip is? If so, check the clearance of thehider lip. Tape should be at least 0.5mm proud of the hider lip.
0.5 mm min

•
•

•

•

Tape

Pressure – Location: Check to see the rollers are in good condition to apply pressure directly to the tape land
areas.
Pressure – Amount: Check the air pressure gauge to determine if the proper amount of pressure is being
delivered. The pressure setting should provide a minimum of 10 N/cm2 (14.5 psi) and should not exceed 50
N/cm2 (72.5 psi) width of tape at the part-vehicle interface.
Ejector Pin: Does the area of non-wet correspond with a particular ejector pin? If so, check to see all pins are
firing and in proper sequence.
Part Mismatch: Hold a part to the vehicle with the liner still on – determine if there is any obvious partmismatch.

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Pressurization
Time, Roller Angle and Location
General Description
This section will outline potential considerations for the pressurization step of the application process.

Time Allowed for Part Placement and Pressurization
The exterior part should be positioned on the vehicle surface immediately following the removal of the liner andpressurization should occur immediately.

Roller Angle and Location
The roller angle should be perpendicular to the tape surface as shown in the cladding example in Figure 1 below. The
midpoint of the roller should be directly over the tape land area. Trial tests should be run in the plant at the beginning ofa launch to ensure the rollers are at the proper angle and location to achieve wet-out following the application of thepart to the vehicle. Once the correct angle and roller location are determined, the dimensions should be documented
for repeatability and future reference.
Figure 1: This figure shows the location of therollers is directly over and perpendicular to thestrips of tape on this cladding application.

Roller Pressurizing Force
The initial guideline for the part-bonding pressure to is 10-50 N/cm2 (14.5-72.5 psi). The actual pressure required toachieve wet-out will be dependent upon both the part section modulus and geometric mismatch of the part to the sheet
metal. Adequate tape wet-out should be verified by testing per the wet-out test method. In extreme cases, increasing
the pressure will not achieve the desired wet-out result. If the pressurization force is too large, there can be deformationof the part and/or sheet metal. The intent in this process is to pressurize 100% of the tape land area and achieve at least
80% wet-out of the adhesive to the vehicle surface.
For cladding operations, it is better to pressurize the middle tape land areas first, and then pressurize the top andbottom tape land areas next. Pressurizing in this manner will reduce the potential of creating stress on the tape bondline and result in a successful application.

Troubleshooting
Figure 2 shows an incorrect application of roller force, as theroller is not positioned directly over and perpendicular to thetape land area. 14.5 pounds is applied from the roller, but
only 13 pounds of force is normal to the cladding surface
and 7.5 pounds of shear force is applied to the cladding.

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Pressurization
Wet-Out Measurement
General Description
Wet-out tests are used to aid in design validation and manufacturing process of a tape-attached trim component. Wetout testing confirms sufficient contact of the tape to the vehicle. Key elements for successful wet-out include partmatch to vehicle, roller angle, location, and pressure.

Recommendations
The recommended minimum wet-out is 80%. Applications demonstrating less than 80% wet-out are questionable andare candidates for further process and/or design improvements. Any single area without wet-out shall represent nomore than 15% of the total tape surface area. Examples of wet-out test results are included below.

Plant Wet-Out Test Procedure for PSA-Attached Moldings
1. Apply a very thin coating of water-based paint to the vehicle body, where the parts will be attached, using a closed
foam paintbrush.
Note: If the application uses 3M™ Acrylic Plus Tape Series EX4000, EX4300, EX4500, or PT1000, 3M™ Acrylic
Foam Tape Series RPX1000 or 3M™ Die-Cuttable Tape Series DC2000, adding UV dye (1 packet per 8 oz. bottle)
to the water-based paint will enhance the visual effect under a UV light. Packets of UV dye (link to SDS) can beobtained from PPG Aerospace/PRC Desoto @ 317-290-1600.
Alternative materials (such as dry erase markers) can be used, although they should be evaluated for effectivenessand clean removal on an inconspicuous area of the vehicle.
2. Allow the paint to become dry to the touch. To verify dryness, check for paint transfer to your fingertips. Do nottouch the part interface area when checking for dryness. The paint is ready when none transfers to your finger.
Depending on the ambient temperature and humidity, drying should be complete in about three to five minutes atroom temperature, or more quickly if body heaters, fans, etc. are used in process. It is important to wait for the paintto be sufficiently dry before beginning the test. Paint that is too wet or too dry will not accurately determine wetout. Some guidelines for identifying paint that is too dry are found below:• "Too-dry" Time Guide: Do not conduct a test when the paint has been on the vehicle for more than 20 minutes.
• "Too-dry" Visual Guide: Do not conduct a test when the paint is over-dried, or when the paint has a "flaked"
appearance on the adhesive surface of the tape after testing.
3. Ensure that any automated surface cleaning operations are disabled for the test vehicle(s) if the test paint needs tobe applied before this stage on the production line to allow for proper drying.
4. Remove the tape liner, and process the part using the normal production process.
5. Remove the part, being careful not to touch the tape. The paint will transfer to areas of the tape that are being
adequately pressurized, yielding a "footprint" of areas that achieve proper wet-out. Cover the adhesive surface
with clear packaging tape to avoid damaging the wet-out imprint.
Look at the tape surface and determine which areas have paint transfer. To determine wet-out, a grid made up of
1mm x 1mm squares may be used to measure percent tape wet-out to the body. (Examples of Wet-out Test Results
can be found later in this bulletin.)
6. Upon completion of the test, remove the water-based paint from the vehicle using water and clean cloths. Usingsolvents or cleaners other than water makes cleaning more difficult.
7. Prepare the bonding surface of the body for the production part by cleaning with a 50/50 alcohol/water* wash, or
use Scotch-Brite® High Performance Cleaning Cloths.
*Important Note: State Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) regulations may prohibit the use of this alcohol/water
solution. You should check with your state environmental authorities to determine whether use of this solution isrestricted or prohibited. When using solvents, extinguish all ignition sources, including pilot lights, and follow the
manufacturer's precautions and directions for use.

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Troubleshooting
If the wet-out test does not meet the 80% minimum, verify the following:
Roller Angle/Location/Pressure
Incorrect roller angle, location, or pressure can result in unacceptable wet-out test results. Please refer to the“Pressurization: Time, Roller Angle and Location Guidelines” for additional information.
Paint too Wet or Dry
It is important to wait for the paint to be sufficiently dry before beginning the test. Paint that is too wet or too dry will
not accurately determine wet-out. Some guidelines for identifying paint that is too dry are were shared in step 2 above.
Proper Application of Wet-Out Test Material to Vehicle
When applying the wet-out test paint, it is important to ensure full coverage of the vehicle body where the molding will
be attached. Improper coverage can produce poor wet-out results.
Sheet Metal Quality
If vehicle sheet metal is outside tolerance, this may result in poor fit of the part to the vehicle and, thus, poor wet-out
results.
Part Match to Vehicle
Components of part match to the vehicle that can negatively affect wet-out test results include: mismatch to the sheet
metal, incorrect tape placement, part/hider lip crash, and incorrect part location. Please refer to Part Design Guidelines
for additional information.
Heat Trim Component
Heating above ambient temperature is not required for 3M pressure sensitive adhesives, but in some instances heatshould be applied to the trim component. A heated trim component is typically more pliable and will conform easier tothe vehicle surface. This can improve tape contact to the vehicle. The component supplier should be consulted
regarding optimum installation temperature.

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Pressurization
Pressure Measurement
General Description
Adequate pressure must be applied to a tape-attached part to assure contact with the vehicle and part retention.
Delivered pressure between the tape/body interface can be evaluated several ways. This document outlines the use ofpressure-indicating film and a Tekscan™ sensor to evaluate pressure.

Pressure-Indicating Film
Pressure-indicating film works using permanent color changes to show distribution and degrees of pressure, with color
intensity proportional to applied force. An internet search of “pressure-indicating film” will provide multiple potential
vendors.

Advantages of Using the Film
Pressure-indicating films are easy to use and assembly-plant friendly. There are no additional or specialized tools
needed for use. They are lightweight, portable and thin – 4-8 mils (0.1-0.2 mm). These physical properties allow them tobe adapted to multiple configurations (nameplate, body side molding, cladding, etc) where they can conform to curved
surfaces and be used in tight-fitting spaces. The films provide a permanent record of the pressure reading and are an
accepted industry measurement (ASTM F2467).

Disadvantages of Using the Film
The films must be handled with care so as not to activate the developing sheet prior to being placed on the surface. The
pressure reading provided is approximate or relative; it is qualitative, not quantitative.

Computerized Measurement
The Tekscan™ sensor unit is one brand of computerized equipment that measures pressure quantitatively through apressure sensor and allows a more complete analysis of delivered pressure. There are several ways to look at the datawith this unit. The main applicable functions are the ability to view the peak load transfer path and pressure
distributions.

Peak load transfer path is mapped as a line on the scan.
The peak load transfer path shows the distribution of pressure along the lengthof the part as well as indicates the path of the peak load. Under standard
conditions, it is expected for the peak load line to be the centerline of the part.
Looking at the pressure across the columns and rows shows the pressurization
down the length of the part and across the width of the part. In the caseillustrated above, there is a 40psi minimum requirement; and the graphs verify
that minimum pressure was achieved across and down the entire part.

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Advantages of Computerized Measurement
The computerized tool provides quantitative data that can be analyzed multiple ways. The pressure map can be
captured and played back in static and dynamic modes. Specific areas can be isolated and studied quantitatively.

Disadvantages of Computerized Measurement
There are different sensors for different load ranges. They can be overloaded and thus destroyed, or they can beoversized and thus not provide good resolution. The sensors can also be damaged with improper handling and may bedifficult to fit into low clearance areas. The cost of a computerized unit is not trivial and may add up quickly, dependingon what options are chosen.
Tekscan is a trademark of Tekscan, Inc.

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Contact Information
The information provided in this technical document is intended as a guide for this product. For more information or
help in selecting a 3M product for an application, please contact your 3M application engineering representative orconnect with a 3M expert.

Technical Information: The technical information, recommendations and other statements contained in this document are based upon tests orexperience that 3M believes are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Product Use: Many factors
beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particularapplication. Given the variety of factors that can affect the use and performance of a 3M product, user is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M
product and determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application. Warranty, Limited Remedy, andDisclaimer: Unless an additional warranty is specifically stated on the applicable 3M product packaging or product literature, 3M warrants thateach 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time 3M ships the product. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR
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OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING,
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replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price. Limitation of Liability: Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable forany loss or damage arising from the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory
asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.

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Phone 1-800-328-1684
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