My spray adhesive is broken

[JMB]

I have been using the popular method of covering my wood with blue painters take and then spraying the back of a paper pattern to affix to the tape.  I am having problems with the pattern coming loose, a lot, while I am cutting.  

I have tried spraying one side, spraying both sides, putting the pattern on when the adhesive is still very wet and allowing it to dry for a minute or so to get tacky.  I can't figure out any way to do it differently and the pattern is not fastened very securely using any of those ideas.

I am using Elmer's multi-purpose spray adhesive.  I have done some searches and haven't found any specific complaints so assume that is it as good as the other brands.

Any suggestions?  It is pretty frustrating.  The patterns loosens and I have to put glue from a glue stick under it and then let it dry.  Then I start again and another area pops up.  The pattern appears to be fastened and isn't coming loose until I start cutting.

Thanks for your help.

John Birrell

[hawkeye10]

John I have been having the same problem as you but not as bad. I have been using a peel and stick clear shelf paper instead of tape and like it way better. It is also cheaper in addition to being better. When this can of adhesive is empty I am going to try 3M adhesive.

https://grocery.walmart.com/product/3000332729

[tonylumps]

John spray both pattern and tape. Wait until the glue dries.if you touch it and glue transfers to your finger, still not dry.I have sprayed patterns and let dry overnight Weather also effects the glue.

[Iguanadon]

Not sure how humid it is where you are, but have you had this happen during the warmer months before?

[trackman]

I use 3M 77 glue sprayed on the blue tape. Using enough for the tape to look wet and than put pattern on right than. Also cover with clear tape. Works for me. 

[Iguanadon]

FYI - This is likely much cheaper than blue tape, depending on how big an area you usually cover and ease of use of course... then I spray the entire surface with 3M General Purpose 45 and apply my patterns.

https://jet.com/product/detail/860f37e484c34291bcce83bf4576aee6?jcmp=pla:ggl:JD_dur_Cwin_Home_Decor_a3:home_decor_kitchen_storage_other_a3:na:PLA_786096686_49640021988_pla-312879038529:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&pid=kenshoo_int&c=786096686&is_retargeting=true&clickid=11a5a43b-8b3c-4c6a-9729-1c855416b43f

When I went to get the link to it on Amazon I saw that they're no longer carrying it... so I guess I'll be trying out Jet.com in the near future.

 

[Doug]

I use blue painters tape, spray it with 3M Spray Adhesive 45 (they also have stickier grades up to 90) and let it rest for around 45 seconds and then lay the pattern on.  No spray on the pattern.  45 has always been strong enough for my purposes.  It is usually available at craft stores (Michaels - Hobby Lobby), Wal-Mart, Amazon, and probably a lot of other places.  Has worked for me for years.

 

[Sycamore67]

I have been using the blue tape and 3M77 with very good results.

[JMB]

Thanks for the prompt responses.  Isn't it interesting how something works for one and the same method doesn't work for another?  That's part of the frustration as I try to find what will work for me.

Sounds like 3M 77 may be a more reliable product than the Elmer's I have been using.

I have air conditioning in my shop so assume that humidity is not a problem.

I assume that the shelf paper replaces the blue tape and the pattern is then spray adhered to the shelf liner.  Is the benefit that the spray adhesive sticks better to the self liner than the blue tape?

[WayneMahler]

I use 3M super 77. I wait till it tacks up then apply the pattern to the tape. I seen a video before about using and old credit card to smooth out the pattern. I believe it was from Scrollsaw video with Karl.  I rarely have a pattern lift on me.  

[barb.j.enders]

I thought it was just me - I have a can of the Elmer's because I couldn't find the 3M stuff at the time - patterns keep "popping" up.  Also it seems to stick on it self and keeps spraying after I have taken my finger off the top.  I guess I should just chuck it and find some other glue:)

[Iguanadon]

1 minute ago, JMB said:

Thanks for the prompt responses.  Isn't it interesting how something works for one and the same method doesn't work for another?  That's part of the frustration as I try to find what will work for me.

Sounds like 3M 77 may be a more reliable product than the Elmer's I have been using.

I have air conditioning in my shop so assume that humidity is not a problem.

I assume that the shelf paper replaces the blue tape and the pattern is then spray adhered to the shelf liner.  Is the benefit that the spray adhesive sticks better to the self liner than the blue tape?

As to the shelf liner is just that it's cheaper. It works the same as the blue painters tape and adheres well to the wood, yet easy enough to peel off.

I go thru a lot of it as I prepare a 5' long board that is 11" wide and it's nice to just roll it out and stick it to the entire board.  Two or three boards a week.

Good luck.

[ike]

I use my spray adhesive on my patterns and use no blue tape. When cutting fretwork the blue tape is a big pain sometimes it takes about as long as cutting  removing the tape.Most sprays are good except the Elamers  I bought one and tried it 2 times then set it on the shelf and never tried it again. It is about the same price and     it musst be a bigger mark up for some places only cary that bran.

IKE

[JOE_M]

You could also check and see if you're still using the same tape - there are lots of blue things on the store shelves these days. The 3M tape has a solvent/water resistant back, the Talon brand is masking tape with a regular masking tape back.

[Scrappile]

I use the 3m 77, an occasionally I have lift up.  I started using a small squeegee to smooth the pattern starting in the center and working to the outsides.  My theory is it removes any air under the pattern, and the air is where it would lift up when sawing.  Well I think it is a pretty good theory, sounds good anyway.  Another thing I do is try to remember to clean of the wood real well before applying the pattern, any dust may cause the pattern to not stick as well as it should.

[kmmcrafts]

That elmers stuff sucks.. I had been using the 3M77 right along.. I ran out and the wife happen to be in town so I asked her to pick up a can.. well she couldn't find the 3M and said they have a elmers.. I'd read of others using the elmers stuff so i said get it.. I really have to soak the pattern down good and then let it get slightly tacky before it will work.. then it is still not always working..

I rarely use spray glues though as I hate the mess of the over spray etc.. I use full sheet shipping label paper when my patterns small enough to be printed on a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.. and since I sell online I need shipping labels so I also use them for that too.. I have a supplier on eBay where I buy 1000 sheets at a time.. very nice to just print-peel-and-stick... no sticky fingers trying to pick up the sprayed pattern etc etc.. Wish they made a 11 x 17 adhesive paper.. then I wouldn't have any use for those sprays..       

[kmmcrafts]

49 minutes ago, JMB said:

Thanks for the prompt responses.  Isn't it interesting how something works for one and the same method doesn't work for another?  That's part of the frustration as I try to find what will work for me.

Sounds like 3M 77 may be a more reliable product than the Elmer's I have been using.

I have air conditioning in my shop so assume that humidity is not a problem.

I assume that the shelf paper replaces the blue tape and the pattern is then spray adhered to the shelf liner.  Is the benefit that the spray adhesive sticks better to the self liner than the blue tape?

It's more so just easier to peel back off the wood once your done cutting.. The tape is typically 2" wide strips that when peeling off you end up picking at for 5-10 minutes to get it all off.. and having several little pieces sticking to your fingers and everything, LOL .. The shelf liner typically peels right off most times in one big piece.. Probably if you was real good and careful you could almost pick it off and put it on another board for another cut.. LOL  

[edward]

I been using the 3 M spray for years and never a problem, all I do is spray the back of the pattern and adhere to the bluue painters tape, works well for me.  edward

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, tonylumps said:

John spray both pattern and tape. Wait until the glue dries.if you touch it and glue transfers to your finger, still not dry.I have sprayed patterns and let dry overnight Weather also effects the glue.

I tried that with the Elmers spray and I just had a dry piece of paper about 15 minutes later.. maybe I could have wet it to be sticky again.. I don't know.. I ended up spraying it again.. It does work to let it get sticky but there seems to be a real fine line between it getting sticky and too wet or too dry.. needs to be sprayed very evenly otherwise you get it stuck good in some spots and not at all in other areas.. 

[Scrappile]

A mistake I made a while back was buying a can of a loctite spray adhesive.  When I go home and read the instruction, after I gave it a try, men don't read instruction before trying something and it doesn't work, it said to spray both surfaces... Now if I had read that in the store, I would not have bought it.   

[trackman]

I found out that by overlapping the blue tape by about 1/8" I can pull it off in bigger pieces. 

[Blaughn]

I have been using these full sheet pre-gummed labels over blue painter's tape and covered with clear packing tape. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HV9HU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

I am pleased with that combination.

[NC Scroller]

I have tried the Elmers product and DO NOT LIKE IT!!!!.  I have lift off every time I use it.  I swear by 3M Super77.  NEVER had an issue with the exception of a nozzle clogging.  That was fixed by removing the nozzle from the can and soaking in mineral sprits for 30 minutes.

I get my Super 77 at Home Depot or Lowes. The large size cans are under $10.00. DON'T be fooled.  Many place sell Super 77 for less but those are the smaller cans.  The ones I buy are the 16.75oz cans.

[kmmcrafts]

These are the ones I get.. He also does sell in smaller amounts.. but the larger bulk amounts have a better deal... plus then I only have to order about twice a year.. Some are stickier than others.. as far as sticking to my mail packages.. and lift off when attached to boxes or poly mailers.. I just cover with tape on each end... as for sticking to the blue tape, packing tape, or shelf liner and sawing.. have not had any issues whatsoever by themselves.. without covering with tape.. only had one order of them that wasn't sticking well to the packages.. all the others have been real sticky.. not sure if it was a different brand or a somewhat bad batch.. either way they worked great for patterns.. just no so great for mailing packages.. I've ordered these a couple times a year for the last 3-4 years.. only the one batch that wasn't real sticky..  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280984685548?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 

[JMB]

WOW!

23 responses in the first 8 hours.  And all helpful and thoughtful.  

It looks like the main problem is that I am using a product that has a brand name, and should be a quality product, but isn't.  I see many responses detailing problems with Elmer's and nobody saying that they like it.  I will quickly change to 3M and discard the Elmer's.  Easy enough. It is $3.99 a large can in our area and the 3M is about three times as much but if it works, it is well worth it.

If I still have some problems, there are several other good suggestions I can try.  So far, I have been happy with the rest of the system I use and if I can get the paper pattern to stick to the tape, I think I will be happy.