Best Sticky Stuff for Your Dashboard

Frunk on 19/06/2023 - 12:01

Hi forum,

Looking for suggestions on some kind of sticky substance to re-stick my magnetic phone mount onto my dashboard.

The holder came with an unspecified 3M branded adhesive pad which seemed to be a few millimeters thick when I took it off. It held AWESOME, but when I removed the holder to place it in a different spot, I couldn’t take it off in one piece (hence it stuck so well).

The mount I use is from Autobarn. An Aerpro Magmate Pro Dash Mount Magnetic Holder (APMPDM1). Only like $25. Works well. Worst case I’ll buy another one or at least go back to Autobarn and see if I can have a look in the box at the adhesive pad so I can buy one similar.

This is my dash. I want to stick the holder where the rudimentary circle is. It’s a smooth plastic surface. The holder previously held on the same material in the middle of the dash (left of the vent wheel shown in the pic).

https://i.imgur.io/B4zc57C_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&f…

Regular double sided tape failed after a day or so. Epoxy was a bad idea and a bad mess. Haven’t tried much else yet, including not yet stronger double sided tapes - ones available at Bunnings have mixed reviews. Hence this post here. It’s a bit of a weird topic to search on as I didn’t mind many similar requests.

Happy for any suggestions you have.

Automotive

Comments

  • USER DC on 19/06/2023 - 12:07
    +4

    3M tape is best sticky stuff

  • bdl on 19/06/2023 - 12:09
    +2

    What colour was the original 3M stuff?

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 02:07

      It was a dark blue, almost-black colour.

      • bdl on 22/06/2023 - 15:49
        +1

        The 3M VHB tape should be a like for like replacement (as someone already noted below)

  • donga100 on 19/06/2023 - 12:18
    +1

    You can buy replacement 3M pads on ebay for cheap.

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 02:07

      Yeah, just not sure if all are equal in strength.

      • donga100 on 20/06/2023 - 16:11
        +1

        I bought one for my dashcam and it's perfect so far after 6 months. Pretty sure it was just the cheapest listing.

  • seannami on 19/06/2023 - 12:27
    +2

    Maybe command strips (the heavy duty/wet area ones), that way they are also generally removable when you need too

    • rumblytangara on 19/06/2023 - 16:50
      -1

      I've found that Command strips still leave a residue if left in place for years.

      VHB tape is great stuff, but there are loads of different specs and I'm not sure what the differences are. Very permanent though.

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 02:12

      To be honest, I don't even care if it leaves a mark. I just hate when I get in my car of a morning and my mount has fallen down (as used to regularly happen with suction-cup mounts). If it's strong and basically permanent I'll be happy. :P

  • Protractor on 19/06/2023 - 12:35

    Get velcro dots. Put either type on the surfaces you want to bond. You need (must) to clean both surfaces with a good solvent that does not attack the surfaces, (alcohol?) but cleans leaving no residue. Use one rag to wipe the fluid on, another to wipe off. Change to new rags each clean, and do that part a few times.If you get the dots with the strongest glue factor they should do the job. You do NOT want really clingy velcro component because that will just pull the dots of the first time you pull the items apart. Realistically you really only need to 'couple' the 2 velcros together each time, not press like crazy.

    You can get super HD dbl sided tape.(Bunnings etc) I tried some and it never lived up to the hype / claims. (stuck to pristine super cleaned ceramic tiles) Plonk! in a very short time.

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 02:15

      The issue I anticipate with velcro is that my phone (iPhone 12 Pro Max) is pretty heavy and the velcro will pull apart over bumps.

      This magnetic one has been great as the phone has the magnet built in - I cut a hole the size of the mount in my case so that the magnets don't slide with bumps/gravity.

      • Protractor on 20/06/2023 - 10:08

        Gotcha. Maybe you could trial the phone /velcro on another (no car) surface to test it's grunt?

    • bdl on 22/06/2023 - 15:47

      The velcro adhesive would go soft in sun

      • Protractor on 22/06/2023 - 15:59

        There are different grades than can handle 'some' exposure to extreme conditions. I would not recommend it exposed all day every day to direct sunlight/heat. But I have had bits and pieces held this way inside a ute on and around the dash for years. Mind you, nothing full time or too heavy

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 19/06/2023 - 13:21

    could be a stupid suggestion, but have you considered a vent/ window mount instead?

    if you are set on gluing it down, i have had many contractors talk about how good t-rex is for gluing stuff down/in. Surprisingly, NOT available at bunnings…

    • Protractor on 19/06/2023 - 13:56

      Looks like a play on Sikaflex products to me. Likely that Bunnings would carry it,if it is.

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 02:09

      I've used both window and vent mounts previously. Window mounts always eventually fell off or were intrusive, and vent mounts, well, blocked the air too much. :P

      I'll take a look at T-Rex, cheers.

  • sumyungguy on 19/06/2023 - 13:59
    +2

    It's likely to be 3M™ VHB™, an industrial-grade product but you can find various sizes in small quantities on eBay and Temu. It's not sold at Bunnings and please don't use Command which is designed to be removed and is therefore inadequate for the high temperature inside a car.

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 02:16

      Heat is definitely an issue - I've had glues used for holding dash cam cables in the past melt, so I'll definitely steer clear of Command, thanks.

      VHB is a great lead - as mentioned I've not found the subject easy to research, so thanks a lot - I'll search for those. :)

    • Frunk on 20/06/2023 - 23:14

      Finally sat down and had a look on Amazon. Here's a pic on one of the 3M VHB listings.

      https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xtRB+WhBL.SX522.jpg

      That dark substance is what I peeled off my dash, so this is definitely what I'm after. Thanks heaps!

  • coxjon on 19/06/2023 - 14:49
    +1

    Don’t forget to let the new sticky pad glue without your phone for a day. I was having huge trouble with my dashcam when I moved it until I left the mount gluing for a day without the weight of the camera

  • capslock janitor on 19/06/2023 - 20:49

    whabbout those jelyl glue things ?

  • Sinnerator on 20/06/2023 - 08:33

    epoxy resin

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