Replies: Sticky back Velcro on Copolymer

Jeremiah Uronis

Description

Title:

Replies: Sticky back Velcro on Copolymer

Creator:

Jeremiah Uronis

Date:

5/12/2022

Text:

Thanks to everyone that replied. I tried to capture all of them for those that asked me to post responses. Thanks again!

1. Add a speedy river to the far end.

2. Gentle scratch the copoly surface with some fine sand paper. Apply polyadhesive to the prepared surface and allow to dry completely. Precut your sticky back Velcro to size. Remove the plastic film from the adhesive and gently heat with a low temp heat gun until the adhesive looks glossy and wet. Apply the Velcro to the polyadhesive area and press/hold into place until cool.

3. Purchase the adhesive back velcro. Clean the surface with alcohol. You can warm up the adhesive back with a heat gun and apply velcro. Remove the last 3 rows of hook with a rasor blade or by heat an awl really hot and melting them. This will ensure that when the strap is removed from the velcro the forces aren't pulling the adhesive back velcro from the edge where it is stuck to the plastic. This has worked for me.

4. Try zapping the adhesive side with a heat gun just before applying, you will get a stronger bond

5. 3m makes a primer to prep the surface. That’s the only good solution.

6. I like to use the adhesive buttons they work for quick jobs and you can buy on sps in a roll. They have quite a bit Goodluck

7. After I peel off the protective layer, I hit it with a heat just until it starts to bubble (it should be too hot to handle). Sometimes, after sticking it on the AFO, I'll place a protective layer over the velcro (if it is hook, not loop), place it on the anvil and pound it with a hammer to ensure adhesion. Seems to hold better this way. This would be on polypro, I don't use co-poly. I have been known to use a couple of tiny speedy rivets on the corners of the leading edge to prevent it from separating when the mating velcro is lifted for doffing.

8. I have typically rounded the corners a little and placed tiny speedy rivets in the corners.

9. Try spreading a little Super Glue type adhesive on the area first and apply your Velcro after The super glue has dried. You can even scuff up the Super glue very gently. Good luck.

10. heat it before you stick it. you could also rivet it on.

11. Use the pile side on the Brace and make it longer than necessary so the edge isn't pulled on during doffing. Sometime I wrap it all the way to the back if it is a calf strap or under the foot plate.
Scuff the plastic on the grinder and heat the adhesive before applying the velcro to the brace.

It will not last forever but it should last longer.


12. Two great ways. Actually 3
For regular sticky Velcro you can add a speedy rivet to the 2 ends. Also I’ve added super glue to the sticky Velcro. Just a tiny tiny bead down the middle full length. Or just a drop on both ends.
Then there’s the plastic clear Velcro. That seems to be the best on rigid surfaces like copoly or polypro or even laminates. Make sure it’s exactly where you want it because it’s a bear to get off.

13. I always put one small rivet in the end that is always pulled off - never have any problems after that!

14. Heat the surface and the glue slightly before applying to greatly enhance the adhesiveness. Use small speed rivets in the corners of the Velcro if necessary.

15. I've found lightly roughing up the area and gently heating the Velcro adhesive has helped.

16. There are a couple of things that can help the velcro hold on longer. One is to cut the corners, which tends to be where the velcro starts coming loose. I also sometimes take a hot wire and singe the hook at the edges for the same reason. I have also cleaned the plastic with acetone to get a better stick. I have some patients that I just use regular velcro and attach it with Masters glue rather than the sticky back. I don't get good results with the 'clear' velcro with the viscous glue on it. It tends to peel off and leave a real mess

17. I've had similar issues with the velcro pulling off. I do not have a brand preference. Couple things I do are
Rivet the ends of the velcro but I know that's not always an option
Extend the velcro by at least a couple of inches from where the layover meets it so when it is removed, the force isn't pulling at the edge of the sticky velcro, causing it to peel away. This usually gives me a few more months out of it.
When applying the sticky back, I heat with a heat gun a few seconds and press firmly and hold a few seconds for a good seal.

18. Try the plastic hook or loop, it seems to hold better on plastics

19. I rough up the plastic with sandpaper to give it some texture first. Seems to help.

20. Use poly adhesive (fillaure)
Trim the hooks of the ends so they don’t lift the ends.

21. I have found self adhesive Velcro brand the most reliable to stick. It seems to hold best when the adhesive side it heated - a micro torch or a heat gun. One can add some poly adhesive to the plastic after roughing the surface a little. I leave the velcro piece about 5-10mm long and sometime narrowed, then when it is in the correct location I burn or grind away the hook or Pyle so when the velcro is stressed - getting the strap pulled off - the edge of the self adhesive is not pulled on.

22. Clean the surface with acetone before applying the velcro and round the corners of the velcro (before you peel it off).

23. This is quite common for me as well. I typically scuff up the plastic and heat up the adhesive on the sticky back velcro before applying. Also, I will add a rivet at the end of they velcro where it pull be pulled from because that is typically where it lifts first when people try to grasp at the strap tail.

                          

Citation

Jeremiah Uronis, “Replies: Sticky back Velcro on Copolymer,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed April 29, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/255920.