Surface Preparation Guidelines for PSA Tapes
A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) performs only as well as the surface it’s applied to. Correct surface preparation ensures reliable bonding, longer lifespan, and consistent results across different materials.
This guide explains how to prepare various substrates using physical and chemical methods so you can achieve the strongest possible adhesion.

Glass Fabric
Remove dust or loose fibers with air or a soft brush. Avoid flame or abrasion. Apply a thin resin or varnish to seal the weave before bonding. Sealing the surface creates a smoother layer for better contact. A conformable adhesive is ideal for textured fabrics.

Mica Sheets
Wipe gently with alcohol and use a silane-based primer. BNS Pi050Si provides excellent adhesion and electrical insulation on mica surfaces. Apply a silane primer or clear adhesion promoter to stabilize the top layer. Mica bonds well once clean and dry. Priming helps bind micro-flakes and improves moisture resistance.

Aramid Paper (Nomex®)
Remove lint or dust. Plasma or corona treatment can activate the surface.. Apply BNS Pi050Si or BNS 050PST for high-temperature lamination. Apply a thin resin coat or primer for plastics. Aramid surfaces are chemically inert—surface activation or priming helps adhesives bond better.

Paper & Cardboard
Keep surfaces dry and dust-free. Seal porous areas with varnish before applying BNSDST or BNSDSTLam, both engineered for flexible mounting. Optionally seal porous paper with a thin coat of varnish or PVA. Paper bonds easily due to its natural porosity but can tear when removed. Use sealing for added strength.

Painted Surfaces
Clean with IPA, ensure full paint curing, and lightly scuff glossy areas. Use BNSDST or BNSDSTLam for mounting and BNS 050PST where heat and clarity are required. For powder-coated or enamel finishes, primers improve consistency. Apply an adhesion promoter (e.g. Primer 94 or Adhesion Promoter 111). Powder-coated and glossy paints are low-energy surfaces. Scuffing and priming improve results. Ensure paint adhesion is sound before taping.

Non-Wovens and Composites
Gently clean to remove loose fibers. Avoid heat or aggressive wiping before applying BNSDST or BNSDSTLam. These acrylic-based systems provide uniform adhesion on porous textures. Apply a light sealing coat or spray adhesive, followed by a primer for LSE fibers. Non-wovens are porous sealing prevents adhesive soak-in and ensures better surface contact.

Glass
Clean with a 50:50 IPA-water mix to remove oils. Avoid aggressive abrasion., remove dust and seal the weave before applying BNS.PGC or BNS 461, which offer strong grip on sealed or coated surfaces. Apply a silane-based adhesion promoter for maximum durability. Glass bonds strongly with PSAs when clean and dry. Silane improves resistance to humidity.

PTFE (Teflon
Standard cleaning won’t suffice. Standard abrasion or flame treatment is ineffective. Avoid overheating. Our BNSPTFE Film Tape and BNS Pi050Si are optimized for PTFE and similar low-energy substrates. Use a sodium etching process to modify the surface. Bond immediately after treatment. PTFE is non-stick by nature. Chemical etching is the only effective long-term preparation method.

Polyolefins (PE, PP)
Increase surface energy using flame, corona, or plasma treatment. Light abrasion can help remove mold-release agents. Apply a low-surface-energy primer before bonding with BNSDSTLam or BNS 050PST, which use acrylic and silicone systems suited for treated plastics. Polyolefins are very hard to bond without treatment. Surface activation or primer is essential for durable adhesion.

Steel (Carbon/Alloy)
Remove rust and mill scale using wire brushing or fine grit. Keep the surface dry after cleaning., BNS 461 is an excellent choice with strong adhesion and clean removal. Degrease with IPA or acetone; use an anti-corrosion primer if required. Clean steel bonds extremely well but can rust quickly if moisture reaches the adhesive interface. Protect exposed edges where possible.

Aluminium
Remove white corrosion and oxide dust; wipe with IPA or acetone. BNS.PGC and BNS 461 adhere strongly to clean aluminium for high-temperature insulation and banding. Wipe with IPA or acetone to remove oils. Primer optional but helpful for high-humidity or coated surfaces. Aluminium naturally forms a stable oxide layer with good surface energy; cleanliness is critical. Handle with gloves after cleaning.

Copper & Enamelled Copper
Avoid heavy abrasion; a gentle scuff or plasma treatment can help if the surface is too glossy. Our Efreind Copper Foil Tape offers conductive adhesive suitable for grounding, EMI/RFI shielding, and PCB work. Clean with IPA and, if needed, apply an adhesion promoter for painted/plastic surfaces. Copper bonds well but oxidizes quickly, which can weaken adhesion. Always bond soon after cleaning. Treat like a coated polymer cleanliness and primer are key. Never sand through the enamel layer.

Stainless Steel
Clean thoroughly to remove oils and dust. For highly polished surfaces, a light scuff with fine abrasive improves surface grip. Degrease using isopropanol (IPA) and dry completely. Primer is optional. Stainless steel has high surface energy, so clean, dry conditions are usually enough. Avoid oily residue or abrasive grit.


