Adhesive mounts (APTM-19, APTM-25) are handy parts: no drilling, just peel off the liner and stick. Yet the same mount can stay put for a long time in one place and come off within days in another. The difference usually lies not in the mount but in the surface and how it was applied. This guide covers surface preparation, the order of application and when to switch to a screw-fixed mount.
Common reasons adhesive mounts come off
- Contaminated surface Dust, oil, fingerprints and moisture form a film between pad and surface and reduce the area that actually bonds.
- Rough or curved surface If the pad cannot follow bumps or curves, it lifts from the edges.
- Hard-to-bond materials Slippery plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and silicone, and flaking paint, bond poorly.
- Not pressed enough Simply setting the mount down does not bring the pad into full contact.
- Load right after applying Hanging a heavy bundle or pulling the tie hard straight away lifts the mount before it settles.
- Temperature and humidity Cold or wet surfaces, equipment that gets hot and places with condensation all weaken the bond.
Before applying: preparing the surface
Surface preparation is the most important step with an adhesive mount. Brush off dust with a dry cloth; if there is grease, wipe with a cleaner that leaves no residue (for example an alcohol-based cleaner) and wait until it is completely dry. Applying while the cleaner is still wet actually hinders the bond. Do not touch the cleaned area with your fingers again.
- Choose a flat, smooth spot, flat enough for the whole base of the mount to touch.
- Avoid rough concrete, wood grain, curved pipes and flaking paint.
- If the surface is cold or wet, wait until it is dry and at room temperature.
- On an unfamiliar material, try one or two mounts first and check how well they hold before applying the rest.
How to apply
- 1. Mark the spot Plan the mount positions along the route and mark them first. Sticking and peeling repeatedly damages the pad.
- 2. Peel the liner Remove the liner just before applying and keep your fingers off the pad.
- 3. Press firmly Line the mount up and press firmly and evenly by hand for a few seconds so the whole pad makes contact.
- 4. Allow time If possible, leave it for a while before threading the tie. The bond settles over time after application.
- 5. Tighten Tighten the tie just enough that the bundle cannot move, and do not pull hard in a direction that lifts the mount.
Choosing size and spacing
| Part no. | W × L × H (mm) | Max. tie width | ALLPUM AP examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| APTM-19 | 19 × 19 × 5.4 | 3.6mm | AP100 · AP140 |
| APTM-25 | 25 × 25 × 5.4 | 4.8mm | AP100 · AP140 · AP200 · AP300 |
A mount with a larger base has a larger pad and spreads the load. If the tie you plan to use fits both sizes and there is room, APTM-25 gives more margin. Rather than putting a lot of weight on one mount, space them closer so several share the load, and add one at bends and just before the wiring enters equipment.
When to use a screw-fixed mount instead
- Next to vibrating machinery or on moving equipment
- Thick, heavy bundles and ceiling or vertical runs with a large downward pull
- Equipment surfaces that get hot, and places exposed to sun, rain or condensation
- Installations where a falling bundle would be a hazard, or that will be left alone for a long time
In these places a screw-fixed tie mount (APTM-2S, APTM-3S), which depends far less on the surface, is the better choice. The differences between the two types and how to choose are covered in the mount selection guide.
Can a fallen mount be stuck back on?
A pad that has come off or been peeled away picks up dust and debris and will not hold as it did the first time. To use the same spot again, clean off the leftover adhesive, prepare the surface again and use a new mount. If mounts keep falling off in the same place, that spot does not suit adhesive mounting and a screw mount is the better option.
Packaging
Bulk packs of both APTM-19 and APTM-25 hold 1,000 pieces per bag. For small jobs and retail there are 25-piece and 100-piece bags, packed 20 bags to a box.
