3M™ Safety-Walk™ Slip Resistant Tapes and Treads FAQ
General Information
Why are Safety-Walk slip-resistant tapes and treads sold by so many different 3M divisions?
Safety-Walk tapes and treads are used in a wide variety of applications, in many different markets. Therefore, different divisions of 3M Company are used to make this product line available, to the many different markets (Aerospace to Building Maintenance for example).
Who do I contact for help with custom Safety-Walk applications?
For custom sizes and shapes, call 3M Converter Markets at 1-800-328-1681.
Product Installation
What can I do to make sure I apply the Safety-Walk products correctly?
There are four important areas to always remember when applying Safety-Walk products:
- Make sure the substrate surface is clean, dry and smooth.
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Minimum application temperature (of the substrate) in order to successfully bond the pressure sensitive adhesive in 3M™ Safety-Walk™ Slip-Resistant Tapes and Treads:
- Medium Resilient - 40°F (4°C)
- General Purpose - 40°F (4°C)
- Conformable - 40°F (4°C)
- Fine Resilient - 50°F (10°C)
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After removing the liner from the pressure sensitive adhesive side of the tape or tread, minimize 'touching' the adhesive surface during application so that oils and soil from the hands do not contaminate the adhesive prior to bonding.
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Finally, make sure all the surface of the Safety-Walk product is ' pressed or rolled firmly ' during applications to provide optimum contact and bonding.
Product Removal
How do I remove Safety-Walk products if I want to change or replace a damaged piece?
Safety-Walk products are not easily removed once bonded. The adhesives used in Safety-Walk products are durable and strong. Suggested removal procedure:
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Using a 'putty knife' or similar tool, insert under the edge of the tape or tread, and pry upwards to lift edge. Continue around all edges of the tape or tread. Use a 'pliers' or similar tool to grasp the open edge and pull (at a 180 degree angle) back over the tape or tread.
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Use 3M™ Citrus Base Industrial Cleaner chemical to soften any adhesive which may remain on the substrate. Clean residue off, rinse, dry and reapply new Safety-Walk tape or tread.
Product Specifications
If I need more specific product information on each Safety-Walk product where do I look for it?
3M™ Safety-Walk™ Slip-Resistant Tapes and Treads Technical Data Sheet (pdf, 128k) provides in depth information on Products, Direction for Use, Product Selection, Surface Preparation,Typical Properties and Chemical Resistance.
What is MIL- D-17951E(Ships) as referred to in the Safety-Walk technical data sheet?
Mil-D-17951E(ships) is a current US Navy Military Specification covering Safety-Walk product conformance to specific physical properties and their applications for the armed forces.
Why are some of the older military or government specifications (MIL-W 5044C or GSA CID A-A-59124) not listed anymore?
The Department of the Air Force, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, canceled these specifications under project number 6510-0839. As part of a government reduction in paperwork policy, therefore , these specifications no longer exist or any reference made to them.
