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A No-Damage Adhesive for Hanging Things on Walls and Securing Items During Travel
I talk about my favorite DIY helper, acrylic mounting tape, so often, that I thought I would do a whole blog post about all the different ways I've used it in my RV, including hanging things on RV walls with no damage and no holes in the walls, keeping things in place while the RV is moving, and sticking things just about anywhere I want to put them.
What is Acrylic Mounting Tape?
First, what it is: it's a clear, double-sided tape that is extremely sturdy yet can be removed easily and won't damage walls or whatever surface it was attached to or leave behind any residue.
You might be thinking some brand paid me to write this post, but nope–in fact, I've tried a few different brands of it, which I'll talk about at the end of the post.
It's thicker than normal tape, and it's a stretchy/rubbery/gummy material, kind of like the stuff used to stick a new credit card to a piece of paper for mailing. Its texture gives it some flexibility and helps it grab onto a surface.
And now for a few of the ways I've used it…
Hanging Things on RV Walls
First, here's a photo I hung on the wall with it. This is a 5″x7″ frame.
In this video, you can watch me take this picture down a year or two after I put it up:
Securing Items During Travel
One extremely useful use for acrylic mounting tape is for securing items while an RV is in motion, to keep things from rattling or falling and breaking.
Sticking Decorative Items to a Shelf
This was a good idea that almost wasn't a good idea:
I used a tension pole shower caddy to add extra space to set stuff in the corner of one of my slides, but I had to remove a section in order to make it fit under the cabinet, and that meant I had to put one of the shelves on the top part that isn't supposed to have a shelf on it.
First of all, I used acrylic tape to wrap around the pole in order to make it wide enough to fit the hole in the shelf. The problem was, as soon as I set a plant on the top shelf, the weight pulled down on the spring (duh, Ashley) and caused the caddy to fall over. One of these days, I will find a way to cut the extra section of pole I removed so that it's short enough to fit the space, but until then, this was my solution (along with only setting lightweight things on the top shelf)–a piece of acrylic tape to hold the end of the pole in place. So far it hasn't budged!
Securing Items Hanging on an RV Wall
Here is a ceramic planter I hung on a curved wall (with a screw), and I used a tiny piece of the clear tape at the bottom and on the back of the planter to keep it from rattling on the wall every time my washing machine hit the spin cycle. It hasn't budged since. Let's all ignore the fact that this planter doesn't have any plants in it. (Actually it does; you just can't see them because they are dead.)
Securing Over-Cabinet Organizers
At one point this over-cabinet basket slipped off the cabinet door while our RV was bumping down the road, so I stuck some acrylic mounting tape to the underside of the pads so it would stick to the cabinet door. It has stayed in place ever since, and the tape also keeps the metal from scratching the cabinet door where the foam pad doesn't provide enough cushioning.
Making “Walls” for My Shower Shelves
This next one is one of my favorite RV projects just because I spent such a long time trying to think of a solution and Googling a solution (without finding one) before finally coming up with an idea that I love.
If you have an RV shower with built in corner shelves, you probably know that anything left on the shelves while the RV is moving will fall off. I wanted to find a way to keep this from happening that would allow my shelves to be used and wouldn't require the shampoo to be used, so I made plexiglass “walls” for my shower shelves. These plexiglass panels are stuck firmly to my shower walls (even when wet!) with acrylic mounting tape.
Making Storm Windows for My RV
Another really successful project was making permanent plexiglass storm windows to cover the parts of my RV windows that don't open. I used acrylic tape around the edges and stuck the plexiglass to that. It's really hard (for me at least!) to take a picture of a clear glass window, but you can sort of see the plant's reflection on the plexiglass in this photo:
Here's another window project that's kind of silly but illustrates the ability of the tape to hold in any weather. We let our cat go outside by climbing out this window and down this board, and I wanted to cover the window with plastic for winter, but needed to still be able to open it and have a hole for my cat to climb out, so I attached clear vinyl to the outside of the window using the tape. I know the hole partly defeats the purpose, but at least it blocks some wind while the window is open and my cat is making up his mind about whether or not he wants to go out (after scratching at the window for the past five minutes).
Here's a closer look. I actually had my doubts about how well it would hold because it was below freezing the day I put it up and I had to warm the tape under my hands to get it to stick, but after it did stick, it stayed firmly stuck until spring when I removed it, even through sub-zero temperatures, rain, ice, and snow.
Making a Non-Permanent Cover for a Wall Sconce
For this wall lamp, I had actually planned to use Velcro to make removable covers, but the Velcro looked so bad, I ended up using acrylic tape instead, and it worked just how I wanted it to. I was able to remove the geometric patterned cover and replace it with the red and white one for Christmas, and the tape was still sticky enough to hold it on.
Adding No-Drill Shelves to RV Cabinets
For this project, I used acrylic tape to stick wood supports to the end of this cabinet to add a shelf and utilize the space at the top that had been wasted before. I have no doubts that the shelf will easily hold anything I would want to set on it.
Hanging Pot Lids
My most recent use for this tape was to use it to stick some metal tool hooks I got at Dollar Tree to the ceiling of one of my kitchen cabinets to hang pot lids from.
To help the tape stick, I warmed each hook in front of a space heater before pressing it in place, which made the tape a bit squishier.
I wasn't sure it would hold, but it's been about a week now and they're still up there. The temperature in that cabinet gets into the 50's, too. [Edit 3/22/18: Well this idea DIDN'T work – the hooks fell down! 😀 I'm planning on trying foam mounting tape instead but haven't gotten around to it yet. But, since doing the pot lid project, I've since used the tape SUCCESSFULLY for at least half a dozen other projects!]
Brands of Acrylic Mounting Tape I've Tried
So now that you can see why I love this stuff, let me tell you about some of the different brands I am aware of.
The first brand I ever tried was some no-name brand that is no longer available on Amazon, so too bad for them that I can't recommend them even though the product was good.
Next was Gorilla brand tape. I bought this brand at Lowe's one day when I ran out of my first roll and needed some right away. It worked just as well as the other brand, but costwise it isn't the best value compared to these next two brands.
This brand from Amazon seller AJ Sign World is the next one I tried, and I could see no difference from the brands I had previously tried. It comes in both a 1/2″ width and a 2″ width. The first roll I got was 1″ wide, and I found myself cutting it in half lengthwise a lot, so for me buying the 1/2″ width was a time saver. (I told you I use a lot of this tape, lol!)
Finally is XFasten, which is the best deal for the money that I've found so far. And if you look at the reviews for it on Amazon you can see photos where people tested it by using it to stick things like cast iron skillets and ceramic mugs and cans of stew to the wall. 😀
Almost done preaching! The last thing I will say is that even though I can't promise this tape will work for every situation, I do believe that even if you buy it for some reason and it ends up not working in that particular case, you will still be able to find plenty of other practical uses for it–at least that's what happened to me! 🙂
Video of Me Demonstrating Acrylic Mounting Tape
If “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then a video is worth a thousand pictures! Here's a video where I demonstrate what the acrylic tape actually looks like and feels like, and some of the ways I've used it in my RV:
Reader-Submitted Ideas for Acrylic Mounting Tape
One of my subscribers told me that after reading this article she has been finding uses for acrylic mounting tape all over her RV! She shared these photos with me of how she upcycled small bottles and used the tape to attach them to her bathroom cabinet doors for storing small items.
Ashley Mann lives in a 38-foot, 5th-wheel RV with her husband and their cat, Professor Theodore. She enjoys the challenge of finding the perfect way to organize a space, and she loves seeing all the creative and clever ways people come up with to customize their RVs.
Well, thank you for so many great ideas. I got some of the recommended tape and need some advice. First, how do you get the red backing off easily? And is there a good technique for getting the tape to evenly adhere to surfaces? I end up with tape stuck to my fingers and itself.
I always firmly press the tape onto the surface before pulling off the backing.
Hi there, I am intrigued…..I have been thinking about keeping my Keurig machine on my counter even when traveling. As of now I have been putting it in a cupboard every time. I had a thought of trying Velcro so that I could move it and clean under it, I don’t foresee having to do that often. Do you think the mounting tape would work?
I definitely think the acrylic mounting tape would hold it, as long as you don’t mind replacing the tape from time to time when you want to clean under it. For my own espresso machine I used bungee cords to secure it during travel, but that kind of depends on if you have anywhere to hook them to.
Where did you buy the plexiglass in the shower? I guess I don’t know where to look. I have 3 shelves in my rv, and no way to use them while traveling.
I bought the plexiglass at Lowe’s. You can have them cut it for you to the size you need.
Hi Ashley, I am new at RVing and just want to make sure that the Acrylic mounting tape will not hurt the wall paper on the walls. If you choose to remove the picture what is the best way to remove the tape?
Thank you for your patience.
Diane
Hi Diane, as long as you slowly peel the tape away it will come off cleanly without damaging the walls. If you have used a large amount, you may need to slip a butter knife or something flat behind the picture to slowly pry it away.
This is a great post. I’ve never tried this product but I’m going to order some right away.
We just bought a motorhome and I’ve been worried about screwing screws or putting nails in the walls.
Do you think this will work for putting curtain rods up? I want to remove the blinds in the Rv bedroom in order to install curtains to make it look my homey.
I’m thinking that I could also stick little plastic storage containers on the doors in the bathroom cupboards for small items like toothbrushes etc.
I really appreciate the post. My brain is full of ideas for my new to me motorhome.
Hi Jackie, I have actually used the acrylic mounting tape for both ideas you suggested. For sticking containers on doors to add storage, it works great! For the curtain rods I tried to hang using adhesive hooks reinforced with acrylic tape, they eventually came down, I think because the surface area was not enough compared with the weight of the curtains + rods + the pressure of having them constantly opened and closed. It might work for very small windows, such as those next to a bed in a slide-out. However it never hurts to try! Maybe you will come up with a better method! 🙂
I love acrylic tape! But… I can’t figure out how to remove items, without braking them, that I’ve hung with it. I made the mistake of cutting the tape to the exact length, I don’t have an exposed end to get a hold of. Prying with a butter knife has a tendency of breaking the plastic bins I’m wanting to move. Don’t ask me how I know😉🤦🏼♀️
Please help!
Hmm…I just go super slowly and gradually! Sorry I know that’s not very helpful…😬
I have used this tape and the original Alien Tape for several years. I have put up all kinds of pictures and decorations. I use small amounts on the bottoms of small decorations on my mantel, table, etc. It does not do well on fabrics. To remove, work slowly, wiggle it back and forth if necessary. I found the best for curtains is to use spring rods under the top valance in most campers. Would also advise against removing blinds as they do keep out a lot of heat and cold. My blinds are up, curtains on spring rods pushed up snug in front of blinds. Have some that have been up for several years. My old camper, we removed the side sections of valances but left top. Recovered the top and added drapes!
Thanks for these tips! 🙂
Does this do well in heat in an RV. Have used command hooks to hang pictures and they just keep falling down in the heat of summer.
Yes, the acrylic mounting tape works the same in all weather!
Hi! Thanks for the ideas. Will this stick to textured RV walls? I’m having a horrible time hanging my towel rack in the camper bathroom!
Yes it will stick, but I would not use it alone to hang a towel bar since that will be tugged on constantly. I would use screws + wall anchors, and you can reinforce with adhesive tape if the towel bar has a flat surface to stick the tape to. I wouldn’t worry about drilling in this case since a towel bar is the kind of thing a future owner of your RV would appreciate having.
Hello! Thanks for all your helpful info and inspiration to do with acrylic double-sided mounting tape. I’d LOVE to hang small framed photos inside my Cedar Creek 5th wheel, but am hesitant because my walls are covered with a heavy slightly rough wallpaper. Not sure of its composition but it is probably commonly found in RVs. Manufacturers of acrylic tapes say “DON’T USE ON PAINTED WALLS” and for good reason! The tape adheres permanently to the surface (in this case, paint) and you’d likely damage the paint upon removal. Wouldn’t the same logic apply to this wallpaper? Wouldn’t removal risk damage? I really would appreciate your advice, thanks so much!
It’s definitely always possible, but command strips would probably be the safest bet if you’re concerned about damaging the walls. We’ve used them in multiple RV walls and wallpapers and never had an issue with removal!