PKP Pad Fitment Instructions

Your PKP Pad is specced with 3M 9448A double-sided adhesive tape, and fitment to your board requires careful preparation and application, to ensure a strong, durable bond.

  • WARNING!

    Failure to follow the instructions below to the letter may result in inferior adhesion and/or the destruction of your pad on removal.


    PKP cannot be held responsible for the incorrect installation of your pad, nor any damages resulting from its removal, as it is entirely out of our control. 

  • Understanding your 3M 9448A Adhesive

    3M 9448A is a double-sided adhesive tape with a medium-firm acrylic adhesive on a tissue carrier, designed for bonding to various substrates, including metals, plastics, and foams. It offers high initial tack, excellent peel performance, and durability, with a thickness of 0.15 mm and a polycoated kraft (PCK) liner for easy handling. 

  • Items you will need


    1. Your PKP Pad

    2. A suitable Environment:

    • A clean, flat, sturdy work surface 
    • Free from any damp and/or humidity
    • An ambient temperature of between 22°C and 38°C (70°F and 100°F) 


    NB! Temperature greatly affects adhesive performance, particularly for acrylic-based tapes like 3M 9448A, which require proper conditions for optimal bonding. If the environment is suboptimal, the adhesive may not tack properly, which may require additional adhesives to be applied as remedy, per industry standards (see below)


    Use a hairdryer on a low setting during fitment to gently warm both the board and your PKP Pad, to ensure they are within the recommended temperature range and free from humidity. (Avoid overheating, as temperatures above 100°F (38°C) can soften the adhesive excessively, making it harder to handle.)


    3. Cleaning Supplies:

    • Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher, ideally 90%+ for better cleaning).
    • Two (2) Lint-free microfiber cloths

    4. Tools:

    • Roller - to apply immediate, even pressure.
    • Whiteboard Marker - for alignment
    • Painters Tape (wide, 50mm, white/yellow/blue paper tape)- for prolonged pressure.

    5. Optional:

    • Heat gun or hairdryer (for temperature and humidity adjustment).
    • Repair adhesives (To glue down edges if conditions are suboptimal)
    • We highly recommend a friend to assist (roller, hairdryer and alignment) 

  • Surface Preparation


    Proper surface preparation is absolutely critical for achieving a strong bond with 3M 9448A. 


    1. Inspect the Board Surface:

    Ensure the board surface is smooth and free of debris, scratches, or irregularities. 

    Optional: Consider light sanding (with fine-grit sandpaper, e.g., 600-grit) to improve adhesion, then wipe clean with a dry cloth. 


    2. Clean the Board Surface:

    1. To remove dust, dirt, grease, or oils from the board’s exposed surface, liberally apply pure isopropyl alcohol to your first cloth. 
    2. Wipe down board, ensuring absolutely no residue remains (e.g., fingerprints, oils, or cleaning streaks).
    3. Allow 1–2 minutes for any residual alcohol to evaporate.
    4. Take your second, dry, lint-free cloth, and dry the surface completely. 


    3. Prep your PKP Pad:

    1. Place your PKP pad face down, with the 3M backing facing up, on a flat, clean, sturdy surface (not your board)
    2. Take your roller, and gently apply pressure all over the pad, ensuring firm adhesion of the tape, via the backing on the pad. Take care to gently roll the edges also. 
    3. Wipe your pad clean on both sides.

  • Application Instructions


    1. Position the PKP Pad – keeping the White backing ON:

    1. Place your board on a flat sturdy surface, nose pointing forward - lets call it ‘UP’. 
    2. Align the pad on your board to establish its correct, final position. 
    3. Take a whiteboard marker and mark the top (UP) center, (DOWN) center and sides.
    4. Make sure that your board is still clean when removing pad off it.  


    2. Apply the pad

    1. NB! Do NOT touch the adhesive at any time (to prevent contamination.)
    2. Flip your pad around on the board (white backing now facing up) and peel back a small portion of white backing, roughly 5cm (1 Inch) of the top (UP) part closest to the nose of your board, to expose the adhesive underneath.
    3. Flip the pad around again, and align it carefully with your marks on the board’s surface, starting at the top (UP) edge. 
    4. Attach and press the exposed adhesive – aligned with your marks - lightly to tack it in place, from the upper middle section, outwards, ensuring no wrinkles or air bubbles form. 
    5. Using a roller, in one hand, gently press the now attached pad firmly on to the board. With your other arm underneath the pad, grab hold of the peeled backing with your fingers.
    6. Gradually remove the rest of the liner with your fingers, while pressing the tape onto the board with your other arm, smoothing it with a roller as you go, to ensure full contact. Take it slow as you need your alignment with your side and bottom marks to be correct.  


    A friend on-hand to apply pressure with the roller whilst also applying heat with a hairdryer is highly beneficial to your progress and ultimate success.


    3. Apply Continued Pressure:

    1. One your pad is attached to your board, continue use a roller to apply firm, even pressure across the entire tape surface, always from the inside to outer edges. Applying a little heat from the hairdryer to the edges is beneficial, as this ensures maximum adhesive contact.
    2. Gently tape pad edges down, all around, to ensure continued pressure for at least 20 minutes. You can also, in addition to the edges, place a heavy, flat object on the board or use clamps, ensuring not to damage the kneeboard pad.


    4. Curing Time:

    1. The adhesive reaches full bond strength after 24–72 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. Avoid stressing the bond or using your board for at least 48 hours. 
    2. NB! Please ensure the bond is protected from moisture during curing, for at least 24 hours, as 3M 9448A is not highly moisture-resistant immediately after application.

  • Troubleshooting Adhesion Issues

    If the 3M 9448A tape doesn’t stick properly, consider the following causes and solutions:


    1. Poor Surface Preparation:
    • Issue: Residual oils, dust, or moisture on the board or target surface can prevent adhesion.
    • Solution: Re-clean both surfaces thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol, ensuring they are completely dry. If the tape has already been applied, remove it carefully, clean the surface again, and apply new tape.


    1. Incorrect Temperature:
    • Issue: Applying the tape in cold conditions (below 20°C) reduces tackiness.
    • Solution: Warm the surfaces to at least 70–100°F (21–38°C) using a heat gun or hairdryer on low. Reapply the tape and ensure the environment remains within this range during curing.


    1. Insufficient Pressure:
    • Issue: Inadequate pressure during application can result in weak bonding.
    • Solution: Reapply firm, even pressure with a roller or flat tool for at least 20 seconds per area. If possible, clamp or weigh down the board for 20 minutes.


    1. Tape Contamination or Damage:
    • Issue: Touching the adhesive or using old/damaged tape can reduce effectiveness.
    • Solution: Discard the tape and use a fresh piece. Handle only the liner to avoid contaminating the adhesive.


    1. Moisture Exposure:
    • Issue: 3M 9448A is not highly moisture-resistant, especially in the first 24 hours - before and after application. 
    • Solution: Ensure the environment is dry 24hrs before, during application and curing. If moisture exposure is unavoidable, consider a moisture-resistant alternative adhesive (see below).

  • Emergency Repair Adhesives

    For any pad-to-board adhesion issues, and repairs over time, consider the following adhesives from 3M, Loctite, Gorilla, SIKA, Araldite, Bostik, Permabond, etc. 


    1. Epoxy Adhesives: Two-part epoxies provide strong, durable bonds with excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, and moisture. 
    2. Cyanoacrylate (Superglue): Fast-bonding for small, lightweight components. Best for non-porous surfaces but less effective in high-moisture or high-vibration environments.
    3. Polyurethane Adhesives: Flexible and moisture-resistant, suitable for bonding to foam, wood, or plastics. Good for outdoor or humid conditions.


    NB!

    • Test First on a small, non-critical area of the board or a similar material to confirm adhesion.
    • Avoid Overloading. Do not apply excessive adhesive, as this can reduce bond strength or create mess. 
    • Check Compatibility: Ensure the adhesive won’t damage the PKP kneeboard pad or your board (e.g., avoid solvent-based adhesives that could degrade foam).

  • 3M Datasheet

    For further details on 3M 9448A, refer to the technical data sheet below.

3M Datasheet