Securing bathtub side panel with Velcro tapes

[Rmk9785e]

I'm having difficulty securing the fiberglass side panel for our bathtub. As you can see from the photos, it was supposed to stay using Velcro tapes but it does not stick well and often falls off. It is possible that the middle segment does not even engage because of the flexibility to the tub side walls.
Are there better quality Velcro strips or strong magnets that will work better in this situation?

 

[Jadnashua]

Is it the adhesive that holds the Velcro (note, Velcro is a brand name, any the stuff you have many not be Velcro!), or are they staying on, and the panel just comes off?

There are lots of different types of hook and loop fasteners, some are quite a bit stronger than others. So, maybe this industrial strength extreme might be worth a try https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-...-Strength-Extreme-Strip-Black-91839/205185812 or this stuff https://www.amazon.com/3M-Reclosabl...597712770&sprefix=heavy+duty+,aps,175&sr=8-25

 

[Sponsor]

 

[WorthFlorida]

It looks as though the hook and loop are not grabbing each other. Also the panel side tabs doesn't seem to line up the tub side. Either side of the Velcro can have debris attached to it or over time the hook and loop parts start to fail from maybe too many removals. They can wear out.

I would remove all pieces and throughly clean the surfaces. With new Velcro type material that you can buy by the roll, with both sides of the Velcro material attached, place them on the panel or tub side. Allow them to set up for a few hours then place the panel into position and push firmly at the Velcro locations. Do not pull apart, let the adhesive several hours to cure. Do go what Jadnashua recommendations.

 

[Rmk9785e]

Is it the adhesive that holds the Velcro (note, Velcro is a brand name, any the stuff you have many not be Velcro!), or are they staying on, and the panel just comes off?

It is not the adhesive but the Velcro strips do not have the same holding power they had for the first 18 years since the house was built.

There are lots of different types of hook and loop fasteners, some are quite a bit stronger than others. So, maybe this industrial strength extreme might be worth a try https://www.homedepot.com/p/VELCRO-...-Strength-Extreme-Strip-Black-91839/205185812 or this stuff

The Home Depot Velcro referenced hold 12 lbs. There's no spec on how much weight the Amazon 3M fastener will hold. Which of these 2 will hold better? The installed strips have loops on both pieces but the new ones have loops on one and felt like surface on the other. I'm looking for the strongest bond that can hold the weight of the panel so it does not keep falling off.

 

[Jadnashua]

The fabric ones will wear out faster. The plastic ones should last longer. If things aren't straight or the panel doesn't fit well, unless the two pieces of the fastener can come into good, intimate contact, it will not have full holding power. The plastic ones will require a definite push to engage, the fabric ones do not, so it should be more evident when they're mated with the plastic ones. The panel probably is not literally supported by those fasteners, only held from falling over, as the bottom edge is probably sitting on the floor, so has no constant weight on it. If the panel is bowed, the plastic ones snap together, and if you don't exceed that pull, should stay. The fabric ones, over time and thermal and vibration could slowly let loose.

Not sure, but most people rarely remove that panel where they'd wear out over time.

 

[Rmk9785e]

I'll try to look for ones that have plastic looping surfaces for both pieces like the ones used securing for EZ-Pass devices.
The panel bottom edge is sitting on a slippery surface and therefore doesn't hold. We never intentionally removed it but it started falling off. Cheap design.

 

[LLigetfa]

I would replace the velcro with neodymium magnets. They are very strong so start with just a few and test before adding more.