The Best Magnetic Tape

Buying Guide

Magnetic tape is an amazing product that acts as a flexible roll of tape but is actually a magnetic material that holds nicely to metals. There is usually an adhesive on one side that allows you to stick the tape to an item which will then allow you to stick that item to something like your refrigerator.

A strip of magnetic tape stuck to the wall above your workbench can allow you to keep your small hand tools hanging there in an easy-to-grab location. Similarly, you might mount your magnetic tape on a kitchen wall to hold knives or other lightweight kitchen tools.

If you adhere your magnetic tape directly to an object though, it makes the object more or less magnetic and this object can now be placed on your fridge or perhaps a metallic whiteboard like you would find in a classroom. This use of magnetic tape is split between something functional like hanging a box of facial tissue somewhere handy or it is used as a way to hang arts and crafts in a place you would like to see them, like the refrigerator.

In order for something to hold firmly to magnetic tape, it’s important to get as much surface-are of the metal directly onto the magnet. The broadside of a kitchen knife might be completely flush to the magnetic strip and therefore it will be firmly held in place, but an oddly-shaped item like a pair of can-openers might not have a large and smooth area to adhere to the magnet. In this case, the can-opener might not be a good candidate for mounting on your magnetic kitchen strip.

Magnetic tape comes in various thicknesses, widths and lengths to the point where you can generally find one that is ideally sized for your needs. The magnetism is affected by the size of the tape and you will have a less-strong magnet if it is only 1/2-inch wide compared to one that is 1-inch wide.

For the strongest magnet, use the thickest and widest version you can find that fits within your criteria. If you are simply mounting a lightweight piece of art or a craft you made, you can likely get away with a smaller and cheaper magnetic tape that will be easier to work with.

While it might be a good idea to buy it in bulk and have a handy roll of magnetic tape around for years on end, you might find that the adhesive won’t always last that long and still perform as good as if it were new. You can always add some additional tape or adhesive if this does end up happening and you would still find a satisfactory result.

• Cut all of your strips of magnetic tape to size before you peel off the protective part that covers the adhesive.
• Clean the surface that you intend on sticking the magnetic tape thoroughly to remove any oils or dirt. Let the surface dry after you clean it and you will have the best results for getting the adhesive to be effective.
• Reinforce your magnet if you are mounting it permanently in a workshop or kitchen. Adding a bit of hardware to the magnetic strip will help out if you intend on having heavier things like screwdrivers or knives attached to it.
• Using two thin strips of magnetic tape will make your bond twice as strong. This might help justify purchasing the narrower magnetic tape since it can be used for more things.
• Place magnetic strips along all the edges of something you want to hang from the refrigerator or a metallic board to ensure you have the maximum surface area in contact.