Mounting metal letters to marble/stone wall

[dhallsign]

Hi all,
I will soon be needing to install some aluminum lettering. The wall surface will be a smooth stone finish, likely marble so I will be unable to drill for a stud install. The letters are only approx 6" high x 1/4" thick so not too heavy. Often I use VHB tape with some silicone but some of these letters will have very thin strokes and not enough surface area for tape to hold in place.

Can anybody recommend a fast grabbing strong adhesive for this type of application that will not expand during curing?

Thanks in advance
Dave

 

[MikePro]

sounds like the stroke of the letter would have been too narrow for a stud anyways ...and even if possible, would not be wide enough to cover the blown-out stud hole you could have drilled with ceramic bits.

i'd use epoxy, but you still need something to hold-up the letter while it cures.
I've used hand-trimmed VHBtape-tabs (cut a 1/8" strip of vhb, and apply/cut onto the letter as you go)

 

[Moze]

I don't think I've ever seen a letter stroke too thin for VHB....especially on a 6" letter. I vote VHB.

 

[Billct2]

I agree, I've put tape on some pretty small letters.

 

[dhallsign]

Thanks for the replies. Even though the letters are 6" high some are very thin, like from 3/16" down to 1/8" stroke. I guess I'm just looking for an easier way rather than tiny pieces of tape that would also make the letter 'I' wobbly for example (if that makes sense). Just don't think is would be strong enough either

 

[jfiscus]

It'll be fine. Apply a wide piece of VHB to the letter and cut around it. (it may be a bit tedious but it will work)
Look at how skinny some of the lettering on vehicles is that is held on by VHB.
Sometimes I will apply a piece or two of VHB temporarily for while the VHB is still fresh and then come back in a bit and remove the tape.
THIS is less than 1 SF of tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_fM5cqSODc

 

[Moze]

Thanks for the replies. Even though the letters are 6" high some are very thin, like from 3/16" down to 1/8" stroke. I guess I'm just looking for an easier way rather than tiny pieces of tape that would also make the letter 'I' wobbly for example (if that makes sense). Just don't think is would be strong enough either

VHB is still your best bet. Cut pieces as wide as possible, even on the 'l'. Keep in mind it's pressure sensitive. Apply pressure to ensure the tape wets out entirely.

 

[Moze]

The "YOU ASKED FOR IT, YOU GOT IT" letters were about an 1/8" or 3/16" stroke.

 

[dhallsign]

Thanks for the info guys. I will just be patient with the tedious parts

 

[Gino]

Out of curiosity.... is this marble/stone wall outside in the elements, exposed to sun, rain, snow and heat...... or an inside wall with a controlled environment ??

 

[dhallsign]

Inside wall. I'll go with VHB I know it'll be ok was just looking into another option because of some thin letters

 

[Gino]

Be careful and you should be fine.

 

[signmanmatt]

I use double sided tape from the Golf Pro Shop. Yep. the same double sided tape they use to put new grips onto a golf club. https://golfersauthority.com/shurtape-grip-tape/
I have used it on the thinnest stroke letters.