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Hanging Aluminum Panels

Aluminum substrate panels are becoming more and more common as the base substrate for silk screening photos or as cladding. Hanging aluminum panels using Monarch “Z Clips” is different from a typical wood panel installation in that installers are limited in the mechanical fasteners they can use on the rear side of the panel.

Attaching Monarch Z Clips to an aluminum panel can be a challenge without mechanical fasteners.
Attaching Monarch Z Clips to an aluminum panel can be a challenge without mechanical fasteners.

There are several options for mounting the clips to the back of the panel.

If the panels are very light, then you could potentially use a Very High Bond (VHB) double sided tape. For this to work, you would clean the surface of the panel and the clip using an abasive to create a clean rough bonding surface and then apply the tape. VHB tape is relatively easy to use, but be careful, because it bonds quickly and then can not be moved.

Monarch Z Clips Attached
Monarch Z Clips Attached

Another option is to use an epoxy. Here at Monarch, we generally direct people to 3M’s industrial adhesives & tapes help desk for help with selecting the right adhesive. Their number is 1-800-362-3550. Dial prompts 2-2-2 and the information that you will need to provide would be the clip material (aluminum), the material of the panels and the environmental conditions. You are going to be conscious of the open time, the handling time and the cure time. You are also going to make sure the environment is right for the epoxy to cure and you are going to need a clamping system for working during the application.

If you have a perimeter area of the panel that will not be visible, then another option would be to attach a mdf or plywood blocking to the panel and then just use a regular #8 pan head screw to attach the z clips to the blocking.

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