Retention of sections on grids during poststaining and immunocytochemical procedures frequently is of crucial importance in the electron microscopy laboratory. Opinions differ regarding the side of grids most suitable for permanent adhesion. The controversy is easily solved by examination of the surfaces involved. Grids are manufactured with a dull/rough side, and a shiny/smooth side.
Epoxy sections exhibit a bumpy surface when viewed in the boat. Scanning electron microscopy images of epoxy sections without embedded material also reveal an uneven surface. Let us imagine a grid to be a single sided piece of sandpaper and the section to be a double sided piece of sandpaper. Sandpaper grips another piece of sandpaper much more readily than it does a smoothly polished metal surface.

For the most secure adhesion of sections to grids sections should be picked up on the rough side of the grid.

Reference:
Hildegard H. Crowley, Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO. 80208

For film casting of grids with e.g. Formvar or carbon, the smooth/shiny side should be used.
All coated grids come with the film positioned on the shiny side of the grid!

Sometimes when you are trying to pick up sections, they won’t adhere to the grid surface. If you don’t have time to glow discharge clean the grid surfaces, try this little trick. Dip the grids in distilled water for a moment and wick off the excess with filter paper. Let them dry while you are arranging your sections. Your sections should now adhere to the grid surface. Some labs soak the grids they will use for the day in distilled water until they are needed. If this procedure fails, reclean your grids with acetone or chloroform or glow discharge clean the grid surfaces.

Reference:
Jeanette Killius, NEOUCOM, Rootstown, OH.

How do Nickel and Copper Grids React with Periodic Acid?

Periodic Acid + Ni → Ni-Periodate + H2
Periodic Acid + Cu → Cu-Periodate + H

In this case you should use Gold Grids.

The Preparation of Adhesive Coated Grids for Picking Up Carbon Film to Make Carbon Coated Grids

The following steps should be followed in the preparation of adhesive coated grids:

1. Submerge about 2" of Scotch clear tape (3M) into 10ml of Dichloroethane (Ethylene Dichloride); shake and discard the tape.
2. The solution now becomes “grid-glue”.
3. Place the grids (dull side up) on a piece of filter paper (dust-free room).
4.  Take a pipette and place a drop of“grid-glue” on top of each grid.
5. Let the grids dry.
6. The grids are now ready to pick up the carbon foil and make the carbon coated grids.

A simplified method for handling EM grids is described. This new method not only offers safety and identification of your samples but offers you improved handling, temporary storage, and identification of grids bearing ultrathin sections as well as a novel method for preparing bulk samples.

Reference:
Gorycki, M. (1992). A Simple Method for Handling Grids. Biotechnic & Histochemistry 67/5, 313-314.