I’ve got this great (or at least unusual) decorating idea: I’m going to take the last year or so’s worth of New Yorker covers and put them on my wall*. I think, but am not sure yet, that I’ll put them in a horizontal row around the room for maximum visual effect.
My question is this: What should I use to affix them to the wall? I’ve got 42 of them (and adding one a week), and I don’t really want to put 84 pinoles in my walls. Not to mention the walls are made of something very strong which is difficult to put tacks into. Tape seems likely to fall off the walls, or if it’s sticky enough to stay it seems like it would leave ugly residue. I’m sure there’s something that would work for this project, but I have no idea what it might be.
Suggestions appreciated; thank you for your time.
[sub]*I love the New Yorker’s artwork, as well as the fact that they don’t put blurbs on the cover; just “The New Yorker” over an attractive and usually timely drawing. One of my favorites had two well dressed, seemingly affluent turkeys looking scared as they walked down a dark alley. It was, of course, the week of Thanksgiving.[/sub]
Tacky putty or Command Adhesive by 3M might work.
Wallpaper paste or double sided tape will work. I’m assuming you’re a renter, and don’t want to have a big hassle when it’s time to move. Wallpaper paste will wash off with soapy water, and double sided tape will come off cleanly with some gentle persuasion from a fingertip (it rolls up on itself in a little ball like rubber cement.) Come to think of it, rubber cement would be alright too.
Is rubber cement the stuff they attach magazine address stickers with, that stretches out but you can roll it up into a sticky ball? That might work; tacky putty sounds like a good idea as well. I’ll check into them tomorrow; I think there’s a crafts store not far from my place.
Thanks!
I would like to recommend border adhesive. I think it might be more suitable than regular wallpaper paste.
If the walls are painted with GLOSSY paint, this will work (used to use this method in my dorm room, where each tack hole cost you money at the end of the year inspection). It won’t work on matte paint, because the Krazy Glue will soak into the paint instead of sticking to the surface.
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Take the poster you want to affix to the wall and turn it over.
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On the back side of each corner, put a small piece of shiny plastic scotch tape (NOT the “magic” matte tape - get the cheaper shiny stuff). I think a piece about 1/2 or 3/4 inch long works best.
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On each piece of tape, place a small dot of Krazy Glue. I find using the Krazy Glue pen works best, just make sure your paper is on a hard surface.
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QUICKLY put the poster on the wall. Press very gently on the corners where the tape & Krazy Glue are for about 2 seconds.
(I find it’s easiest to put tape on all 4 corners, then put glue on the top two pieces of tape, affix those to the wall, then do the bottom pieces after it’s stuck to the wall)
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Ta da - the poster will stay stuck to the wall indefinitely (or at least for 2 semesters).
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When you’re ready to remove the poster from the wall, GENTLY slide something thin, like a table knife, under the edge of the poster, moving towards the tape. The corner of the poster should pop off the wall, leaving no damage on the wall or the poster.
Good thinking, Motorgirl; thanks. I’ve got matte paint on the walls here, though. I went and bought a bunch of “UHU tac” at the art supply store today, which should do the trick, though I’m still in the process of removing address labels and getting all the covers separated from the magazines. Much like fighting ignorance, it’s taking longer than I thought.
I’m just amazed that I’ve actually gotten a modicum of motivation for a home-improvement project, so I’m trying to take advantage of it while it lasts.
Another suggestion: 3M makes a type of Scotch Tape that uses a similar adhesive to that found on Post-it notes. I can’t remember the name of it, but it comes in a blue package.
I use it at work to hang pictures of my daughter, phone lists, etc. It peels right off without leaving any residue. It’s also reasonably transparent when it’s applied.