Securing posters when wall goo won't work

April 11, 2020 11:01 AM

I'm turning my basement into an office.

It is half finished wall and half concrete block. I'd like some cheerful posters (I've already nailed up some things on the finished wall), but the wall goo either falls off, or the whole poster falls off with the wall gum attached.

I thought maybe it's the moisture from the washer/dryer; but I only use them about once a week, probably less now.
I have some Gorilla Tape, but I'm afraid it will leave black marks/residue on the walls.

posted by Rumi'sLeftSock to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

Have you already tried vigorously cleaning the concrete before applying the goo? Maybe something like: vacuum the wall spots, then use some goo to repeatedly stick to the spots to pull off/out any loose dust. Then soften your adhesive goo a little by warming it in your (very clean) hands, stick it firmly into place, then stick the poster on top of that.

This is just off the top of my head, but it should improve adhesion some. Whether it will be enough, I'm not sure.
posted by amtho at 11:18 AM on April 11, 2020

You've got to hold it in place for a long while (or briefly tape it or press a flat thing against it while it dries), but rubber cement is kind to most unpainted surfaces and is easy to remove.
posted by eotvos at 12:14 PM on April 11, 2020

Not all ticky tack is equal. The blue stuff won't hold for shit and the 3m is not all that good on dampish walls. I have found that the Elmer/Elsie brand which is a bit more gooey, is the best and will stick better on iffy surfaces. I worked as a sign maker for a food co-op for 3 decades and I have stuck signs to the iffiest surfaces with Elsie. Blue tack and gorilla tape will leave stains. Before hanging, you can clean the surface with a little alcohol to wipe away moisture or grease residue.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 1:34 PM on April 11, 2020 [2 favorites]

There are some systems that use small (1 or 2 mm) rare earth magnets. You put a small magnetic sticker on the wall where each corner of the poster will go, then the magnet goes over the poster. They worked well for me in my last rental.
posted by Jasper Fnorde at 1:36 PM on April 11, 2020

Does the ceiling have studs you can screw or nail into? Try museum/café style with fishing line hanging down from the ceiling attached to binder clips that hold the posters. A second pair of weighted clips on the bottom will help keep the posters unrolled and relax into flatness.
posted by migurski at 1:45 PM on April 11, 2020 [3 favorites]

Gorilla brand does have clear mounting tape, which is stated to work on rough surfaces.
posted by calgirl at 3:59 PM on April 11, 2020

If you're committed to finding a no-puncture solution, these 3M Command Spring Clips look like small, wide clothespins and come in two colors: “quartz” (white-ish) and “slate” (black-ish).
You'd want clips for both top and bottom. Fully install the top edge and hang the poster, then attach clips to the bottom edge and gently pull the poster taut while you stick the bottom clips to the wall.

Or if you're comfortable having some holes to patch, you could use masonry nails and binder clips. 2 nails with clips at the top, and just clips at the bottom for weight. If the look of the little clip handles bothers you, once they're installed you can pinch and remove all except the ones that are resting on the nails.
posted by D.Billy at 5:14 AM on April 12, 2020 [1 favorite]

Can you set up a few dehumidifiers in the space? Might also improve comfort level as well.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:25 AM on April 12, 2020

Echoing adding a temporary crown molding or wooden trim to the ceiling/upper wall and suspending the posters from there with fishing line or other cord. At that point the adhesive will keep the poster in position without bearing its weight.
posted by TrishaU at 9:48 AM on April 12, 2020