I’m attaching a very large photo backdrop to styrene (the photo is printed on photo paper and is 4’ x 20’). What glue should I use to mount it? I know that others have used spray adhesive but I’m worried about the lack of working time and part of the backdrop will have to be mounted against styrene already mounted and so I’m worried about the smell and overspray of spray adhesive. I tried basic wallpaper paste but found it wouldn’t dry on styrene. Any suggestions before I try to make spray adhesive work? Thanks.
Brad
I’ve had good luck with the new water-based contact cements with wood and cork, but not sure how that would do on styrene. Something to consider at least reading the label to see if it’ll suit. It does require roller pressure to really set, so not instant contact.
If you do have to spray 3M 77 or whatever, mask off to protect things. That stuff can get on things and never come off. That’s one way to deal with overspray anyway, just like with paint.
Whatever glue you decide on it must work on nonporous materials. Styrene is nonporous. The 3m brand of spray adhesive, the fumes are non life threatening, if that is your concern. Graphic designers use it all day long at the drawing tables, with about four other people using it.
Frank
Just a thought, but if the styrene were to be primed with a suitable primer that will stick to it properly, would that provide enough tooth for the wallpaper glue to work? I don’t know the answer but if it would work it would give the necessary time to smooth the paper.
Next question of course is what primer would be suitable?
Anybody know the answer(s), or am I way out to lunch?
Dave
Dave,
That just seem’s like a lot of extra work to do for something in all likely hood is not going to work anyway. Wall paper paste is used on porous materials, if it did stick, it would be to the primer and then peel away from the styrene. I believe there is a big misconception of the use of primer, on various surfaces, plastic, metal and wood. On wood it it used to seal the pores and grain, so your first coat of paint don’t get sucked in. On plastic, on a model building it is not so important, but on larger plastic area’s sanding and scuffing is important for the primer to stick to the plastic, if you did not sand or scuff for instance a fiberglass repair job on a vehicle and just painted your color on the finish, eventually your paint would chip easy and also peel off. Metal is about the same prep. This advice does not come from my own work, but some very successful close freinds of mine that do custom paint jobs for a living and also own they’re own shops.
Frank
Edit: He could use the spray, right out of the can, on both surfaces, the paper and the styrene, but put on wet, for it to work properly,the same goes for masonite, but he better have some help and roll the paper on with a dry paint roller, to get it to stick uniformally. Best on a flat surface,but can be done vertically with help.
What about double faced tape?
Rich
Hi Brad, I have several posts about large photo backdrops from Sept. 21, 2012 to Oct. 5th 2012. All of them might help you with your question under Layout building titled, “New Backdrop”. Go back and take a look at the info. My thought for you is I had my big backdrop printed on Scrim which is flexable and has tooth. The file was 1.002 gigs printed at 800 DPI. I installed it on masonite using Sherwin Williams, Roman Pro #543 universal border adhesive (water based). I lightly sanded the smooth Masonite with 600 grit finishing paper and used the adhesive above mentioned. When finished I sprayed the image with Krylon Matte clear to stop all glare.
It is an expensive problem if anything fails so I experimented with a piece of Scrim and Masonite before doing the final. MY suggestion to you would be to lightly sand the styrene with maybe 400 grit finishing grit on all surface and have your image printed on Scrim if possible. I had my image printed through Office Depot and they proofed it for me first, then I ordered the whole image printed which came out fantastic. Their charge was $85.00. Wow, what a deal. I suggest that you also experiment. My image was 84" X21". Office Depot can print a file as long as you want on Scrim. Hope these ideas will help you. Doug