Backdrop Tape Options

Bill,

I used double sided tape on all of my backdrops and have not had a problem with them falling down. They have been in place for 3-5 years now. The gap in time is due to the fact I purchased them at different times. They are secured to my painted drywall. I realize that when and if I move I will have some work to do on the walls.

What will yours be secured to? If I remember correctly, you are using masonite correct? I just picked up whatever brand of double sided tape I saw at Lowe's. I believe it was "carpet" tape. This has worked for me with no problems, at least for now.

The only "but" that I have is that you want to be very carefully when installing to stretch the backdrop so that there are no creases, wrinkles, etc. I have experienced that and it can be a challenge to correct depending on the material of your backdrop. One of my backdrops needs to be modified because of this.

Dave

No need for tape. Just staple it to furring strips on the top and the bottom and suspend it like a curtain using fish line:

@luvindemtrains I feel so dumb for not checking on Lowes to see if they had carpet tape. I guess I just expected my local Lowes not to have it. It looks like they have a roll of  1 7/8"x 75' double sided  carpet tape. People say they're sticking carpet to concrete with it. I think I'm going to pick up a roll. I'm pretty nervous about the install just because it's a one shot thing. I got a friend helping. I might get a second one. I'm thinking I'll basically put one continuous strip of tape at the top of the backdrop, then come back and add a strip to the bottom after the backdrop is hanging.

@Avanti I saw one of your posts! That's where I got the furring strip idea. Did you also use strips on the bottom? Or did the backdrop hang naturally?

I used the carpet tape to hold my backdrops up with good success.  I used two rows of the tape at the top of the backdrop, and used the d all scotch double back tape for the seams.   It has been up almost 10 years no issues.

Thanks @Rich883. That's gives me some confidence. I'm going to opt for the carpet tape. Seems to be the best choice. I'll post on my layout thread when I get it done (hopefully in the coming week or sooner!).

Bill,

That sounds like a plan. I like the idea of starting at the top but I would put the tape at the bottom as well, only taping the one side to your new and expensive backdrop, lol. Once you have secured the top to the surface then remove the other side of the tape, at the bottom, and go for it. As you are removing the side that will attach to your backdrop surface, be sure not to let it touch it until you're ready and have it in the place you want it. That stuff is strong!

It can be quite intimidating at first only because of the fear of "messing it up". Those things are pretty pricey and no one wants to have any accidents with them. Once you do the first one the insecurities will subside a bit.

Have fun with it. It will definitely be one of those many transformations to your layout.

Dave

@BillYo414 posted:

Thanks @Rich883. That's gives me some confidence. I'm going to opt for the carpet tape. Seems to be the best choice. I'll post on my layout thread when I get it done (hopefully in the coming week or sooner!).

Btw I used a laser level to project the level line on the wall to make sure I hung it level.  It was a big help.  I think I bought a cheap one at harbor freight, but also can rent them.

Gorilla Glue also makes double stick tape.

There is also Alien Tape on the TV commercials that is supposed to stick well yet unstick when needed.

A non-Tape option may be to attack yardsticks to the top & bottom edges with color-blended thumb tacks to you backdrop.  The the back drop could be hung from your Masonite walls as if it was a picture in a frame.

Please show us photos after you have completed you backdrop installation

BiillyYo,  I will be back home mid May. If you need some helpl putting up your backdrop hit me up. 304-374-5807 c

What backdrops are you gonna use. Whose are they. I was lookin at backdrops.com but i'm finding for our layout and for the persepctive we need that trackside scenery is a better fit for us.

Tom

@BillYo414 posted:

@Avanti I saw one of your posts! That's where I got the furring strip idea. Did you also use strips on the bottom? Or did the backdrop hang naturally?

I have done both.  The problem is that without them on the bottom, the "curtain" will tend to curl upward a bit over time. This is OK or not depending on what is visible above your platform and scenery. The bottom strips add a little weight and prevents this.

I have looked at back drops a few times but can't seem to justify the cost of them. Reading this thread if I do ever go with a back drop I feel it would be best to use good old fashioned thumb tacks. If you ever want to change things around you can do it. With the double sided tape you would ruin the back drop if you wanted to or needed to remove it.

@luvindemtrains Thanks Dave! I didn't know there would be paper on the tape like that. That could make things much easier potentially!

@CBQ_Bill  I will look into the Gorilla stuff. I've always had good luck with their products. I'll post pics in my build thread (link in the signature).

@TomSuperO I have help lined up to do it this weekend if I can find myself some carpet tape but thanks! I ended up going with Train Junkies. It was Feather River Mountain. It has the right perspective and lighting for my layout; especially because I'm using the backdrop to make the layout deeper. I worked with RailroadBackdrops too. Super great people! But in the end, I had to go with what worked for my layout. I'll explain more details in my build thread when I get this thing put up.

@Avanti gotcha. I was curious about that curling. I could get away with it because my layout will have mountains covered enough of the bottom edge.

@Dan Kenny I'm considering thumbtacks as a temporary measure to make sure I like everything.

@Dan Kenny posted:

I have looked at back drops a few times but can't seem to justify the cost of them. Reading this thread if I do ever go with a back drop I feel it would be best to use good old fashioned thumb tacks. If you ever want to change things around you can do it. With the double sided tape you would ruin the back drop if you wanted to or needed to remove it.

Hobby Lobby makes a sky-blue paper roll with clouds printed on it for $8. The roll is 4' tall and 12' long, so for less than $20.00, one can have a decent looking 24' long sky and cloud backdrop - not too costly.

Wall paper, (a Sherwin Williams product) right.  Hand painted left and center. 

I have used 3M double sided tape with good results.  I recently picked up some Gorilla mounting tape, and I think it's actually a little better.

With the 3M you have to be careful not to handle the "sticky" side too much.  The oil from your fingers will break down the adhesive, and the tape won't stick as well.  Gorilla tape seems to stand up to contaminants a little better.  Just my observations.

@Dan Kenny posted:

Richie C.OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Hobby Lobby makes a sky-blue paper roll with clouds printed on it for $8. The roll is 4' tall and 12' long, so for less than $20.00, one can have a decent looking 24' long sky and cloud backdrop - not too costly.

Thanks , I'll have to check that out! Still most likely will not tape it to the wall.

Dan

They used to make two different designs - one with more "puffy" clouds and one with more "wispy" clouds, but I haven't checked their site lately to see if they still stock both.

FWIW, my playroom walls are knotty pine paneling which is, obviously, far from smooth. I nailed up some masonite, cut to size, with finish nails and then attached the cloud paper to the masonite with spray adhesive and help from my wife. I also painted sky blue some thin 1" wide flat pine stock and nailed it to the top of the paper as molding to insure everything would stay in place. That was 6 years ago and still going strong. The spray adhesive I used had some workable time.

Well I went to the Lowes today and picked up the Shurtape 1.88"x75' Indoor Outdoor Carpet Tape. Two rolls. That's what they had. That should get me done. The backdrop itself arrived today. Now I just need no interruptions this weekend and I'll be posting and update. Cross your fingers!

Thanks for the info Guys.

Here are the results of the backdrop attempt. The short: not my best work. I'm considering trying again.

Bill, We've discussed how we are going to mount ours. We're thinking gluing the backdrop to a 1/8" thk sheet of hardboard then rest it on the table to support the bottom and velcro the top of the hardboard to the wall. 

We used a sherwin williams aviary blue on the walls