Wallpaper paste for Mounting

[j Paul]

Here is just a thought, from a newbie. Our basement Media/Rec Room is done in a 50's retro Coke motif. So when redoing the adjoining bathroom I wanted to save and mount to the wall sheets from an old Coke Calander. Wallpaper paste seemed like the logical choice. The paste did not seem to absorb to the shiny calander sheets, so I soaked them in water first and then applied the paste and then applied them to the wall. Did not look like it was going to work as they were now wrinkled. But alas, as they dried the wringles vanished.

So that bring up this thought! Since Wallpaper Paste is water based and in many cases wheat paste, would it be appropriate to use in mounting objects to be framed. It could be done without the use of a press, as I simply used a squegee to burnish the calander pages to the wall. Certainly not thinking that this would be conservation, but maybe for mounting those less than valuable posters that come in wrinkled and rolled.

Does this idea have any merit? Just putting it out there for discussion.

PS. Just signed the lease on our bulding, should be open by 7-1-04

 

[JRB]

jpaul, what you experienced is what we call a "wet mount". This type of mounting is the way it used to be done before mounting presses came into being.

We used to use a non curling vegetable glue, such as Yes Paste. We would roll that onto our mounting board, then lay our pre dampened paper art into the paste, cover it with Kraft paper, and rub out the bubbles. Pre- dampening the paper art to be mounted, would cause the paper to relax, then as it dried, it would return to it's natural state, seems like it was shrinking, but not really.

We would then mount a piece of damp Kraft paper to the back to keep the mount from warping. This was called counter mounting.

Using wall paper paste would be an inexpensive way of doing it, but it would also be very risky. How would you know if you got all the lumps out?

It would be better to use Yes Paste and not put any more risk to the customers work than you already are by wet mounting in the first place. Better yet, call Print Mount Company and order a hot cold vacuum mount machine. You and your customers will be much happier with the results.

John

 

[j Paul]

Thanks John for the background information. I really enjoy learning more and more. Makes perfect since. Just had to ask the question though.
I did recently purchase a Seal500TX, but have not yet had a chance to use it. Came with a couple of armloads of mounting supplies. Most are not in labeled boxes, so I am hoping my sales rep can identify them for me. Paid $950. for it and was told by some that that was a good fair price.
I do know that there is a danger in using "heat" on certain items. I am taking the class on using presses/mounting in Philly in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again for the lesson, John

 

[JRB]

Your right, heat can destroy many of todays images. Best rule: If you do not know, don't use heat.

John

 

[Jerry Ervin]

The easiest way is to use 3M ProSpray and no heat press. Water based, no worry about heat, and sometimes reversible.