Our situation is very similar to yours.  We present several temporary
exhibitions each year, so the walls do take a beating.  We create wall
labels in exactly the same way you describe.  However, we stopped using
double-sided foam tape precisely because of the clean-up problem.  We
started using a hot glue gun (very sparingly), which presents less of a
problem.  If we're very careful, we can remove the dried glue dots from the
wall with a putty knife with a minimum of abrasion, though there are always
a few stubborn ones.  Even using this method, we still find that we must
repaint at least twice a year.  If anyone has better suggestions, please
post.





>I have used 3M double coated foam mounting tape for over 20 years to mount
>small exhibit labels to painted walls, but am increasingly impatient with the
>cleanup necessary.  We are an art museum with changing shows that rarely last
>over 10 weeks.  The labels are prepared on a word processor, laser printed,
>mounted on scrap mat board, and bevel cut.  They are light weight, easily
>replaced, and not expected to have a long life anyway.  The foam tape is great
>for mounting them to the walls, but even when cut into bits 1/8 x 1/2" the
>tape leaves its back half and adhesive on the wall when the label is removed.
>This requires much scraping and burnishing of the wall surface to clean off. I
>prefer not to repaint the walls between shows, the turnover is so great, and
>even touchups show too much.  I wonder if the stuff is available in a low tack
>variety, or what other preparators are using in similar low budget situations
>to mount this type of exhibit label to their painted walls.
>Let's have a discussion...
>
>   ==============================================================
>   Stephen B. Ringle, Registrar/Preparator    [log in to unmask]
>   University of Maine Museum of Art
>   5712 Carnegie Hall, Room 109                vox: 207-581-3257
>   Orono, Maine   04469-5712                   fax: 207-581-3083
>   ==============================================================

Lucia I. Dorsey
Coordinator
Arthur Ross Gallery
University of Pennsylvania
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6380
TEL: (215) 898-4401
FAX: (215) 573-2045