I used a Permacel double-sided tape that worked very well, yet released easily.  The double-sided foam tape would not release from the wall.  The Permacel tape cost about $8/roll.

 

 

I actually have a related question to George’s. 

 

We use 4ply mat board for our wall signs and labels.  These are installed by stapling a small mat board tab to the wall and then affixing the desired label or sign to the tab(s) with double-sided adhesive.  This allows some space for air circulation but more importantly when removed we only have to deal with 4 or so little staple holes and no adhesive residue.  Sometimes our signs over 11 x 17 will begin to curl (The humidity in the Gallery is 50% which is standard for paintings and works on paper), but the majority of our things don’t curl. 

 

However, my problem is that the adhesive I’m using randomly gives out and things just pop off the wall.  I have used scotch double-sided tape and 2 different brands of carpeting tape.  I am thinking about trying that double-sided foam tape hoping it will breathe better but I don’t know.  Does anyone have any suggestions on other adhesives?

 

Thank you very much,

 

 

 

George, is there any way you can install spacers between the foam core and the wall? Just having some air circulating there might help alleviate the curling. Is this an outside wall you’re installing on? And for goodness sakes, install a dehumidifier. They aren’t very expensive, and if you have artifacts enduring the same humidity that’s curling your foam core, they’re probably not happy either. You can use some of the money you saved by switching from Gatorfoam, which is, I know, extremely expensive.

 

Hope this is helpful –

Anne

 

 

Last year I switched my exhibitions department from using Gatorfoam to Foamcore. Unfortunately, our temperature and humidity controls in the building are less than ideal, and the foamcore started curling away from the walls within days after installing. Reinforcing with stronger double-sided adhesive tape helped, but makes prep time between shows more difficult. The cost saving from foamcoare is huge, but I can't have my graphics curl and fall off days after a show opening.

This is the first museum I've had to do this much graphics prep in house. My other museums outsourced, so I'm sure there's a bit of a learning curve. Has anyone else had the same problem I'm experiencing? What advice would you give?

Thanks in advance for any information you can offer,
George Garner