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Photo backdrop preparation

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Photo backdrop preparation
Posted by Jim Cubie on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 8:25 PM

If you are using photos as the background do you have to tape the joints as if it were a Sheetrock wall, or can you just spackle and sand the joints ?

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Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 3:50 PM

Do it right. The pictures might not cover the entire area or you might want some blue sky above the pictures.  I personally like to cut the sky out of backdrops and just use the mountains and buildings etc.

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
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Posted by jecorbett on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 5:49 PM

Lone Wolf and Santa Fe

Do it right. The pictures might not cover the entire area or you might want some blue sky above the pictures.  I personally like to cut the sky out of backdrops and just use the mountains and buildings etc.

 

I second this. It's a little extra work but I think worth the effort. Why create something that could cause a problem down the line. If the backdrop fails to hold over time it's going to be a royal pain to fix the problem.

I've done long backdrops over drywall and have had no trouble keeping it attached over the seams. I paint the wall board sky blue and add a few clouds here and there and then cut the sky off the back drop and glue it on using 3M spray adhesive.

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Posted by Santa Fe all the way! on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:42 PM
In an earlier false start, I used the 3M spray to adhere a photo background to styrene. The adhesive didn't work very well. Maybe styrene is too slick of a surface for good adhesion? On the new layout I'm using Masonite, so hopefully this won't be a problem.
Come on CMW, make a '41-'46 Chevy school bus!
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Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, October 22, 2015 2:19 AM

I use the fiberglass mesh tape on the seams of my hardboard backdrop. It is way stronger than paper and I find it much easier to work with.

A friend of mine use to teach drywalling at a trade school and one thing I always remembered him telling me was, close your eyes and run your fingers over the join, if you can feel it, you will be able to see it when painted. It was a good lesson.

Go ahead and try and see the seams, get as close as you like!Laugh

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, October 22, 2015 4:42 AM

Santa Fe all the way!
In an earlier false start, I used the 3M spray to adhere a photo background to styrene. The adhesive didn't work very well. Maybe styrene is too slick of a surface for good adhesion? On the new layout I'm using Masonite, so hopefully this won't be a problem.
 

I hope that You know that You need to coat both pieces when You are using a spray adhesive for a permanent bond. I use a product called Zipatone spray cement. If You only coat one surface, it will eventually peel right off, no matter what You are putting it on.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, October 22, 2015 5:32 AM

zstripe

 

 
Santa Fe all the way!
In an earlier false start, I used the 3M spray to adhere a photo background to styrene. The adhesive didn't work very well. Maybe styrene is too slick of a surface for good adhesion? On the new layout I'm using Masonite, so hopefully this won't be a problem.
 

 

 

I hope that You know that You need to coat both pieces when You are using a spray adhesive for a permanent bond. I use a product called Zipatone spray cement. If You only coat one surface, it will eventually peel right off, no matter what You are putting it on.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

 

That is not always true.  In the case of 3M 77 Adhesive Spray, which is often recommended for applying paper backdrops, you only spray one surface, not both. In fact, it dries so fast that you won't likely have time to spray both surfaces. If it is applied quickly and correctly, the paper will not peel away. I can tell you that from experience.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, October 22, 2015 5:54 AM

ON the product I use it specifectly states to spray both sides, let sit for a minute, almost dry and apply, for a permanent bond. My backdrop which was applied 30yr's ago hasn't come off yet, doing it with that product, that way. On 1/2 smooth side ply and glossy paper. Almost like using contact cement. When applied properly, that's the important part......following directions on product. You probably needed two coats, which it also states, on some materials. Most all those spray adhesives, are not designed to be put on wet, they will not bond that way.

To each their own beliefs....mine works for Me.

Frank

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, October 22, 2015 6:19 AM

The small backdrop in the photo, was put on with spray adhesive, both surfaces,almost dry on 1x8 pine. The same 1x8 pine I cut on My table saw in the dimentions I wanted and glued them for the inside framing on this Walthers plastic cornerstone building, with contact cement, both surfaces coated, let sit until almost totally dry and pressed in place, no clamps or weight required and it will break, before it comes apart....It is shown here painted already:

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, October 22, 2015 6:23 AM

Frank, Santa Fe is talking about 3M products, so it is important not to mislead him about spray adhesive applications.

What is Zipatone?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, October 22, 2015 6:44 AM

It's another brand of spray adhesive other than 3M, does the same thing... without the cost.

There are many alternative name products out there that do the same thing.....not bashing 3M.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, October 22, 2015 6:47 AM

zstripe

It's another brand of spray adhesive other than 3M, does the same thing... without the cost.

Frank, I would be interested in that product since 3M 77 Spray dries too fast.  But I cannot find Zipatone.  Can you provide a link?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, October 22, 2015 7:34 AM

Rich,

As far as I know, they are not in the chemical end anymore. They did make many adhesives for the Graphic Industry. I used to use their products alot, got the tip from My Graphic Designer friend, who worked for American Decal. Zipatone Inc. was in Hillside, Il. I still have a can and a half of the spray since the mid 80's, so I use it.

Check out Scotch brand Adhesive spray. One that states,'' an aggresive adhesive for all surfaces'' Don't worry...it is ecologically safe and fumes won't kill You.  Unless they stopped, putting that out for consumer use too....they are everything else.

You will always find better and stronger adhesives in office/graphic design suppliers, than any Big box store.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, October 22, 2015 8:08 AM

If I were to use the 3M spray, it would be the Super 77, You'll notice the term ''Aggressive'' tack, permanent bond and Ill bet the directions state on the back for a strong permanet bond coat both surfaces. If You just coat one side, it will only stick to what You sprayed it on...that is why designers use for what is called ''paste-up'' so they can reconfigure what they designed on a mock-up, You can do that quite a few times, before the adhesive stops working.

http://www.uline.com/BL_8103/3M-Super-77-Adhesive?pricode=WG195&Sitelink=3m_super_77&gclid=Cj0KEQjwkqKxBRCIrK_riNm13Z8BEiQAdzdVkHlPM_HRsuWmTS1mQiLdbNhmJlGT7ANBtwid0-xS44YaAuY18P8HAQ

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, October 22, 2015 7:16 PM

zstripe

If I were to use the 3M spray, it would be the Super 77, You'll notice the term ''Aggressive'' tack, permanent bond and Ill bet the directions state on the back for a strong permanet bond coat both surfaces. If You just coat one side, it will only stick to what You sprayed it on...that is why designers use for what is called ''paste-up'' so they can reconfigure what they designed on a mock-up, You can do that quite a few times, before the adhesive stops working.

Frank, you are right about the fact that the directions on the 3M Super 77 spray can talk about "extra strength" bonding by spraying both sides of the contact surfaces. But the primary directions on the spray can indicate that the spraying only one surface is sufficient for most applications.  

Whenever I have used 3M Super 77 spray on photo backdrops or control panel diagrams, I have only sprayed one contact surface, and the resulting bond has always held firm. I am not at all certain why Santa Fe All The Way had a problem applying the spray to a styrene plastic surface. Perhaps the spray was not applied completely or evenly or was allowed to dry a little, which doesn't take long to occur.

Rich

 

Alton Junction

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