3M Picture Hanging Strips

I thought I would post a little tutorial / testimony for one of my favorite products, the 3M Picture Hanging Strips (I'm not getting paid for it, of course). :)

I used them to hang both the US map canvas and the big letter B over two years ago (back when the playroom was Braden's "big boy room"). I decided to use them again to hang up our new marker board.

I know that 3M strips cost more than nails, or even screws and drywall anchors, but I just HATE putting holes in my walls. I know holes can be patched and touched up with paint, but if those steps can be avoided, I'm all for it. We have textured walls, and they never look quite right again where a hole has been patched. Plus, I'm pretty sure the extra paint we have out in the garage has turned into toxic waste by now, so I'd have to go out and buy a whole new can to do any touchups. OK, so there's my reasoning for using the strips. They are terrific, but they do present a few challenges.

The trickiest part is putting the frame back up on the wall after you've mounted the strips and let them sit for an hour (which is a key step for all Command products). It can be difficult to get the frame lined up and level since the strips pop together like Velcro, and you can't swing it back and forth like you could if it was on a nail.

I've figured out a few tricks to make it a little easier.

First, I found the center of my frame and marked it with a small piece of painters tape. Then, I did the same thing on the wall, placing another piece of painters tape at the height where I wanted the bottom of the frame to be. Then, I stacked some random objects up to the appropriate height (the Elmo table with a book and a basket on top of it) to support the frame while I lined up the tape on my frame with the tape on the wall, and got it level (using my level). Then, I lightly traced around the top corners of the frame to mark where they needed to be to make the frame level. Then I set the frame aside, and put painters tape on the wall where I had marked the frame corners so I could see the correct placement when I was holding the frame up to the wall later. Here's a photo because I know that description was a little long-winded and possibly confusing.



Next, I mounted the Picture Hanging Strips on the back of the frame. I used four mediums and two smalls (because that's what I had on hand). The four mediums are rated to hold up to 12 pounds. My marker board only weighs about six pounds, so it should be good, especially with the extra two small strips. You have to press each strip firmly for 30 seconds, so I used the timer on my cell phone to keep track. I usually just count to 30 in my head, but this was a LOT easier on my brain.



When you first put the frame up on the wall to attach the sticky backs of the strips, you're supposed to press and hold each one for 30 seconds (again). Well... I knew from experience that it's nearly impossible to know exactly where to press and hold because the strips are on the back of the frame, and you can't see the back of the frame when you're holding it up on the wall. So... I put my painters tape to use again, and placed pieces around the edge of the frame to mark where each strip was.



After I was all done mounting it on the wall, I just peeled away the painters tape, and voilà: a perfectly level marker board that won't move around while little ones are writing and erasing on it.



I've used Picture Hanging Strips several times, and I've only had one item come down off the wall. It was a full-length mirror, and I had attached the strips to the paper on the back of the mirror, which tore away from the frame over time. I noticed that the instructions on my newest pack of strips say to remove any paper backing and apply the strips directly to the frame. Definitely good instructions to follow!

Speaking of instructions, I didn't photograph all the steps, so be sure to read the directions carefully and follow them exactly to make sure your item is securely attached to the wall.

So, what do you think? Will you give the Picture Hanging Strips a try? Have you used them before? I think they are the bomb-diggity. I never say that, but it seemed appropriate. :)