Walls and Ceilings - hanging pictures on plaster walls
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02-06-02, 05:02 PM
Whats the proper way to hang items (pictures etc.) on plastered walls?
02-06-02, 11:26 PM
Hey Joy,
I'm old enough to have grown up in the days prior to drywall when all walls were real plaster and hanging a picture had the potential of becoming a real nightmare -- I presume this is why the question.
You will need to mark the center of the top of the picture frame with a small pencil mark; mark the wall with a small coresponding mark; measure down the back of the frame to the level of the hanger; mark that distance below the first mark on the wall. This is where the nail will go. As small a nail as will handle the weight of the picture.
The most difficult part will be finding cellophane tape -- NOT THE "MAGIC" or "INVISIBLE" type, they tear too easily and the glue is not strong enough. Major office supply stores may have it.
Place a 3/4" square piece of the cellophane tape on the mark, and press it on firmly. drive the nail with a small hammer and do not hit it too hard, but small taps.
If you need to repaint later, you'll have to be sure to clean the glue off completely to avoid staining through.
GOOD LUCK!
I'm old enough to have grown up in the days prior to drywall when all walls were real plaster and hanging a picture had the potential of becoming a real nightmare -- I presume this is why the question.
You will need to mark the center of the top of the picture frame with a small pencil mark; mark the wall with a small coresponding mark; measure down the back of the frame to the level of the hanger; mark that distance below the first mark on the wall. This is where the nail will go. As small a nail as will handle the weight of the picture.
The most difficult part will be finding cellophane tape -- NOT THE "MAGIC" or "INVISIBLE" type, they tear too easily and the glue is not strong enough. Major office supply stores may have it.
Place a 3/4" square piece of the cellophane tape on the mark, and press it on firmly. drive the nail with a small hammer and do not hit it too hard, but small taps.
If you need to repaint later, you'll have to be sure to clean the glue off completely to avoid staining through.
GOOD LUCK!
02-13-02, 05:11 PM
Hi Joy,
I wont go into as much detail as the other replier. There are two devices I have used to do what you need. There is a special toggle hook device that you screw into the wall (not into the studs). It grabs behind the wall, enabling you to hang weight on the protruding hook. You can get them in various sizes to take different weights. The other option is a device that is a nail/hook combination, called a picture hook. Once again, you can nail it into the wall only, but these dont take as much weight therefore I recommend you nail them into the studs. They also come in varying sizes to take different weights.
Good Luck.
I wont go into as much detail as the other replier. There are two devices I have used to do what you need. There is a special toggle hook device that you screw into the wall (not into the studs). It grabs behind the wall, enabling you to hang weight on the protruding hook. You can get them in various sizes to take different weights. The other option is a device that is a nail/hook combination, called a picture hook. Once again, you can nail it into the wall only, but these dont take as much weight therefore I recommend you nail them into the studs. They also come in varying sizes to take different weights.
Good Luck.
Patandfritz
03-06-02, 12:55 PM
I live in a very old building with horse hair plaster. I hang everything with Command . Works awesome!
Mike Swearingen
03-06-02, 01:19 PM
And like some did in the old days when almost all walls were plaster...hang pictures, mirrors, etc. from the wooden "picture molding", or crown molding, around the top of the wall at the ceiling.
The photos that I've seen had two eye hooks screwed into the wood molding at the width of the painting or mirror with one continuous loop of wire through them to the top corners of the hanging object.
Just another alternative hanging method to NOT damage plaster walls.
Good luck!
Mike
The photos that I've seen had two eye hooks screwed into the wood molding at the width of the painting or mirror with one continuous loop of wire through them to the top corners of the hanging object.
Just another alternative hanging method to NOT damage plaster walls.
Good luck!
Mike
dynagirl
03-07-02, 12:46 AM
I use regular old scotch tape before tapping in the picture hanger nail and the works fine for me to prevent the plaster from chipping. However, I recently decided to move pictures around in one of my rooms and discovered that when taking those little pieces of tape off the wall, a small chip of plaster came with almost every one. So, the tape will work to hold the plaster in place whe hanging a picture, but you may have a little spackling to do later when you redecorate.