How to mount acoustic foam?

[springs]

How do you mount foam on a wall? The wall is painted sheetrock...the foam is cheapo Auralex-looking stuff. I've tried two dumb-ass methods so far. Lessons learnt: nails thru the foam into the wall don't work well as the nails then sort of tear through or out of the foam, and double-sided adhesive tape works for a few hours then the foam drops off, especially if there's humidity.

Basically looking for a pretty cheap and effective way to keep it up there on the wall! Help please... (Nothing too expensive or sophisticated if possible - it's a shitty square apartment room that with hope I'll be moving out of into a 'proper' studio in about 6 months!)

Jules, I know foam isn't exactly gear...so move thread if necessary...it's just that people are so damn helpful and responsive in this forum! Peace out

[genericperson]

dude have i got the answer! (two answers actually)

1) go to home depot and get those wooden strips they use to hold carpet along the edges of the walls. you wail the nail side into the walls, and then hang the foam on the little spikey barbs. works awesome. try to get the at least a few of the "nails" to hit into a stud area whenever possible. do one strip at the top and one at the bottom. these carpet nailer wood strips tend to be warped, so you will have to throw out some to get to the good straight ones. you will be putting small yet observable holes in the walls, so be lease-wary of this. but imho a good quick spackle job/repaint should be able to fix this when it's time for you to move out.

2) another idea is to mount a thin board backing to the top edge area (using spray adhesive) of the foam panel and then hang them like a picture, adding some weight to the bottom area so it hangs flush. maybe even spray adhesive-attaching a thin board backing to the whole back, then you can take them on and off the wall to adjust acoustics, turn them sideways, etc. this is an idea i have floating in my mind for the next time i have to do some mounting.

[MASSIVE Master]

I use one of those new Craftsman staple guns into the valley of Auralex sheets. The Craftsman in particular because of the accuracy and pressure (it's the one that pushed toward the staple instead of away from it, allowing one-handed full-force). You've got to hit it hard and right in the valley or it dimples.

That carpet-tack strip idea sounds pretty cool, though... Never thought of that one...

[joeq]

You can just glue it directly to the wall. the 3m spray adhesive is pretty good for a permanent mounting. Better than the caulking gun type stuff like liquid nails.

Just be careful positioning it, because you don't get much wiggle room once it grabs


I did some of my foam with the thin backing idea- exactly as presented by genericperson - a sort 'shiny' masonite type stuff spray glued across most of the foam panel- and then used the heavy duty velcro to hang it = hooks on the wall, loops on the board.


The velcro will not stay if glued onto the foam directly, but it stays put on a board.

[jho]

Two Words:

"Liquid Nails"

Totally easy. Home depot, Lowes, etc. It's what you want. Fast, easy, holds. If you use just little round dollups then it's easy to take down if you ever move your studio without tearing up the foam. Note, you will have to paint the room when you leave, though. Be careful when taking off so you don't pull the paper off the sheet rock (dry wall mud will fix if you goof)

It's what Primeacoustics, etc ship with their acoustic foam btw.

[Rusty Cage]

I just finished lining my "2nd bedroom" in an apartment with acoustic foam - it's plaster on brick, I'm pretty sure. Given that I can't mark the walls, I found some craft glue at a hardware store that holds really well, but will peel off when I need to move.

It's by "UHU", for "polystyrene foam & craft foils". Did the job.

[springs]

THANKS!

[bloodsweatfire]

Originally posted by jho
Two Words:

"Liquid Nails"

Totally easy. Home depot, Lowes, etc. It's what you want. Fast, easy, holds. If you use just little round dollups then it's easy to take down if you ever move your studio without tearing up the foam. Note, you will have to paint the room when you leave, though. Be careful when taking off so you don't pull the paper off the sheet rock (dry wall mud will fix if you goof)

It's what Primeacoustics, etc ship with their acoustic foam btw.

Liquid Nails X2

I am embarrassed how much Auralex I wasted my money on in my life, but I have installed 200 panels easily. Liquid Nails will hold Lenrds too.
At the time I had no idea what I was doing.
My studio looks good but sounds like dog crap...The stuff is ambient / tone killer in the hands of a rookie.

[faeflora]

Caulk is cheaper than liquid nails and works just as well.

Unless it's heavy foam.

[RichT]

If you wanna save money on buying more Auralex if you need to move your stuff or reposition try fixing the foam to thin 5mm Hardboard leaving an overhang on any sides to allow screw holes, nails etc.

You can then either mount the hardboard direct to the wall or hang the foam like a picture.

Cheers,
Rich

[jho]

RichT - that avatar is a little disturbing.

How about some Juggies from The Man Show instead?

*Disclaimer* This picture of Vanessa Juggy from The Man Show posted ONLY as a favor to RichT. Any further looking at the picture is prohibited.

[RichT]

Originally posted by jho
RichT - that avatar is a little disturbing.

How about some Juggies from The Man Show instead?

*Disclaimer* This picture of Vanessa Juggy from The Man Show posted ONLY as a favor to RichT. Any further looking at the picture is prohibited.

Yeah, you're right. I found a picture uglier than the nekkid men - my face.

Nice juggies.

[jho]

Nice Mug

[springs]

Hey, just to follow up, I got this really thin stuff - hard to describe, it almost looks like wood-backed formica-ish stuff, but flexible - at Home Creepo in their little cut-out bin. It was just the basically the thinnest stuff I could find. I used 3M extra strength spray adhesive and attached it to the foam - drove 2 nails thru the foam and backing and the Auralex is hanging on the walls no problemo!

Only bad part is the little nail holes for us renters - a spackle and pain will patch it up, as was said above, if you need to worry about such things. I'm feeling guilty spraying the 3M shit (chemicals...aerosol...great for the environment!) but damn, it kicks ass. Thanks.

[angus90210]

I used button cap roofing nails with green caps, and finish nails. length of your choice in my last studio. Worked well for ten years
Rob