Asked on Jan 07, 2013

How to mount paper to the backside of glass? Need advise on clear adhesive.

Jeanine Wester
by Jeanine Wester
I would like to mount old maps to the bottom of a glass insert in a coffee table I'm redoing. How can I 'stick' the map to the underside of the glass so it's clear and the glue doesn't cloud the map or streak (even show for that matter)? Any good adhesive that's pretty much crystal clear? I already have matte and gloss mod podge that I could try but I only get one shot at this so any advice would be welcome, thanks in advance!!
  9 answers
  • I would suggest that you get another clear glass and sandwich it between the two. Any adhesive even if it was clear at the onset, may yellow over time. Using the glass allows you to change it up from time to time.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jan 08, 2013
    some very thin plywood could work too. The sandwich idea may require some mods to the table to accommodate the extra thickness.
  • Z Z on Jan 09, 2013
    A picture of the back side of your table would help but I'm thinking you might be able to use a sturdy piece of cardboard instead of wood or glass (if the area isn't too big) clipped in using glazing points as shown in this picture.... http://plumdoodles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Glazing-Points-in-Frame.jpg
  • Jeanine Wester Jeanine Wester on Jan 21, 2013
    Thanks so much for the advice, sorry for delayed response, but I appreciated all of your suggestions! (got the flu and didn't want to get on the computer lol) I ended up mounting the paper to a separate board and then screwing the board underneath the bottom of the coffee table. you can see through the glass to the maps I mounted on the boards.
  • Z Z on Jan 21, 2013
    That looks great Jeanine.
  • Ann Ann on Jul 26, 2015
    Excellent solution and interesting how the comments were trending towards the idea of using backing material.
  • Angela Meyer Angela Meyer on Aug 22, 2015
    I am thinking of doing the same with fabric....... Mod Podge? Any suggestions?
    • See 2 previous
    • Rose Rose on Oct 19, 2015
      I have a feeling that the spray may show but I will try it on a small pc of glass to check it out. Will let you know the outcome. If it doesn't seem to work then I think I will get a piece of foam core which is inexpensive and very light weight and use the backing method. Thanks for all the great suggestions !
  • Judy Judy on Mar 06, 2016
    Rubber cement. When the cement dries, it won't be all bubbly.
  • Anne f Anne f on Mar 06, 2016
    I think there is a dry clear mod podge, as they do for family pictures on wood pieces. They dry clear and don't mar the pic. Ask at craft store which one to buy. I think doing the podge on the cardboard then put on map;then podge the map on and u could use picture clips or peelaway silicone.Draft stop stuff to attack to table.