Wallpaper paste vs mod podge: Well butter my biscuits, who knew there were so many differences between run-of-the-mill wallpaper paste and hoity-toity Mod Podge?
Now go grab an It’s-It, put on your Birkenstocks, and let’s get sticking!
Wallpaper Paste vs Mod Podge: What’s The Difference?
Here is the key difference between Wallpaper Paste vs Mod Podge:
My Hands-on Test of (Zinsser Suregrip) Wallpaper Paste
✅Pros
I found this wallpaper paste to be perfect for reinforcing and sticking peel-and-stick wallpaper. It’s incredibly easy to use, and its excellent adhesion makes the wallpapering process a breeze.
I papered two walls in my bathroom using this adhesive. The first wall went very smoothly, and no seams were visible. The paste allowed me to move the paper as needed, ensuring that the seams were perfectly aligned.
Performance
In terms of its performance, this adhesive works to a certain extent. It doesn’t adhere as well to rigid products as advertised, so keep that in mind. However, when it comes to covering the ends of cabinets with heavy beadboard wallpaper, this stuff worked great! Even though the cabinet ends were pretty rough, the adhesive held everything in place. I ended up painting the end of the cabinet with the paste instead of the paper since it was a small job.
Peel-and-stick wallpaper in My Kitchen
I had a situation where I purchased some peel-and-stick wallpaper for a small area in my kitchen, but the paper kept falling down as it wasn’t very sticky. To salvage the situation, I bought this wallpaper paste, hoping it would save the day. And it did! Applying the glue to the paper was incredibly easy, and it stayed wet long enough for me to place it correctly. When I smoothed the paper, the excess glue came out at the end, but I simply used a damp sponge to wipe it away. I made sure to clean as I went along to avoid leaving any sticky residue on my counters. So far, the wallpaper has been staying up with no issues, and I’m very happy with the results!
When I used it to hang Lincrusta paper over plaster in a hallway, and it was a successful application. The adhesive worked flawlessly.
❌Cons
However, when I used it was to apply grass cloth to foam core board panels on a ceiling in a sunroom. This time, it wasn’t successful. The paste is apparently designed to be strippable, but I didn’t want to ever strip the paper. Unfortunately, the paper just slipped off, so I had to resort to an adhesive for foam board that wasn’t designed for stripping. So, while this product would generally work fine, it didn’t work well in the second case.
FAQ of Zinsser Suregrip Wallpaper Paste
Q: What quantity of this wallpaper paste is needed for 6 rolls of wallpaper?
A: Typically, it only covers approximately 1 double roll of wallpaper. It is designed for use with border paper, considering the small quantity in the bucket. Alternatively, you can find gallon-sized buckets at Lowes and Home Depot for the same price. I have personally used it for 4 double rolls and still had half of the bucket remaining.
Q: Is it possible to apply this wallpaper paste on top of existing wallpaper?
A: Yes, it can be used on top of old wallpaper. Just ensure that the old paper is properly adhered to the wall, and this wallpaper paste will effectively bond the new product to the existing wallpaper.
Q: Can these 3-D tiles be installed on the ceiling?
A: Absolutely! They work exceptionally well. Once you apply them, hold them in place for 2 seconds, and they will start to dry. The adhesive provides a strong bond.
Q: Can I use this wallpaper paste to attach PVC to concrete?
A: It is not suitable for gluing a PVC pipe to concrete.
Q: Is this wallpaper paste suitable for concrete walls?
A: Concrete walls might be too rough for this wallpaper paste. If the surface is smooth, it should work effectively.
Q: Can I use this wallpaper paste for paper wallpaper?
A: Yes, this wallpaper paste is specifically designed for paper wallpaper. However, I would exercise caution. It has the potential to promote mold growth, so it is not ideal for humid areas like bathrooms.
Q: Can I use this wallpaper paste to apply peel-and-stick backsplash? The 3M adhesive spray isn’t holding the sheets well.
A: While it might work, I wouldn’t recommend using this wallpaper paste for peel-and-stick backsplash. This product tends to attract mold, making it unsuitable for wet areas.
Q: Do I need to keep all doors and windows closed during and after applying the wallpaper adhesive? What about the AC/heater?
A: The paste dries quickly, so you do not need to close doors/windows or adjust the AC/heater.
Q: Is this wallpaper paste safe for use in apartments or rental properties?
A: This is not a peel-and-stick product. It is a wallpaper paste that can be stripped off. However, I wouldn’t recommend using it in a rental property where you want to ensure the return of your deposit. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a better option, as it leaves no damage upon removal and does not require paste.
Q: I bought this paste, but when the temperature dropped, my tiles started falling off the wall. How long does this product last?
A: It seems you may have mistaken this product for another. This wallpaper paste is intended for wallpaper, not tiles. It may not provide sufficient holding power for tiles.
Q: How long does it take for this wallpaper paste to dry?
A: The adhesive sticks to the wall immediately upon application and does not noticeably shrink the wallpaper. It is challenging to determine the exact drying time.
Q: Can I apply this wallpaper paste on a ceramic surface?
A: While it is possible, I’m unsure if the adhesion will be satisfactory. I would recommend using a paint primer specifically designed for ceramic surfaces before applying this wallpaper paste.
Q: How long should I wait for the adhesive to dry before hanging things on the walls?
A: Although I did not personally hang anything on the wall afterward, the adhesive dries fairly quickly.
Q: If the paste gets on the wall, will it dry clear or should it be washed off?
A: Rest assured, it will dry clear as E6000. You might want to check my analysis on does e6000 white dry clear as well. Furthermore, once dry, it is easy to remove if necessary.
Q: Can this product be used to install 3D wall panels?
A: Unfortunately, I found that this wallpaper paste was not strong enough for the weight of 3D wall panels.
My Hands-on Test of Mod Podge
✅Pros
I’ve discovered numerous uses for Mod Podge. It’s perfect for sealing vinyl stickers on our baby’s docband. The Mod Podge dries quickly and clear, ensuring the stickers stay in place. I found that applying it with a sponge brush worked well, even though it doesn’t come with one. I applied it about three times to ensure the stickers wouldn’t lift off.
Perfect Sealer
Furthermore, Mod Podge is excellent for cosplay and other small projects that require painting. It acts as a perfect sealer, drying clear and allowing you to paint over it. I personally used it to paint my Nintendo Switch case, and it sealed it very nicely. The application process was effortless.
Wood Board and the Cardstock
Recently, I used Mod Podge for a wedding project. Originally, I planned to put vinyl lettering onto a wooden board, but I quickly realized it would be challenging. Instead, I opted for having my words written on 80lb cardstock and glued it onto the wooden board using Mod Podge. This alternative method worked out great for the project, and I’m delighted with the outcome. I applied Mod Podge onto both the wood board and the cardstock, and after putting them together, I used a rolling pin to smooth it onto the surface. I highly recommend this technique.
❌Cons
When I used this glue for decoupage on my table and TV stand doors, I encountered some issues. The glue was too wet, causing bubbles and tears in the napkins I used. In hindsight, I realize that napkins are better suited for small projects rather than a large table. Surprisingly, even the doors of my TV stand, though small in size, also had bubbles and tears. I’m unsure if it was the glue or the napkins that caused these problems. To salvage the situation, I sprayed water on the table in the affected areas, which helped fix some of the bubbles.
FAQ of Mod Podge
Q: Is Mod Podge suitable for sealing painted designs on wine glasses?
A: Unfortunately, Mod Podge is not washable and can be removed from glass surfaces.
My Latest Updates
👋 Hi! This is Ronald. I just published 2 new articles you may enjoy reading. Feel free to keep reading this one or 👇 check out the new articles anytime.
Q: Is it possible to “glue” a picture onto wood using Mod Podge?
A: Absolutely! Unless your art is so heavy that you need the best glue for mirror to wood, Mod Podge serves as an adhesive and will work for attaching a picture to wood.
Q: Can I leave my painted rocks outside in rainy and snowy conditions?
A: Mod Podge cs11301 is not weather resistant, so it’s not advisable to expose your painted rocks to rain and snow.
Q: How can I transform this Mod Podge into a spray? Can I mix it with water and put it in a spray bottle?
A: It’s unlikely that you can convert it into a spray as it is specifically sold in spray form.
Q: If it freezes, will it be ruined?
A: Freezing the Mod Podge after application will ruin your project. I made this mistake and had to start over. However, I’m not sure about the effects of freezing it while still in the container. Hope that helps! 😄
Q: Will it cause yellowing?
A: It’s been a month and it remains perfectly clear, but it hasn’t been exposed to direct sunlight either. So, as of now, the clarity appears to be good.
Q: Is Mod Podge machine washable?
A: No, Mod Podge is not washable.
Q: Can I use this Mod Podge to create a matte finish on a phone case?
A: Yes! I actually used it on my iPad case!
Q: Can I use this Mod Podge to secure glitter on my decorations?
A: Mod Podge is applied with a brush, and the brush-on application may cause your glitter to come off from the surface.
Q: Is it as sticky as the glossy Mod Podge?
A: In my opinion, it’s not as sticky as the glossy version I mentioned in yes paste vs mod podge, although it still has a moderate level of stickiness. Sometimes, I dilute it with water for certain projects. It can definitely be used as a glue.
Q: Will Mod Podge work for gluing paper to a metal desk?
A: Yes, you can use Mod Podge to glue paper to metal. However, since a water-based product cannot penetrate metal, it would be suitable for decorative purposes only.
Q: Can this Mod Podge be used to stiffen a piece of fabric so I can hang it on the wall?
A: This particular Mod Podge product is an adhesive and not specifically intended for fabric stiffening.
Q: Does it work for gluing glitter onto mason jars?
A: You can use Mod Podge Matte to apply glitter decoratively on a mason jar. However, please note that it is not washable and should be used for decoration purposes only.
Q: Can I use this Mod Podge to seal painted designs on shoes?
A: It’s unlikely. Mod Podge may not be strong enough to repel water, especially if you intend to wear the shoes.
I’m Ronald Stevens, a Mechanical Engineer obsessed with adhesives, glue, and all things sticky! My passion began in childhood when I’d always be the one playing with glue during arts and crafts. And I’d spend hours researching and experimenting. Happy reading, and remember: stick with the best, and you’ll never be stuck in a mess!
Feel free to contact me📧admin@stickyaides.com
