Wall protection from plywood

[jkd]

For TV wall mounts, I typically affix a nice piece of birch plywood to the wall, through the studs, and then mount the TV mount to the plywood. This gives me a little more flexibility with the TV mount and not having to line up the studs to the mount itself.

However, after being mounted for several years, if you try and remove the setup, the plywood will "stick" to the paint/drywall and will sometimes peel off portions of the paint/drywall when trying to pry the plywood off the wall. The interior walls have an orange peel texture, which I'm sure is not helping.

Anyone have any recommendations on how to prevent that from happening? I was thinking of maybe covering the backside of the plywood with painters tape?

 

[FMB4]

This, unfortunately, is typical with latex paint. I'd recommend 4 or so 'stand-offs' to reduce this issue. You could also, of course, apply painter's tape to such stand-offs.

 

[mike93lx]

I just use good anchors and go to the drywall if it is not an articulating mount. You should be able to always hit one stud and tv's are super light today. For an articulating mount, I grab two studs

 

[Bucko]

First you have to let the new paint reach full cure, then you could cover the back of the plywood with a 4 or 6 mil plastic and use painters tape at the edge to hold it in place till attached. Or you can just leave the mounts when you move and you won't even need to patch the holes. Most new buyers see the mounts as a feeebie, then if they gotta move it then it's their problem.

 

[PoorUB]

No matter what you put on the back side of the plywood the paint will eventually stick to it.
I solved the the problem by mounting the TV to a cabinet I use for the cable box and surrounf sound amp, but you need a fairly stout cabinet!

 

[rlitman]

The right release agent should prevent this, but it might also either damage the paint, or prevent proper adhesion of future paint, or both, so let's move on.

I would suggest easing the back corners of the plywood. Just a touch of sanding will reduce the pressure at the edges, and might help reduce how badly it pulls paint, and stop the corners from digging in. Then use polyethylene sheeting (a trash bag will work) as a barrier between the wall and plywood. The polyethylene will NOT stick to the plywood, and being flexible, it should be easier to peel off of the paint without damage than the wood itself, even if the paint starts to stick to it.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

What about some felt, clost or even this styrofoam pads?
But honestly I wouldn't trust screwing the bracket just plywood with short sctrews, I'd rather bolt the bracket to the studs.

 

[BarryWells]

Ummmm. Paint the plywood before you attach it

 

[charbar]

Felt was my first thought too, but over time the fibers would probably stick in the paint.

I like the trash bag sandwiched between the wall and plywood idea mentioned above the best so far

 

[PoorUB]

About the only thing I could think of would be thin walled spacers, the length would need to be a bit longer than the thickness of the sheet rock. The spacers hold the plywood off the wall. One screw and spacer in each corner and all you would have to repair would be four ~3/8" holes.

Really, I never worried about it! We are planning on moving in the next couple years so we are slowing going around the house, repairing dings and dents and painting. Like I said earlier I mounted the TV to the electronics cabinet and then fixed the holes in the wall. We have had 3-4 different TVs on that wall and some shelving. I never repaired any of the holes because the TV and electronics cabinet hid the wall. It looked like the far end of a shooting range! I got all the holes filled and primed waiting on finish paint so it looks much better!

 

[no704]

I have no experience with this, **** would suggest using wax paper out of the wife’s kitchen.

 

[Mr_fixit]

I'd mount it to the studs, through the drywall. screws are usually at least 2 inches. That's how they're designed to be mounted. Not to a 3/4" piece of plywood. Much smaller spot to fix, too.

 

[jbfsr]

Cover back of plywood with freezer paper. Shinny side toward wall.

 

[DHCrocks]

wax paper, should not stick and peel off and is readily available. Plastic sheets when they get old get all brittle and crumble to dust they also will stick to things given enough time and pressure. I have had stuff stored for years cover in plastic and it was such a mess trying to clean the stuff up.

 

[rayra]

Why is it (the plywood) ever coming off?

Too, why isn't it plywood instead of drywall?

/and even in these inflationary times when drywall costs are up 100%, it's still only $11 / 4x8 sheet.

 

[FredWanaker]

get friends with a dry wall guy. Have him do any other areas at the same time. We have orange peel in the bathrooms and I had to cut an inspection hole 25 years ago that I covered the patch with a cabinet. We wanted to remove the cabinet. My drywall guy repaired the damage, textured it and you cannot see where it was the blending is so good. He also repaired the other bathroom where wallpaper the PO put on damaged the orange peel. When we move we are leaving the TV and wall mount. They can decide what to do with it when it dies. They are so inexpensive now.

 

[rlitman]

wax paper, should not stick and peel off and is readily available. Plastic sheets when they get old get all brittle and crumble to dust they also will stick to things given enough time and pressure. I have had stuff stored for years cover in plastic and it was such a mess trying to clean the stuff up.

Polyethylene is UV sensitive. Stored in sunlight, yes, it gets crusty. Between drywall and plywood, it will outlast the pyramids. Also, I mentioned polyethylene plastic, because it does not make use of plasticizers. Plasticizers will migrate into the paint over time, making it gummy.

Wax WILL migrate through latex paint. Wax is one of those stains that travels through latex paint over the years. Whether or not the wax paper damages the paint, I couldn't say.

 

[kbs2244]

I would go with the polyethylene

 

[FredWanaker]

piece of laminate cut to the size of the plywood with the smooth side towards the drywall. Maybe put some carnuba wax on it and let it dry for a day first then wipe.

 

[Jacko264]

How about cling film on the back of the plywood

 

[jkd]

I'm a renter, and I move frequently, so this has become an issue for me as repairing orange peel textured walls (which seems to be every wall in Northern CA) is a huge pain.

A contractor buddy of mine suggested Tyvek which is the solution I think I'm going to try. Thanks for everyone's suggestions!