I promised someone I'd attach a cushioning-material to the underside of a heavy marble sculpture (300lbs or so), so it doesn't ruin her wood floor should she need to move it a few inches.
Felt seems too insubstantial for such a heavy thing, so I was thinking I'd use a FLOR carpet tile, cut to size.
How to affix? Contact cement? Obviously, I don't want to use anything too permanent, and I don't want to apply anything that would harm the sculpture.
(Sorry for this tedious technical question, but online sculpture-related forums don't get much traffic, and I need a response this year.)
Considering the weight...
I would cut a piece of carpet in the shape of the base minus 1/2" all around. Any kind of fabric fibre, but especially the ones used in carpets have a low friction coefficient against wood or wood finishes.
The easiest way is to use contact glue. It will not penetrate the marble and you will be able to peel it off if need be.
Felt pad
I'd use a good quality thicker felt (like you can get for a rug pad) Don't know if I'd use a piece of carpet as I'd worry about synthetic fibers off-gassing and possibly leaving an mark in the floor finish.
You can use a spray adhesive to attach it to the base or not. It should slide easily enough over a hardwood floor if you need to shift it.
Many thanks for your responses.
I was leaning toward carpet over felt because I think the weight of the sculpture would make mincemeat of felt, after it was moved a few times (doesn't felt tend to shred?)
In any case, your responses make me feel a bit more confident in tackling this chore (it's actually a simple task, but the sheer weight of the thing kinda terrifies me-- because I'm incapable of lifting it myself, I feel somewhat inept.)
This carpet pad
comes to mind. It is great quality. I have had mine for a few weeks now.
3M repositionable spray mount may be a good adhesive for the task.
If it dries with a light dust on the pad only, it should not leave any
adhesive on the sculpture and just create a light, almost magnetic, cling.
A small concern, with the weight involved, and fluctuating temp.,
a rubber coating like the pad i linked, may want to stick to the floor?
Felts come in thick densities and crappy shredding varieties.
One i recently used pulled apart like a cotton ball!
I initially thought of some of the rubber pads from mcmaster-carr used to
put under heavy equipment. But may leave a mark on the floor.
I do really like the quality of this one...
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Superior-Hard-Surface-and-Carpet-Ru...
Carpet
or felt seem like the best suggestions, then.
Rubber-backed carpet, placed upside down between the marble and the floor, would probably not shift its position at all as you slide the sculpture here and there. An old (or new) rubber-backed bath mat, cut to the right shape, would do just fine, wouldn't it ?
go to the source
When any type of adhesive is involved it is always advisable to contact the source (in this case 3M) and supply the specifics (exact material to be bonded and bond required) to their technical department. They are always glad to help. Never trust any generic "evrything to everyone" hardware store adhesive. Good luck!
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