Command Picture Hanging Strips Variety Value Pack, 4-Small and 8-Medium Strips (17203-ES)

I've been using these for at least 6 months, and I've waited to write a review until now so that I can give a full picture on whether they are truly as great as some people say they are. Great idea? yes, great concept and execution? That's what I'm here to answer.

I use these for the pictures that hang along my stairway. I decided to hang my children's artwork along the wall with almost no space in-between the frames, so I needed a LOT of frames and a perfect hanging technique. Since I don't have a ton of money or 6 hands to get that perfect picture hanging down, I decided to use cheap picture frames and these strips to hang them.

First I got a lot of frames from the dollar store and then had the kids paint the frames all different colors, then I got the Medium Picture hanging strips from 3M.

After reading the reviews I decided to follow the directions EXACTLY, with one minor alteration. Since, again, I don't have a ton of money - and these are pretty expensive, I cut the Medium Strips lengthwise and got double for my money.

I prepared the back of the frames using a cotton swab with alcohol (LET IT DRY)- if the frame was really smooth I used a needle to scratch up the finish figuring it would help it to adhere. Then after it dried I attached the already cut strip to the middle of frame - instead of the top because it made more sense to me.

Then I took this frame and held it up to where I wanted it to hang and prepped the wall with the alcohol. After it dried, I lightly attached the second strip to the strip already on the frame by only pressing the top and bottom edge and removed the backing. I held it up to the wall and used a shish-kabob skewer to keep the strip to the wall as I removed the frame.

The instructions said to let it wait an hour before hanging the frame back up. I found that an hour wasn't always sufficient (because my prep wasn't great? because I used 1/2 a strip? I don't know) However, if I let it sit overnight - SUCCESS! I've now had them hanging for months with no problems. I will press on them every once in a while to assure they don't knock off. After all, this is on a stairway and people can brush by them if they are not careful.

I honestly believe that if you don't clean the area with alcohol or give it enough time to adhere - you are going to have problems like the other people on these reviews. It probably helps using lightweight frames - and the dollar store 8X10 frames are pretty light, but I have used a whole strip instead of a 1/2 strip to the heavier frames and they've worked just fine too.

One other note. It took me forever to do the entire staircase because I could only prep a few at a time each day to give it enough time to adhere so I could measure the next frame correctly. So it was a lengthy process. It was all worth it though because now I can just yank off a frame and put in their newest artwork quite easily and it's one of my favorite places to walk because it looks so good, the edges are so straight and nothing wobbles or leans to one side.

Another great thing to use strips for are the frames that you've nailed to the wall. These can sometimes tilt so I'll use the poster strips for them to keep them in place and let the nail hold the weight of the frame. I also use the poster strips (2 per velcro strip) to re-use the velcro strips once I've taken them off the wall. Haven't had any problems with them either.

Good luck - prep and prepare to wait for a FANTASTIC finish to your framed art and photos. Don't let these other reviews throw you off!

I was delighted when I found this product having just moved w/ freshly painted walls. I followed the instructions to the letter and all was great for 1 month then my pictures began to fall off the walls. Nothing I hung was over the recommended weights. Out of 15 different wall hangings 8 have fallen off the wall. In the process the glass shattered on three of the frames, two decorative plates were broken beyond repair and my new hard wood floors were damaged and the paint on the walls has been chipped. It is going to be a rather expensive to pay for all the damage caused by this product not performing as advertised. My advice DO NOT PURCHASE.

I used the strips and the picture fell off the wall and the glass broke. Another picture was up for 6 weeks, then with a little hot weather the picture fell off the wall. I used more strips than recommended for the weight of the picture. The only good thing was that they came off the wall fine. Can't believe the cost for something that doesn't work consistently. Would not take a chance with hanging anything of value.

I hung several pictures with these. Two fell off the wall. Shattered one expensive frame which landed on a desk that is now all scratched up. Will never use them again.
Applied them as directed, even used more than needed. I think is must be the humidity. Don't get your hopes up on this prodcut. Might work for posters but, not reliable for anything else.

I used this product to hang approximately 15 pictures and followed the directions exactly. As of today (five months later), 6 of the 15 pictures have fallen. Seems like I lose about 1 month, so my guess is that it is only a matter of time until they all go. The unrealible nature of this product has already caused substaionally more damage than would have been done by using nails (damaged frames, and in some of the cases shattered glass, chipped wood flooring, and pulled plaster off the wall).

I too am unhappy with the 3m velcro strips. With thick plaster walls we thought this was the answer to our framed print needs however after following all directions correctly, and being initially thrilled with how nice everything looked, nearly one month to do the day that I hung them they started falling from the wall. First, my largest frame fell and the next day another fell. Both frames were cracked and glass broken. Even a small child's frame that weighs less than 1/2 pound suddenly fell from the wall last night. After reading the reviews and realizing that I am not the only one that has had problems with these strips I thought I would share my experience as well.

I will NOT trust my frames to these strips ever again and think that 3M should refund the cost of damaged frames/walls and floors from falling items.

I use these to mount carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors for my clients. No drilling, screwing and damaged walls or ceilings. They come off older paint very well although they do not seem to stick to newly painted wall too well.

I was very excited about this product because putting holes in my brand new condo walls just did not appeal to me. However, after following the directions EXACTLY and waiting 10 hours before attempting to hang my 3 pound picture, my picture came crashing to the ground, taking this 3M product and a piece of my premium wall paint with it. I've tried rehanging with this product 3 times now, and got the same result. Although I avoided adding a miniscule hole to my wall, I have instead a chunk of paint missing from my wall and a scratch on the floor where the picture landed. Maybe it's the type of paint on my wall that made it incompatible with the product, however, I didn't see anything about this in the instructions. I will not be buying this product again. I'm going back to old-fashioned nails.