Does Blu Tack exist in America?

[uncle_al]

- Saunders UHU Tac Removable Adhesive Putty
- 3M Scotch Removeable Adhesive Putty
- DAP® BLUESTIK™ Reusable Adhesive Putty
- Elmer's-Tack Removable Adhesive Putty (aka Elmer's Poster Tack)
- DUCK Poster Putty
- Sticky Putty
- Sticky Tack
- Velcro Sticky Fix Tak

As to the question of which leaves less residue on walls and paper, I'd venture to say that the Elmer's and the DUCK might be better in that area, only because they bill themselves as "poster" products.
This would, of course, be subject to scientific verification...

Al B.
All disclaimers apply, including this one.  Your mileage may vary.  Not valid where prohibited, taxed, or regulated.  Professional driver on closed course.  Don't try this at home... we ARE professionals.

[pburger]

Since Google finds this topic so easlily, I figured I would reply, even though the topic it a bit old.

Yes we products similar to Blu Tack here in the U.S.

Here is a probably rather incomplete list of some that I know of:

- Saunders UHU Tac Removable Adhesive Putty
- 3M Scotch Removeable Adhesive Putty
- DAP® BLUESTIK™ Reusable Adhesive Putty
- Elmer's-Tack Removable Adhesive Putty (aka Elmer's Poster Tack)
- DUCK Poster Putty
- Sticky Putty
- Sticky Tack
- Velcro Sticky Fix Tak

So it looks like about every major adhesive company in the U.S. has some version of it. Now which is the best that does not leave a stain on the walls or on the paper?

[uncle_al]

Reminds me of the times when I was frequenting science fiction conventions...
In the "con suite", a [usually] 24-hour place where one could get beer, pop, munchies, and [sometimes] real food, the conversations at 2:00 AM were often quite interesting.  I remember someone trying to tie together chaos theory, superstring physics, and Warner Bros. cartoons...
Oooooh... scary.

Cheers!
Al B.

[ScriptNurse]

Ain't it grand? 

[ElPolloDiablo]

Thanks all.

Who'd have thought that we'd all have a long and involved discussion about Blu-Tack and sticky tape!

[rnbrewer]

Al is correct. Blu Tack or Sticky Tack as it is most commonly reffered to here in America does exist. But I agree with Don. Unless there's some sort of significant meaning behind the Blu Tack I was would also call it tape.

[uncle_al]

BluTac does exist here, at least in the Upper Midwest.  I don't know if it's trademarked or not, but we also have non-colored (putty color) "generics".  If it is significant, you can call it "tack putty", I should think.

Otherwise, tape would work... for a time.  (Thermal expansion & contraction of the window would break down the adhesive after a time.

Cheers!

Al B.

[ElPolloDiablo]

Unless it's significant, just use "tape."

I thought about using tape. The problem is that my character has to hang up several pieces of paper in real-time and I just assumed blu-tack would be quicker.

Oh well, I'll stick with the sticky-tape!

[ScriptNurse]

Unless it's significant, just use "tape."

[ElPolloDiablo]

I've never heard of Blu Tack being used here, but that doesn't mean it isn't. I'm constantly reminded that I don't know everything.
My experience with brand names, etc, is that a polite letter will get you permission to use them in a literary work. After all, for them it's  free advertising, especially if millions of people hear it mentioned or even featured in a film. Be careful, though. Some folks are mighty touchy about how their product is portrayed. For instance, if a bottle is used as a weapon, notice it's always nondescript, never a Coke or Pepsi bottle.

Thanks for the reply. I'm not writing the "Blu Tack" story or anything I've got a scene where a character attaches paper to a window and I'm wondering what he should use. Because it's glass, the character can't use thumbtacks (or "drawing pins" as they're called over here).

My question to my American friends is this... if you wanted to put up a poster in a window, what would you use? 

[LloJo]

I've never heard of Blu Tack being used here, but that doesn't mean it isn't. I'm constantly reminded that I don't know everything.
My experience with brand names, etc, is that a polite letter will get you permission to use them in a literary work. After all, for them it's  free advertising, especially if millions of people hear it mentioned or even featured in a film. Be careful, though. Some folks are mighty touchy about how their product is portrayed. For instance, if a bottle is used as a weapon, notice it's always nondescript, never a Coke or Pepsi bottle.

[ElPolloDiablo]

Hi all,

Here in England, we use something call Blu Tack. It's like a sticky putty-like substance, used in offices for holding up posters on walls etc.

Do you have something similar in America, perhaps Blue Tac itself? If so, am I okay in typing "Bob hung the poster on his wall using Blue Tac"?
Or is Blue Tac a brand name that should be avoided.

Please help me before I come to "sticky" end!