Pasting wallpaper to a wall involves preparing the wall, applying paste to the wallpaper or wall (depending on the wallpaper type), carefully aligning the wallpaper, smoothing out air bubbles, and trimming excess. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Prepare the Wall:
- Clean the wall: Remove any dirt, dust, grease, or existing wallpaper. Wash the wall with a mild detergent and water, then rinse and let it dry completely.
- Repair imperfections: Fill any holes, cracks, or dents with spackle or wall filler. Sand the patched areas smooth once dry.
- Prime the wall: Apply a wallpaper primer to create a smooth, even surface for the wallpaper to adhere to. Primer also helps with future wallpaper removal. Allow the primer to dry completely.
2. Prepare the Wallpaper:
- Measure the wall: Measure the height of the wall you'll be wallpapering and add a few inches to the top and bottom for trimming.
- Cut the wallpaper: Cut the wallpaper into strips according to your measurements. If your wallpaper has a pattern, be sure to match the pattern when cutting subsequent strips. It's often easiest to number the back of each strip in order.
3. Apply Paste (If Applicable):
- Determine if your wallpaper is pre-pasted: Some wallpapers are pre-pasted and only require water to activate the adhesive. If yours is not pre-pasted, you will need to apply wallpaper paste.
- Apply paste to the wallpaper (for non-pasted wallpaper): Lay the wallpaper strip face down on a clean, flat surface (like a pasting table or a large piece of plastic). Apply the wallpaper paste evenly to the back of the wallpaper, working from the center outwards. Ensure you cover the entire surface, paying close attention to the edges.
- Book the wallpaper (for non-pasted wallpaper): Fold the pasted wallpaper strip in half, paste-side to paste-side, being careful not to crease the fold. This is called "booking." Booking allows the paste to activate and prevents the edges from drying out. Let the wallpaper "book" for the recommended time (usually 5-10 minutes) as per the manufacturer's instructions. Some "paste the wall" papers don't need booking at all.
4. Apply the Wallpaper to the Wall:
- Position the first strip: Carefully unfold the top half of the booked wallpaper strip. Align the top edge of the wallpaper with the ceiling (allowing for the extra inches you added for trimming).
- Smooth the wallpaper: Use a wallpaper smoothing brush or a plastic smoother to gently smooth the wallpaper onto the wall, working from the center outwards and downwards. This will remove any air bubbles and ensure good adhesion.
- Unfold the bottom half: Unfold the bottom half of the wallpaper strip and repeat the smoothing process.
5. Trim Excess Wallpaper:
- Trim the top and bottom: Use a sharp utility knife or wallpaper trimming knife and a straightedge to trim the excess wallpaper at the top and bottom of the wall. Make sure your knife is sharp to avoid tearing the wallpaper.
6. Repeat for Subsequent Strips:
- Align the pattern: When applying the next strip, carefully align the pattern with the previous strip.
- Overlap or butt seams (depending on the wallpaper type): Some wallpapers require a slight overlap at the seams, while others require the edges to be butted together. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific wallpaper.
- Smooth and trim: Smooth the wallpaper strip and trim any excess as before.
7. Clean Up:
- Wipe away excess paste: Use a damp sponge to wipe away any excess paste from the seams and the surface of the wallpaper.
