To hang lining paper for painting, you generally follow a process involving preparation, cutting, pasting, and careful application to the wall, working methodically strip by strip.
Hanging lining paper is a crucial step before painting, helping to create a smooth, even surface that hides minor wall imperfections and provides a stable base for paint. Based on the provided reference steps, the process involves preparing your starting point, handling the paper correctly, and ensuring a neat finish.
Here's a breakdown of the key steps:
1. Create a Start Guide Line
Before you begin, you need to know where your first strip of paper will go. Creating a guide line is essential for ensuring that your first strip is perfectly vertical. Use a plumb bob or a level to draw a straight line down the wall, typically starting near a corner or door frame.
2. Cutting Your Lining Paper
Next, you'll need to cut your lining paper to the correct length. Measure the height of your wall from the ceiling to the skirting board, and add a few extra inches (usually around 2-4 inches) to allow for trimming at the top and bottom. Cut your strips using sharp scissors or a utility knife.
3. Applying Paste
The adhesive is key to making the paper stick. Apply paste evenly to the back of the cut lining paper strip. Ensure full coverage, paying particular attention to the edges. Some modern lining papers might be 'paste the wall', in which case you apply the paste directly to the wall section where the paper will hang. Check the paper's instructions.
4. Walking the Plank
This step likely refers to the process of folding the pasted paper (often called 'booking') and carefully handling it before hanging. Once pasted, fold each end of the paper towards the center, pasted sides together, without creasing the fold line. This allows the paste to soak in evenly and makes the strip easier to manage.
5. Hang the First Strip
Now it's time to hang the first strip onto the wall. Align one edge of the pasted paper with the guide line you created earlier. Starting from the top, gently press the paper against the wall, working your way downwards.
6. Smooth The Edges
Once the paper is on the wall, smooth out the strip using a wallpaper brush or a plastic smoother. Work from the center outwards to remove air bubbles and excess paste. Pay special attention to smoothing the edges to ensure they adhere well to the wall.
7. Create a Crease
At the top and bottom of the wall, where the paper overlaps the ceiling and skirting board, you need to create a crease. Use the back of your scissors or a smoothing tool to firmly press the paper into the angle where the wall meets the adjacent surface. This creates a sharp line to guide your trimming.
8. Trimming the Paper
Finally, trim the excess paper using a sharp utility knife and a straight edge (like a smoothing tool or ruler). Carefully cut along the crease line you just made at both the top and bottom of the strip for a clean finish. Wipe away any excess paste from the wall and the paper surface with a damp cloth.
Repeat these steps for subsequent strips, butt jointing the edges closely together without overlapping. Hanging lining paper effectively prepares your walls for a professional-looking paint finish.
