Okay, here is the exact answer to the question "How to install wallpaper on wood?", incorporating the provided information.
Installing wallpaper on a wood surface requires careful preparation to ensure good adhesion and a lasting finish. It's not simply sticking paper onto wood; you need to create a suitable base first.
Here's a straightforward guide to installing wallpaper on wood:
1. Prepare the Wood Surface
Proper preparation is the most critical step when wallpapering over wood.
- Clean Thoroughly: Start by cleaning the wood surface. Remove any dirt, dust, grease, or grime. A mild detergent and water solution followed by a rinse and thorough drying works well.
- Address Imperfections: Fill any holes, cracks, or gouges in the wood using wood filler or spackle. Allow it to dry completely, then sand the patched areas smooth so they are flush with the surrounding surface.
- Sand: Lightly sand the entire wood surface to create a slight 'tooth' for better adhesion. This is especially important if the wood is very smooth or has a glossy finish. Wipe away all sanding dust.
- Prime is Essential: Wood is often porous and can contain tannins or stains that might bleed through the wallpaper over time. Applying a high-quality, stain-blocking primer (like a shellac-based or oil-based primer) is crucial. Apply at least one, and preferably two, coats of primer. This seals the wood, prevents bleed-through, and provides a consistent surface for the wallpaper adhesive. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Gather Your Tools and Materials
Having the right tools makes the job easier and yields better results.
- Wallpaper (ensure it's suitable for the location and intended use)
- Wallpaper adhesive (if using unpasted wallpaper)
- Primer (stain-blocking)
- Cleaning supplies
- Wood filler or spackle
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Measuring tape
- Level or plumb bob
- Utility knife with plenty of sharp blades
- Seam roller
- Wallpaper smoothing tool (like the ROMAN wallpaper smoothing tool)
- Wallpaper brush or roller for paste
- Water bucket and sponge
- Drop cloths
- Straight edge or metal ruler
3. Mark Your Starting Point
Unless starting in a corner, use a level or plumb bob to draw a straight vertical line on the wall. This ensures your first strip is hung perfectly straight, which is vital for alignment of subsequent strips.
4. Hang the Wallpaper Strips
Whether your wallpaper is pre-pasted (requiring activation with water) or unpasted (requiring paste applied to the paper or the wall), follow these steps:
- Cut your first strip a few inches longer than the height of the wall.
- Apply paste if needed (either to the paper or the wall, depending on your wallpaper type).
- Align the edge of the strip with your plumb line.
- Unfold the top half of the paper and place it on the wall, with the top overlapping onto the ceiling by 2 – 3 inches. This overlap gives you room to trim for a perfect fit later.
- Use your hands to smooth the paper gently onto the wall, working from the top down and from the center outwards.
- Smooth out air bubbles and creases. To further smooth out the air bubbles and creases in hard-to-reach corners, use a wallpaper smoothing tool like the ROMAN wallpaper smoothing tool mentioned in the reference. Work trapped air towards the edges so it can escape.
5. Trim Excess and Finish
Once the strip is smoothly in place:
- Use your utility knife and a straight edge to carefully trim the excess paper at the top (along the ceiling line) and bottom (along the baseboard). Always use a very sharp blade for clean cuts.
- Wipe off any excess paste from the paper surface or seams with a damp sponge.
- Use a seam roller to gently press down the seams, ensuring they are firmly adhered.
Repeat the process for subsequent strips, carefully matching the pattern at the seams and smoothing each strip thoroughly before trimming.
By properly preparing the wood surface with cleaning, sanding, and most importantly, priming, and then carefully applying the wallpaper strips using smoothing techniques as described, you can achieve a smooth, professional wallpaper installation on wood.
