Hanging wallpaper, paste the paper, or the wall?

Do you apply paste to...

  • Paper

    Votes: 15 88.2%

  • Wall

    Votes: 1 5.9%

  • I never decorate

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .
Swissy

Swissy

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So... I'm about to start decorating and i've always applied paste to the wallpaper but have always found it very messy.

Someone pointed me to this video where the paste is applied to the wall, and it looks a lot less messy.


So which method do you use?

Any other tips?
 
Depends on the wallpaper. personally I have never pasted a wall always the paper.
 
The instructions should say.

Having completed my child’s mural wall over the past few days I can say paste the paper, get it properly coated with paste and then pop it over your head while you desperately try and pattern match all sides!
 
Plus the paper sucks in a bit of paste and may need a bit mire paste added to it.
 
Anyone else remember the vinyl paper that was ready pasted that you cut to size and place in a tray of water to soak for a couple of minutes?
That was good, less messy if not somewhat expensive.
Do they still make it?

But to answer the question, it usually say's on the roll, which to do.
Being a bit of a rebel I paste the paper (even if it says wall) I've never had an issue.
 
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Swissy said:
So... I'm about to start decorating and i've always applied paste to the wallpaper but have always found it very messy.

Someone pointed me to this video where the paste is applied to the wall, and it looks a lot less messy.


So which method do you use?

Any other tips?
Click to expand...
Ive only once ever pasted the way as per the instructions, and it was pretty disastrous, with creases that didn't disappear when the paper dried.
 
There's not an option for both, which I would do.
 
Paste-the-wall paper is meant to be an easy way to get a good result for anyone who doesn't hang a lot of the stuff - way less messy too.
I've never used it but know of a couple of pro's who swear by it.

One of the big advantages of pasting the paper is that it expands and softens making it easier to use - it only becomes messy if you use too much paste.
Allow plenty of time for the paper to soak and become supple and its not too difficult - still not a job I enjoy.
Read the instructions on whatever paper you use and take a look at pre-mixed paste as it is usually the ideal consistency (of course this depends on how heavy your paper is..)
Apply the paste with a roller, roll out to the edges of the paper evenly and keep your pasting table clean. Paste a few drops (lengths) at a time, and allow plenty of time for it to soak - I know I mentioned it before, but it is so important. I'd also suggest you cut all the drops to at least one wall before you start, paying attention to the pattern repeats.
 
I always pasted the paper, as per instructions. Always sized the wall as well. Can't remember the brand of size we used to use but it smelled of wet dog! (Actually, the pasting and sizing was the apprentice's job!) FWIW, the cheap hardboard pasting tables are pretty crap. Worth spending a few extra quid on a better one.
 
Paper and wall for me too. It needs a bit more work to get rid of bubbles of paste but make positioning the paper easier.

Dave
 
Just to point out that paste-the-wall paper is a different thing to paper you paste, so may not be available in all patterns and styles..
It suddenly occurred to me that some may think it is just a different way to hang the same paper..

Tringa said:
Paper and wall for me too. It needs a bit more work to get rid of bubbles of paste but make positioning the paper easier.

Dave
Click to expand...

Dave - bubble of paste are a sign of too much paste, and not evenly enough applied.
 
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Thanks for the input everyone, i'm going to go with ready mixed paste to avoid lumps, and i will paste the wall and the paper.
 
If you're using the paste as a size (painting it onto the wall as well as the paper), let it dry before hanging the paper (pasted). It'll help you slide the paper over the surface to get the edges butting up tightly. I wish I could remember the name of the size we used to use - it was far better than paste, even if it did hum a bit!
 
Nod said:
If you're using the paste as a size (painting it onto the wall as well as the paper), let it dry before hanging the paper (pasted). It'll help you slide the paper over the surface to get the edges butting up tightly. I wish I could remember the name of the size we used to use - it was far better than paste, even if it did hum a bit!
Click to expand...

Let it dry completely?

And will it minimize air bubbles which were always a problem when i decorated previously.
 
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A good hanging brush will help eliminate air bubbles. Sizing the wall will also help - among other things, it'll reduce the speed at which the pasted paper dries out letting the bubbles slide out to the sides/bottom of the paper as you're hanging it.

And yes, let the size dry completely - if you're using paste, add a splash of water to a small container of the pre-mixed goop to make it go further and make it less lumpy.
 
Thanks i will do that and post back how i get on :)
 
Nod said:
If you're using the paste as a size (painting it onto the wall as well as the paper), let it dry before hanging the paper (pasted). It'll help you slide the paper over the surface to get the edges butting up tightly. I wish I could remember the name of the size we used to use - it was far better than paste, even if it did hum a bit!
Click to expand...

Was it Pollycell ?
 
No. Came in small packets in boxes of a dozen that made a gallon at a time.
 
Swissy said:
Thanks i will do that and post back how i get on :)
Click to expand...

The decorator who taught me (he's the same age as me and has been in the trade for 45 years) uses premixed and diluted about 10 - 20%.
It's a damn sight easier than mixing the dry powder, and more consistent.

Use a 'card' and a new blade in a Stanley knife for trimming.
All you do is press the plastic card into the corner between wall and ceiling (or skirting) and run the knife along it.
Use a clean sponge to wash off any adhesive.
I get mine in the plaster aisle in a well known diy outlet :)

View attachment 117374
 
The poll only allows for pasting the paper, the wall and 'I never decorate'. We always paint the walls, it must be 40 years since we've had a house with wallpaper.
 
Cobra said:
Anyone else remember the vinyl paper that was ready pasted that you cut to size and place in a tray of water to soak for a couple of minutes?
That was good, less messy if not somewhat expensive.
Do they still make it?
Click to expand...

Ah, the power of jingles. IIRC

What goes up, can come down. Super Fresco makes it easy - it's by Graham and Brown.
Click to expand...
 
Nod said:
No. Came in small packets in boxes of a dozen that made a gallon at a time.
Click to expand...
I’ve been racking my brains trying to think of the brand name but can’t remember. I worked in an ironmongers shop in the 60s and 70’s and must have sold loads of the stuff. There was a hot water and cold water version, no idea what the hot water version was for, unless the hot water was just used to mix it up before use?

I just use diluted wallpaper paste nowadays, or watered down PVA if the wall is very absorbant.
 
Apply to both and ALWAYS in underpants and boots only - or one of those white paper suits! get in!
 
I’ve always used standard paste-the-paper rolls until I did our living room last month. It was the first time I’d used a paste-the-wall roll instead (chosen for the pattern rather than the fact it was used differently) and i’m now a convert to paste-the-wall rolls! Way less messy, no need for a paste table as I literally applied the paste to the wall from the bucket. Cutting around wiring/sockets etc was simple because the paper was dry when cutting so no rips/tears etc. I don’t think I’ll go back to pasting the paper.
 
stevelmx5 said:
I’ve always used standard paste-the-paper rolls until I did our living room last month. It was the first time I’d used a paste-the-wall roll instead (chosen for the pattern rather than the fact it was used differently) and i’m now a convert to paste-the-wall rolls! Way less messy, no need for a paste table as I literally applied the paste to the wall from the bucket. Cutting around wiring/sockets etc was simple because the paper was dry when cutting so no rips/tears etc. I don’t think I’ll go back to pasting the paper.
Click to expand...

You can only do paste the wall with paper designed to do that though. Most wall papers need a soaking time with paste on the back first, otherwise the paper can shrink back at the seams and you end up with gaps showing. In extreme cases sometimes the pattern won’t match up.
 
boogie man said:
I’ve been racking my brains trying to think of the brand name but can’t remember. I worked in an ironmongers shop in the 60s and 70’s and must have sold loads of the stuff. There was a hot water and cold water version, no idea what the hot water version was for, unless the hot water was just used to mix it up before use?

I just use diluted wallpaper paste nowadays, or watered down PVA if the wall is very absorbant.
Click to expand...


It was a hot water one we used - possibly a gelatine based one. Allowed to cool before "painting" the wall with it. 20+ years and a brain tumour have left the details as forgotten history!
 
I’ve had best results sizing the walls (ie paste and let dry) then paste the paper and give it a minute or two to soak in before hanging. If the plaster is bad then sometimes I’ve also put on lining paper first (papering horizontally) good luck
 
boogie man said:
You can only do paste the wall with paper designed to do that though. Most wall papers need a soaking time with paste on the back first, otherwise the paper can shrink back at the seams and you end up with gaps showing. In extreme cases sometimes the pattern won’t match up.
Click to expand...

Yes, the roll we picked was designed for paste-the-wall.
 
So i pasted the wall and left it to dry for a couple of days, then on the day of decorating i pasted the paper and left it to soak in for 5-10 minutes and then applied it to the wall.

And i am glad to report it all went superbly, no bubbles, in fact it looks really professional :)

Thanks to everyone who contributed.
 
I didn't know about sizing. Looks like a good tip.

The wife wants Laura Ashley wallpaper though and, looking online, it's a pig to apply.

Does anyone have thoughts on lining paper? Previous owners used lining paper everywhere with wallpaper on top.
 
omens said:
I didn't know about sizing. Looks like a good tip.

The wife wants Laura Ashley wallpaper though and, looking online, it's a pig to apply.

Does anyone have thoughts on lining paper? Previous owners used lining paper everywhere with wallpaper on top.
Click to expand...

As I recall LA was tricky to get the patterns lined up especially in an older house we had where few of the corners were straight. Just had to pick the least worst place for misalignments on the pattern and plan carefully for where that was on the wall (eg behind shelves). As above I used lining paper horizontally on poor quality plaster and it worked well.
 
omens said:
I didn't know about sizing. Looks like a good tip.

The wife wants Laura Ashley wallpaper though and, looking online, it's a pig to apply.

Does anyone have thoughts on lining paper? Previous owners used lining paper everywhere with wallpaper on top.
Click to expand...
Lining paper underneath just covers up any defects on the wall, it won’t make dodgy paper any easier to hang. What were the complaints about the Laura Ashley paper?
 
I think it honestly depends on what works for you.

I paste the paper as I tried doing the wall and it didn't pan out as well.

Others are fine pasting the wall.

Do what works for you.
 
Well, as the lone Wall voter, all I can say is that I found it very easy and not messy to do. I've never papered rooms before so can't compare. But I enjoyed it more than painting walls!

I didn't think about a special paper type either, just bought what the Mrs and step daughter liked the look of for their rooms. Put up some lining paper first, then pasted on that for the real paper. This was 18 months ago and all still on the wall. It all went on fine and I'd do it that way again.
 
omens said:
I didn't know about sizing. Looks like a good tip.

The wife wants Laura Ashley wallpaper though and, looking online, it's a pig to apply.

Does anyone have thoughts on lining paper? Previous owners used lining paper everywhere with wallpaper on top.
Click to expand...


Only did one job with LA paper and yes, it was a bit of a pig! Had to make sure that each drop was allowed the same length of time between pasting and hanging or it would stretch slightly differently. Not my favourite design either but the customer was chuffed with the result which was the important thing.
 
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