Preparing Your Wall to Wallpaper
Many people today still love the look and feel of wallpaper. There are so many choices of colors and patterns that it can give more choices than paint. Because of this many people are turning to wallpaper for certain rooms and to create certain environments.
Wallpapering can be quite a task and it can leave the average person wondering why they undertook the task if they do not know what to do to get their walls prepared.
The first step to preparing your wall is to look at it. Although this seems trite it is the first thing you need to do to observe any challenges that you might have in painting. If your wall has wallpaper on it from the past you will want to remove it as your first step. If it was painted before you will need to take special care to prime the wall and repair any cracks or problems that may be visible. This will stop you from having problems in the future.
Primers today have become easier to use and they do not require a wall to be sized anymore. A good acrylic primer will provide a more even surface and it will allow you to put the wallpaper on easier; it will also protect the wall from absorbing moisture.
Some people still use oil based primers because they tend to be a bit stronger but experts suggest that even if you use one that you also use an acrylic primer over it to get the slippage that is needed.
You should look for any holes in the wall and make sure they are filled before you move to wallpapering. Look for chips, holes, cracks or places where the wall surface is irregular. Any of these challenges should be filled with vinyl spackling compound before you go to the stage of using the primer. Use a spackling knife to press the compound into the hole, let it dry and then sand it, to make sure it is smooth.
If you have a glossy finish on your wall you'll need to dull it by sanding lightly over the entire surface. Be sure not to leave any glossy areas because the paint may have problems adhering to these spots. The best way to ensure an even finish over a sanded glossy surface is to seal it with an acrylic primer. If it is in your kitchen and you see mildew, you will have to clean the area with water and bleach before you apply the primer.
The type of wall that you will put your wallpaper on will also determine what you need to do. As an example, if your wall is textured you will have to remove the texture before you do your wallpapering.
Wallpapering can be quite a task and it can leave the average person wondering why they undertook the task if they do not know what to do to get their walls prepared.
The first step to preparing your wall is to look at it. Although this seems trite it is the first thing you need to do to observe any challenges that you might have in painting. If your wall has wallpaper on it from the past you will want to remove it as your first step. If it was painted before you will need to take special care to prime the wall and repair any cracks or problems that may be visible. This will stop you from having problems in the future.
Primers today have become easier to use and they do not require a wall to be sized anymore. A good acrylic primer will provide a more even surface and it will allow you to put the wallpaper on easier; it will also protect the wall from absorbing moisture.
Some people still use oil based primers because they tend to be a bit stronger but experts suggest that even if you use one that you also use an acrylic primer over it to get the slippage that is needed.
You should look for any holes in the wall and make sure they are filled before you move to wallpapering. Look for chips, holes, cracks or places where the wall surface is irregular. Any of these challenges should be filled with vinyl spackling compound before you go to the stage of using the primer. Use a spackling knife to press the compound into the hole, let it dry and then sand it, to make sure it is smooth.
If you have a glossy finish on your wall you'll need to dull it by sanding lightly over the entire surface. Be sure not to leave any glossy areas because the paint may have problems adhering to these spots. The best way to ensure an even finish over a sanded glossy surface is to seal it with an acrylic primer. If it is in your kitchen and you see mildew, you will have to clean the area with water and bleach before you apply the primer.
The type of wall that you will put your wallpaper on will also determine what you need to do. As an example, if your wall is textured you will have to remove the texture before you do your wallpapering.