Wallpaper hanging is not nearly as difficult as some home improvers tend to make it.
The wall can be smooth or rough, but it must be primed with oil base paint first. Nothing else works as well.
Having the proper paper hanging tools is also essential. Most kits sell for under $25 and contain: a pasting brush, smoothing brush, razor knife and extra blades, seam roller and a plumb bob or a laser level,
Other equipment needed: scissors, measuring tape, pencil, water trough, plastic bucket, sponge, spring clamp, straightedge, step ladder and a large flat work surface.
Cover flooring with a heavy drop cloth. Next, set up a “pasting table”: a lightweight portable table or an old door placed on a couple of saw horses.
It goes without saying that wallpaper should be hung straight. Therefore, a plumb or laser line establishing true vertical should be made on the wall as a guide for the installation of the first strip.
A level and a pencil also can be used. The line should be as light as possible since dark lines may show through.
Paper can be prepasted or without paste. We suggest that paste be used even with prepasted paper to ensure the best bond.
Our paste preference is a mildew-resistant vinyl variety. It is stronger than most other pastes and especially useful in damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Each length of paper should be cut about four to eight inches longer than the distance from the ceiling to the top of baseboard to allow for pattern matching. Once cut, prepasted paper should be rolled pattern side in and run through the water trough (filled with warm water).
Lay the strip on the table pattern facing down. A spring clamp at one end will help to keep the paper from rolling up and make the pasting process neater.
Additional paste should then be applied with the pasting brush or a heavy-nap paint roller. It is not necessary to run unpasted paper through the water trough, although all other steps apply.
After the paper has been pasted, fold it over without creasing, pasted sides together, so that both ends of the paper meet in the middle. This process, called booking, allows the paste to spread evenly, and the paper to expand to its fullest before hanging.
Allow the booked paper to sit for about 10 minutes before hanging.
Now the fun part, hanging your first strip. Here’s where the step ladder comes in, since paper is hung from the top down. Unfold the top section of the booked paper and place it against the wall with the palms of both hands while allowing about two inches of the paper to lap beyond the top of the wall at the ceiling.
The paper can be easily manipulated along the wall as you align it with the plumb line. Once the top section has been aligned, it should be smoothed with a damp sponge or the smoothing brush, working from the center to the edges. Repeat this process for the bottom half of the paper.
Each successive strip of paper should be prepared and hung like the first and should butt up against the previously installed strip to form a neat and uniform seam.
Special care should be taken to ensure that patterns match up at seams. Use a seam roller to set the seams after each strip of paper has been smoothed and all air bubbles have been removed.
Using a razor knife and metal straightedge, trim the paper at the ceiling and at the baseboard. Hold the razor knife firmly in one hand and the straightedge in the other and carefully pull it along the straightedge.
Once you have reached the end of the straightedge, move it to the next section to be cut and carefully continue the process. Change blades frequently.
After all of the paper has been hung, wipe it down with a damp sponge and warm water, wringing the sponge out frequently.
For tips from James and Morris Carey, go to www.onthehouse.com or call the listener hot line, 800-737-2474, ext. 59. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 10 a.m. every Saturday.
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