Wallpaper Cutting and Hanging
Once
you have prepared the room and walls for wallpaper hanging and
gathered the tools and equipment it is time to get to work
cutting and hanging wallpaper. Prepare the cutting table and
mix the glue in accordance with the manufactures
instructions. Do not rely on pre-glued wall paper to hold
the paper to the wall without additional glue. For the best
results and to provide working time before the paste dries
out use a liberal amount of paste on all pieces.
Use
caution when cutting paper with a razor knife. A slippage
can cause major personal injury and damage to the wall or
cutting table.
Measure the length of the wall
from ceiling to the floor baseboard and cut the first piece
of paper. Always cut the paper approximately two inches
long. Final cuts will be made on the wall after the paper is
in place.
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The first cut is the key to a
professional looking job with a straight, even, and
matched wallpaper. To insure that, always start in a
corner, preferably behind a door.
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Draw a straight line down the
wall approximately four inches from the corner using a
level as a straight edge. This will be the beginning and
end point. Cut the first strip of paper and unroll it on
the work table with the pattern side down. Brush a
liberal amount of paste on the full length of paper.
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Hang the first piece by
starting at the top and aligning the edge along the
straight vertical line you made on the wall. Use the
wallpaper brush to smooth all wrinkles and bubbles. Use
the edge roller along the side and top edges to insure
that the paper is flat on the wall.
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Unroll the next strip and
match the pattern before cutting. Study the pattern
carefully and match it exactly before cutting. There
will be waste as a result of matching. Usually the
pattern repeats every twelve inches so you can expect
that much waste on every strip. Do not cut more than one
strip at a time. Cut each strip and hang it before
cutting the next strip. Butt the edge of each strip up
against the edge of each adjoining strip. Do not force
the two edges together too tightly, it will form a
ridge. If they are not placed together tightly enough,
you will leave a gap between the two edges. Use the
palms of your hands when positioning the paper. Try not
to pull on the edges. Once in place roll the edge
roller.
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If you are using pre-pasted
paper and do not want to apply additional paste, run the
paper through clear water in the trough. Plastic and
metal dip troughs for pre-pasted paper are available at
any home supply store. Position the drip trough nest to
the wall and dip the paper in the water with the bottom
of the strip in the water first. Remove the strip by the
top and positioned it on the wall and position it in
place.
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Continue to apply each sheet
of paper in this same manner. Use care to align the
design in each succeeding sheet.
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Use clean water to sponge all
the paste off the wall, baseboards, and casings before
it dries.
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Trim off the surplus paper at
the bottom and top of each strip. Use a metal paint
edger and a razor
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Be especially careful to get
the paper into all the corners. Take care to not split
the paper as you work it into the corners.
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Be especially careful when
trimming the paper along the edges around light
switches, wall plugs and windows. Sometimes the weight
of the paper causes it to tear at its narrowest point.
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The last strip will overlap
the first strip. Lay it in place and cut through both
pieces at the overlap point with a razor knife.
Carefully remove the cut under piece and overlap piece
and push the splice point together.
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Install all removed fixtures
and clean up all traces of paste.
That is all there is to it. Stand
back and admire your work.
Related articles:
Wallpaper Borders
Wallpaper Removal
Wallpaper
Selecting and Buying
Wallpaper Preparation
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