What Supplies Will I Need?

Preparing Walls for Papering

The Right Way to Hand Wall Covering

Resource Charts

Before starting to paper, it is important that you have all the right tools and that you set up properly. It is also important that you consult your wall covering supplier. There are many different types and kinds of wallpaper and wall coverings on the market today, and the handling for hanging any one of these varieties should be discussed with your dealer. In many instances where pre-pasted paper is used, it is not necessary to work on a paste table. However, non-pasted paper requires the use of a wallpaper table.

USING A PLUMB BOB

Mark a true vertical with Hydeâ plumb bob or chalk line a paper’s width away from your proposed starting point. Attach your string to the weighted plumb bob and rub the string with colored chalk. Fasten the string 2" from the ceiling and let the bob hang 2" from the floor. When the bob stops swinging, hold it firmly against the wall and snap the taut string against the wall, leaving a chalk mark. Keep the plumb bob or chalk line handy, because you’ll want to mark a new true vertical every time you go around a corner or start a new wall.

CUTTING THE FIRST STRIP

Measure and cut the first strip. Un roll a section of paper and hold it against the wall to decide where you want the paper’s printed pattern or design to start at the ceiling. Do not chop off designs in the middle. Make a small pencil mark on or gently score what will be the ceiling edge of the paper, then mark the baseboard edge. Using Hyde wall covering shears or razor knife, cut the newly marked strip of wallpaper from the roll, leaving a few extra inches above the ceiling line and below the baseboard edge. (You’re deliberately cutting the paper several inches too long). Measure this first piece and make a note of its length; you’ll use it as a pattern for the next strips.

PASTE APPLICATION

Mix the paste following the manufacturer’s instructions. The paste should be slippery, not sticky. Next lay the cut strip of wall covering print side down on your blade. Apply the paste with a Hydeâ paste brush starting at the top leaving a 1" wide margin un=pasted at the top edge for handling.

Pre=pasted paper can be totally immersed in water. Use a Hyde wall covering water tray or border tray to moisten pre=pasted wall coverings.

HANGING THE FIRST STRIP

When the top half of the strip is completely pasted, fold the pasted part paste-side to paste=side over itself taking care not to crease the fold. (The pasted sections should slide over each other easily; if they don’t, your paste is too thick, and needs more water.) Apply paste to the remaining section and fold it back on itself. This will make it easier to carry.

Unfolding the top half...hold the strip by the unpasted top corners and line up the edge of the sheet with your chalk mark on the wall. Position the strip at the ceiling also, using your top edge pencil mark as a guide. Gently press the top half of the strip against the wall. Then, using gentle strokes with a Hydeâ smoothing brush or wallcovering applicator, brush from the center of the strip toward the edges, removing any trapped air bubbles.

If the paper isn’t following the chalk mark, pull the paper away from the wall until only the top 12" remains adhered to the wall. You can gently maneuver this section with the palms of your hands. If the sheet is really crooked, you can lift the whole section away without any problem and even repaste if need be.

Once the top section is on straight, unfold the bottom section and gently brush it against the wall. When you are satisfied that the sheet is on straight, brush the entire sheet firmly with a Hyde smoothing brush using down and outward strokes to remove small wrinkles or bubbles. If there are still large wrinkles or bubbles, it’s better to lift the paper away from the wall and rehang it than to brush too hard and possibly tear the paper.

When the sheet is smooth, sponge it with fresh water to remove any paste from the front of the wallcovering.