Wallpaper onto Mist Coat

[Andrew1989]

Hi All,

Firstly, I have used this forum since I have moved into my first house and it has been a great source of knowledge and help with decorating and general DIY, though I have a question I need help with...

I have had three rooms skimmed and I have applied 1 coat of mist coat using Macpherson Eclipse Emulsion (matt) brilliant white. My other half has now decided that she wants to wallpaper a wall in each room....

Is it suitable to apply size directly onto the mistcoat ready for the wallpaper?
...Or should I apply two coats of white paint to the mist coat first and then size the wall ready for the wallpaper?

I ultimately want to make sure that later down the line if I remove the wallpaper, it will come off ok without damaging the skimmed wall.

Thank you all for your help.

Andrew

 

[opps]

The mist coat should be fine. The whole point of the mist coat is to "seal" the bare plaster. I would recommend that you still size the walls with dilute paste before papering (as you are planning to do anyway).

If you are going to use a "paste the wall" paper, apply the size, leave for a few hours before rolling with full fat paste.

I don't know if you have ever used paste the wall papers before. I was sceptical of them until I tried them. They have a woven backing and so don't swell when wet. They are great to work with if the walls are in good condition. I do paste the back of the paper at the wall and skirting though to soften the paper before I use my straight edge and knife to trim them. I find it helps to soften the paper so that I can push the paper into the edges.

 

[Andrew1989]

@opps Thank you for your reply.

I was worried about applying the size directly onto the mist coat as I know if you get mist coat wet/damp, it will rub/wipe off. We are planning to use a 'paste the wall' paper. When it comes to removing the wallpaper from the wall in the future, how would the wall fair do you think, I know it is a bit opened end that question? Would a top coat of paint help at all or is that just a waste of time?

Thank you

 

[Chivas69]

Size the wall on top of the mist coat. This will then give a barrier to wallpaper onto. This should then, in future strip down nicely and not remive any of the matt emulsion.
I'd definitely recommend a ready mixed paste though. Although I never paste the walls first. Can't be doing with my hanging brush keep going onto wet paste!

 

[JohnD]

I like to fully paint the walls with a vinyl white before papering. Vinyl stands up better to wallpaper stripping and wet scraping, and it gives a better slip. The "new plaster" paints like Supermatt are not durable. The colour is even so patches of plaster or filler don't show through. I am also very slow so the room looks decent if I leave it unpapered for a while. This would not apply to a pro.

I have heard that it is more liable to visible seam gaps as the paper shrinks more as it dries, I don't know if that's right.

 

[Chivas69]

You'll have to probably gently wipe off any paste from the seams but I haven't rolled a seam for over 20 years!
The gaps when dry are usually caused by the room being too hot or the heating on. Wallpaper should always be allowed to dry naturally rather than cranking the heat up.

 

[opps]

I'd definitely recommend a ready mixed paste though. Although I never paste the walls first. Can't be doing with my hanging brush keep going onto wet paste!

Do you use a hanging brush even when working with smooth papers? Personally, I prefer using a "caulker". It works for me but "horses for courses".

 

[Chivas69]

Do you use a hanging brush even when working with smooth papers? Personally, I prefer using a "caulker". It works for me but "horses for courses".

Yes mate, I guess it's what I'm used to. I've had the same hanging brush for over 10 years now. Lol.
To be honest I don't get so many wallpapering jobs anymore, apart from literally just finishing a 10 dayer doing it. It's nearly all grey/magnolia emulsion and white satin. Nearly all old people!

 

[Andrew1989]

Thank you for your help @Chivas69 @opps @JohnD

What size do you recommend? Do you recommend buying a size or diluting the wallpaper paste?

 

[Chivas69]

Diluting the paste will be fine. Just make sure it's dry before carrying on. You can tell by touching it with your hands but if you can give it 24 hours even better

 

[opps]

The boxes of Solvite wallpaper paste used to give you the mixing ratios for using it as a size- for some reason they don't anymore. The Everbuild powdered paste still does though

https://www.everbuild.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/All-Purpose-Wallpaper-Adhesive-V2.1.pdf

 

[Andrew1989]

Thank you @Chivas69 @opps

I assume either Solvite or Everbuild will be fine and there isn't much difference build them?

 

[opps]

Thank you @Chivas69 @opps

I assume either Solvite or Everbuild will be fine and there isn't much difference build them?

Most of my local suppliers stock the Solvite. It is rare to see a box without an additional bag (50%) free. The Everbuild is cheaper when compared to the non promotional boxes of Solvite. Off the top of my head, I think it is cheaper than Solvite period, but I haven't done the maths.

I have never noticed any difference between the two, but again, I seldom use the Everbuild. One thing that I do like about the everbuild is that each of the bags in the box is slightly smaller. That means less wastage when you are doing a small job.