Kitchen Papered, now shrinking and lifting.

[F1yTrap]

I papered my kitchen this weekend, and did a sterling job, or so I thought.

24 hours after finishing, the odd seem started to show; its very dark paper over a light pained wall, so it's quite obvious. Now 48 hours on, many more seems are showing and the paper is lifting quite badly. If I pull the paper where its starting to lift, it comes away very easily.

I am resigning myself to the fact that I'm going to have to redo this weekend, but before I do I want some advice on a couple of areas where I think I went wrong.

Firstly, I didn't do any wall preparation. I didn't think I needed to as the walls were painted 7 months ago with a matt finish emulsion, which is fairly rough to the touch. But now I'm thinking that this is the kitchen, so the walls could be greasy?

Secondly, the paste I was using was from a packet of Solvite I bought a couple of years ago that I keep in the shed. Could this be out of date (I couldn't find any expiry dates), or maybe affected by previous cold snaps?

When papering I followed the manufacturers instructions, soaking the paper and waiting 5 mins before hanging. The paper manufacturer is A.S. Creation, and its expanded vinyl. I mixed the paste to the thickness required for Blown Vinyl. I think this is correct.

Final question, if I am able to peel off the paper and it remains intact. Will I be able to re-paste and re-hang (once the wall is correctly prepared)? Or will I be better off purchasing more roles and starting afresh?

 

[joe-90]

Don't paper a kitchen ffs. Just paint it.

 

[Robbie uk]

Solvite doesn't go off and can be used years later. It sounds like the paste wasn't quite thick enough or maybe there wasn't enough on the paper/edges. I would have used a ready mixed adhesive.
As Joe has stated, Paper isn't really the best option for kitchens, unless its large and the paper is away from the steam/cooker etc.
If you get the paper off in one piece you wont be able to re use it to be fair.

 

[F1yTrap]

Thanks Robbie. Paste was correct thickness and edges had plenty. Been papering myself for 20+ years and never had this happen. Will look for a stronger adhesive when I redo and just test on one wall.

Going to wash the wall down with sugar soap spay, give it a good rub with sand paper and coat the wall in some watered down paste before I start. Hopefully that will solve my problem.