Wallpapering over matt emulsion paint: wall preparation

[stevem76]

Hi all,

I'm an absolutely novice decorator so I'd be grateful for any help!

I'm trying to add a featured wall of wallpaper in each bedroom of our house. Each room is currently painted with matt emulsion and I am not at all sure how to prepare the wall for papering. I've read different instructions, everything from removing the paint from the wall to just washing it down.

The view I've formed is that we need to wash down the wall until paint stops coming off on the sponge (using sugar-soap solution for this) and if that's back to the plaster paint then so be it. Do we need to do anything else to the wall before then papering? (I understand about wall size I think).

The paper is heavy duty vinyl so it needs to be well stuck!

If anyone can shed some light on this subject, we'd be really grateful!

Thanks,

Steve

 

[TheDec]

Providing the paint work is no way contaminated just size with a thinned wallpaper paste, some papers both benefit and require cross lining, so check the instuctions. As for paste use Solvite.

Dec

 

[RMS]

Just wipe down the wall with water to remove any contamination and then as suggested apply a coat of watered down paste.

I normally use ready mixed paste for heavier papers or feature walls. Solvite have a few different ranges that apply to different wall coverings. Slightly more expensive but makes the job easier.

Good luck!

 

[TheDec]

Ready mixed adhesives can tend to be a little unforgiving regarding slide, and something that you should bear in mind.

Dec