How to Wallpaper

• Choosing wallpaper
• Roll reckoner
• Wallcovering symbols
• What you need
• 1. Prepare the walls
• 2. Prepare the paper
• 3. Hang the paper
• How to care for wallpaper

Step 2: Prepare the paper

Cut the paper

1. Measure one wall from the skirting or bottom edge up to the ceiling.
2. Add 10cm to allow for trimming.
3. Cut the first length. Use this length as your guide for cutting the rest of the paper into lengths.

If you have Paste-the-wall paper, proceed to Step 3.

Pre-pasted paper

Soak the paper

For pre-pasted paper, a brief soaking in water is vital, to activate the paste that is on the back.

1. Fill a water-trough with luke-warm water, and place it in the centre of the room, on a plastic drop-cloth/sheet.
2. Now, loosely re-roll the cut lengths of paper, from the bottom edge, with the pattern or texture on the inside.
3. Place the pre-rolled length in the water, make sure it is fully covered for about 15 seconds, then pass the top edge of the length under the water trough wire and slowly draw the paper out of the trough. Check that all the paste on the back of the paper is fully wet.

Fold the paper

1. Lay the wet paper out flat on the plastic sheet, paste side up.
2. Fold loosely—don’t crease—from the bottom edge, up to one-third of the length.
3. Fold the top down to overlap the first fold by 10mm. The larger fold should be at the top of that length.
4. Soak and fold several lengths.
5. Drain and leave the folded lengths for about 8-10 minutes. This allows the paper—and you—to relax before the next step: putting the paper on the wall.

Un-pasted paper

What you need

• A pasting table: you can hire one, borrow one; or make do with the kitchen table—but cover it first.
• Wallpaper size (SHUR-STIK Latex) and paste (Metylan Special).
• A pasting brush.

Mix the paste

If your wallpaper is the un-pasted type, mix the recommended paste (Metylan Special) according to the instructions on the label, to ensure you have the right consistency.

Applying the paste

1. Place the cut lengths face down on the table. Make sure they are all laid out in the same direction—all tops together, therefore all bottom edges together.
2. Now paste the back of the paper with Metylan Special or SHUR-STIK paste/adhesive, applying it evenly in a zig-zag pattern , pasting from the centre out.
   Make sure the edges are well-coated, and the paste is evenly applied over the full length of the paper.
3. Fold the ends towards the centre, with a smaller fold to the bottom and a larger fold at the top. This will easily identify the hanging direction to the paper. Make sure the folds don’t crease.
4. Now leave each length to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. More relaxation time for you, too.