Wallpaper Hanging Instructions

Before you start

  • Make sure that your wall covering is intact and has not been damaged in transit. Unpack carefully.

  • STANDARD PAPER: For best results use Polycell, Solvite Extra Strong or Murabond wallpaper pastes, and follow the instruc- tions on the pack.

  • Make sure that you have adequate lighting - so that you can inspect the material properly while you are hanging it and after it is in position.

  • Make sure that the area you are hanging the wall covering in is well-ventilated and at least 12°C (55°F). If you don’t feel confident in hanging the wall covering yourself, contact a professional decorator.


Surface preparation

  • Scrub the wall area you are covering with a stiff bristle brush to remove all dirt and loose material.
  • Clean your walls, using a detergent or sugar soap solution to remove any grease or surface marks. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying the wall covering.
  • Mould or algae on the surface should be treated with a fungicidal wash, using the instructions on the product. Allow to dry thoroughly before applying the wall covering.
  • Any holes, cracks or defects in the surface should be filled with good quality filler, smoothed out and allowed to dry.
  • Remember: a dry surface is the right surface - so if you have to make repairs, be patient! Make sure your wall is completely dry before continuing.
  • New or unpainted walls must be sealed with a PVA or similar wall sealant.
  • SELF-ADHESIVE WALLPAPER: Before applying, it is important to ensure that the surface is clean and dry. Clean the surface by using a warm, damp cloth on the surface and allow it to dry completely. It is important to ensure that all previous cleaning products are no longer present on the surface. If you are applying it to a painted wall, it is recommended that the wall is primed to ensure that the paint will not peel off the wall.

 

Applying to different surfaces

1. UNCOATED ABSORBENT SURFACES:

Apply one coat of Polycell, Solvite Extra Strong, Murabond (or other high-quality) primer, diluted 1 part primer to 3 parts clean water. Allow to dry thoroughly.

2. COATED ABSORBENT SURFACES:

Multiple coats of paint may impair the porosity of the surface and affect adhesion. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, or if an oil-based paint has been used on the surface, please contact a professional decorator.

If you are confident to proceed on your own, ensure all surfaces are dry and apply one coat of Polycell, Murabond (or other high-quality) primer, mixed as per product instructions. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Now apply the wall covering to the surface using your wallpaper adhesive, making sure to treat one drop area at a time. Hang the wall covering in the direction of the design, and butt join or overlap subsequent drops. Trim as required. Some designs must be started from the middle and worked out to the outside edges.

NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES:

Very important! If the surface is cement or concrete or is unstable in any way, you should contact a professional decorator. Any filled, patched or absorbent areas should be made smooth and equalised in colour and absorbency with a similar pigmented oil-based paint.

Now apply your wall covering to the wall surface using Solvite Extra Strong or or Murabond Adhesive designed for a sealed surface, pasting the adhesive onto the back of the wall covering. Hang the wall covering in the direction of the design and butt join subsequent drops as required. If you have an even number of drops, it makes sense to start from the center & work outwards.

Your chosen wallpaper paste should be applied one drop area at a time, or it will end up getting messy. If you are hanging on uncoated plasterboard you must use Polycell or Murabond Easystrip Adhesive.

 

Hanging your wall covering

1. STANDARD WALLPAPER

Apply undiluted adhesive onto the back of the wall covering using a medium-pile paint roller. Only paste one drop (one length) at a time.

Use a damp sponge to apply the wall covering to the prepared surface using a smooth up-and-down motion. Take care not to squeeze the adhesive out at the edges.

Let your wall covering settle for about 15 minutes before trimming the top and bottom.

To butt join drops of the Contrado wall covering, align the design top to bottom and work away from the butted edge with the same up-and-down motion using your soft sponge. You can also safely seal the butt joins using a small rubber roller along the join. Go easy with the roller, as overworking the join could cause damage to the edges.

Wipe over the surface with a damp sponge to remove any adhesive residue.

2. SELF-ADHESIVE WALLPAPER
Start at the top of the image to be applied and pull down approximately four to six inches of the backer and crease it.

Apply the exposed adhesive to the desired surface slowly to avoid air bubbles.

Once the beginning segment is level and in the proper position, continue applying the image in four to six inch increments.

For larger graphics, it may be helpful to have multiple people applying it. It is suggested that one person helps pull and crease the backer while another slowly works on adhering the image. If air bubbles or wrinkles appear after applying segments, peel the desired area back and gently reapply with a soft, felt-sided squeegee to remove bubbles.

Note that the installer should not press too hard with the squeegee as this might damage the image. It is recommended to squeegee at a 45 degree angle with overlapping, firm strokes. An air release tool may be used to pop stubborn air pockets.
The use of a blow dryer may help to soften the adhesive for easy removal from questionable surfaces like painted walls.
We do not advise installation of Self-Adhesive Wallpaper, over untreated dry wall or drywall that has not been primed. There may be some peeling of the drywall upon removal of the Self-Adhesive Wallpaper material.
On any surface, we suggest removing Self-Adhesive Wall- paper slowly, at a 180 degree angle (pulling straight back against the material versus up) to minimize the tension against the surface.
 
 

Aftercare

Should your Wallpaper become dirty, wipe clean with a sponge and mild, soapy water. Clean only when necessary, and use as little moisture as possible. Do not rub hard: the inks will not run, but a gap in the paper may become appar- ent.