People often underestimate the power of high-quality wallpaper. Wallpapers can transform the entire interior of your house. With suitable wallpaper, you can add a splash of colour and art and add overall character to the house to align with your own personality. The versatility of wallpapers makes them the perfect choice for everyone and every room, whether you want a minimalist look or a bold style.
Although there is a tricky aspect when it comes to wallpapers, preparing your rooms for wallpapers can be quite a complicated task. It all depends on the current condition and surface of the walls. Here are the steps you need to adhere to ensure you get the best wallpaper painting for your home.
Remove Old Wallpaper
The first step in the entire process is to remove any old wallpaper that you still have in your house. There are several methods by which you can remove your wallpaper. Some oft-used methods are an electric steamer, vinegar, and warm water solution, or a store-bought wallpaper remover solution. We still recommend using a professional to do this process to ensure thorough removal.
Failing to remove the old wallpaper properly may cause bubbling or peeling of the new wallpaper over time. If you’re planning on wallpaper painting over previously wallpapered surfaces, be sure to test a small area first.
Smoothen Your Walls
Before proceeding with wallpaper painting, there is a crucial step that you must take, which is smoothing your walls. Inspect your walls to check for any old nails, light switch plates, and hooks, and remove them with minimal damage. You want to avoid any craters or tiny bumps as they can easily become visible when wallpaper is applied.
To achieve a smooth wall surface, you require spackling to ensure all the holes are filled. After completing this step, you will end up with a smooth surface. Smooth walls guarantee that your wallpaper painting stays attached to the surface for the longest time without worrying about lifting. Once you apply the coat, ensure that the entire surface is even and blemish-free.
Clean Your Wall
Cleaning your wall is the next step in the entire procedure. This step occurs multiple times, once during this time and also before the wallpaper installation. After the smoothing and sanding procedure, your wall will be filled with dust particles.
As we advance with your wallpaper painting, applying wallpaper before cleaning your wall is not advisable, as the wallpaper will not attach properly. A standard recommendation is to use a strong cleaner designed for walls to eliminate traces of grease, dirt, and other types of buildup.
Understand Your Paint and Primers
If you are planning for wallpaper painting, the existence of paint can be quite an issue—both its presence and lack thereof. If your wall is already painted, textures such as semi-gloss, matte, eggshell, and satin are ideal for wallpaper painting. Latex paint, on the other hand, does not work well with wallpaper.
Installing wallpaper directly on drywall is also not advisable. Drywall will absorb the wallpaper paste, leaving almost nothing for the wallpaper to adhere to. Your best option regarding wallpaper application is to apply a wallpaper primer onto the walls. The primer will seal the wall, facilitating great wallpaper application and stopping the growth of fungus and mold.
Pro Tip: Wallpaper primers are usually available in shades of white, which work well in light-coloured wallpaper painting. If you have dark-colored wallpapers, white primers can peek out if not installed correctly. To avoid that issue, ask your local hardware store to tint your primer depending on the colour of your wallpaper.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Wallpaper Preparation
Even with the best materials, mistakes in preparation can lead to poor results. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Skipping sanding: Uneven or textured walls can cause air bubbles under the wallpaper.
- Not using primer: Primers improve adhesion and protect the wall.
- Improper cleaning: Dust and grime prevent proper sticking.
- Applying wallpaper on damp walls: This can lead to mold, mildew, and peeling.
- Rushing the drying process: Whether you’re drying spackling, primer, or a painted base coat, each layer needs to be fully dry before proceeding.
Why Professional Help Matters in Wallpaper Painting
While DIY is tempting, wallpaper painting is one of those home improvement projects where professional help can make a noticeable difference. Here’s why:
- Precision and Expertise: Professionals know how to measure, cut, and align patterns perfectly.
- Surface Preparation: They will properly assess and prep the surface for long-lasting results.
- Time Efficiency: With the right tools and skills, professionals complete the job faster.
- Material Knowledge: Experts can suggest the best type of wallpaper or paintable wallpaper depending on your surface and lifestyle needs.
- Guaranteed Results: Hiring licensed and insured painters ensures quality work and accountability.
Tips to Choose the Right Wallpaper for Painting
Selecting the right wallpaper type is just as important as preparing the wall. Some wallpapers are designed to be painted over, while others are decorative and final. Here’s how to choose the right one:
- Paintable Wallpaper: These wallpapers have textures and are meant to be painted. Ideal for creating custom wall finishes.
- Vinyl-Coated Wallpaper: Easy to clean but harder to paint.
- Embossed Wallpaper: Adds a 3D element and is paint-friendly.
- Non-Woven Wallpaper: Tear-resistant and ideal for beginners.
- Prepasted vs. Unpasted: Prepasted ones are easier to install, but unpasted offers more control and customization.
Maintenance Tips After Wallpaper Painting
Once your wallpaper is painted and installed, the journey isn’t over. Here’s how to ensure it lasts:
- Avoid excessive moisture: Keep wallpapers dry to prevent peeling.
- Dust regularly: Use a dry microfiber cloth or a soft duster.
- Spot clean gently: Use a damp sponge for small stains. Avoid harsh chemicals.
- Repaint touch-ups: Use the same paint to refresh small faded areas over time.
Where to Find the Best House Painting Company?
Dyson Painters are the best choice if you are looking for the best professional house painting company. Dyson Painters is people’s first choice and provides the best painting services in Hobart. Our performance in wallpaper painting projects has earned us a name over the years. Our talented and professional house painters have comprehensive knowledge and understanding to overcome any painting hurdles and give you the best results. We ensure your money is put in the correct place as we believe in delivering quality work.
To learn more about us, contact us today at admin@dysonpainters.com.au or call us at 0420-213-214 and get in touch.
