Step-by-step instructions for applying liquid wallpaper to walls

Tools and materials

In order for the result of gluing to please you for a long time, and the process itself to be simple and fast, it is important to prepare the appropriate tools. Below I will tell you what kind of construction equipment you will need, and also give recommendations on choosing application tools depending on your conditions.

Full list of tools:

• Personal protective equipment (respirator, gloves, glasses);
• Tool for application (depends on several conditions – read more below);
• Container for preparing the mixture;
• Primer, tray and roller for preparing the walls;
• Tape measure for measuring the area and calculating the amount of liquid wallpaper;
• Decorative additives or color for individual selection of design;
• Water sprayer.

Different tools are used when decorating walls with liquid wallpaper. The choice depends on the area of the room, skills, and consistency of the mass.

Preparation

The preparatory stage is the most important in our work process. After all, it depends on how the mixture will lie on the walls or ceiling. In addition, if the surface is poorly prepared before application, the coating will simply fall off. But not every source material is suitable for finishing.

Surface compatibility table

To avoid trouble, it is recommended to read the table. It will tell you whether it is possible to apply wallpaper to the base.

In addition to compatibility with different materials, it is worth considering the basic requirements for all surfaces:

• Complete absence of defects and foreign objects (screw heads, wires, etc.) on the surface. Each crack and chip on the table should be filled with putty and sanded in advance.
• Uniform light background. Otherwise, the wallpaper will show through and the entire aesthetics will be ruined. To correct this, simply apply a thin layer of putty.
• Clean and primed surface.

How to prepare the surface before gluing?

Before applying wallpaper, the wall or ceiling must meet the above requirements. For your convenience, I have prepared a step-by-step instruction:

1. Eliminate cracks, bumps, align corners.
2. Remove old decorative canvases, paint, wash off whitewash.

   

3. Remove or paint over protruding metal elements.
4. Treat the walls with a primer in 2 layers.

   

5. Paint the surface with white water-based paint (if the primer was white, painting is not required).
6. Treat the concrete or brick surface with gypsum plaster.
7. Roughen an excessively smooth surface.

Remove or paint over protruding metal elements.

Treat the walls with primer in 2 layers.

Paint the surface with white water-based paint (if the primer was white, painting is not required).

Treat the concrete or brick surface with gypsum plaster.

Roughen an excessively smooth surface.

How to dilute the mixture?

Wallpaper is available in two types:

• Dry. In this version, the dry components are packaged in bags; for work, the composition must first be soaked in water.
• Liquid. It is ready for use immediately, but is usually more expensive.

Instructions for preparation

You must use all the components at once. You should not divide the dry mixture – due to the wrong proportions, the material may lose its properties. As for the consistency, keep in mind that it is difficult to apply too thick evenly, and too liquid will drip and spread. Therefore, the consistency should exactly match the proportions on the package.

As for the consumption of liquid wallpaper, it depends on the mixture and the thickness of the application. On average, focus on 200-300 g per 1 sq. m.

Guide to preparing the liquid mixture:

1. Prepare the required amount of water (not warmer than 30).
2. Shake and thoroughly knead the bags with the components.
3. Pour all parts of the dry mixture into a container.
4. If a shade is needed, add colorant.
5. Mix the resulting liquid mass with your hands until it becomes fluffy and uniform.
6. Pour in water, mix again.
7. It is not advisable to use a mixer.
8. Place the liquid mass in a bag and leave for 6-12 hours.

Pour all parts of the dry mixture into the container.

If a shade is needed, add colorant.

Mix the resulting liquid mass with your hands until it becomes fluffy and uniform.

Pour in water, mix again.

It is not advisable to use a mixer.

Place the liquid mixture in a bag and leave for 6-12 hours.

The most frequently asked question is how much liquid mixture to mix for a large room? You may need two or more packages, but you need to dilute them in different containers. When the wallpaper has set, you can combine them for ease of use.

How long can it be stored in a diluted form?

The mixture can be stored for several hours. If work is postponed, transfer the liquid mass to a bag without waiting for it to dry. In this form, it can be stored for 10-14 days.

How to apply to walls?

Check the mixture after 6-12 hours. If the mass is too thick, pour in a liter of warm water, stir, and if too liquid, wait a few hours or add more wallpaper. Now you can start working. The stages of wall finishing include the direct application of the material, checking for defects, correcting shortcomings and drying.

Installation is allowed with a slightly open window, but without a draft. Sometimes the wallpaper comes off the walls. The reason is insufficient priming of the surface.

Step-by-step algorithm for installing wallpaper:

1. The optimal room temperature is 17-25 degrees.
2. Apply the liquid coating horizontally, vertically or in a herringbone pattern, depending on the desired design.
3. Ideally, it is better to do the finishing in daylight using artificial lighting.
4. Start from a light corner, holding the tool at eye level at an angle of 15-30 degrees.
5. To avoid joints, do not take long breaks between laying the wallpaper.
6. After each application, smooth the liquid mixture over the wall with a float until an even layer 1.5-3 mm thick is obtained.
7. If the coating sticks to the tool, periodically wet it with water.
8. Near the ceiling, window sill and baseboards Be careful – the hardened mass is difficult to remove from plastic or wood.
9. Spray the walls with water from a spray bottle and smooth the joints with a roller or spatula.
10. The final stage (optional) is to cover the wallpaper with acrylic varnish to fix the material. Apply the varnish in 1 or 2 layers.

To avoid joints, do not take long breaks between laying the wallpaper.

After each application, smooth the liquid mixture over the wall with a float until an even layer 1.5-3 mm thick is obtained.

If the coating sticks to the tool, periodically wet it with water.

Be careful near the ceiling, window sill and baseboards – the hardened mass is difficult to remove from plastic or wood.

Spray the walls with water from a spray bottle and smooth the joints with a roller or spatula.

The final stage (optional) is to coat the wallpaper with acrylic varnish to fix the material. The varnish should be applied in 1 or 2 layers.

Video instructions

For clarity, watch the video:

How to apply to the ceiling?

Liquid wallpaper can also be used for finishing the ceiling. It should also be applied to the prepared coating. The principle is the same as for walls: removing old canvases or whitewash, plastering (if necessary), putty, priming and applying wallpaper.

For safety reasons, it is recommended to dismantle the chandelier and turn off the electricity. It is better to work during the day, and check for defects with a flashlight.

1. Evenly distribute liquid wallpaper over the ceiling so that the thickness does not exceed 2-3 mm.
2. Apply the mixture with straight, circular or zigzag movements. This does not affect the effectiveness, it is more up to you what is convenient and what design you expect to get.
3. After finishing the work, moisten the ceiling and treat the joints with a roller.

How to glue in hard-to-reach places?

Liquid coating is successfully used not only for walls, but also for arches, slopes and doorways. You can apply the composition to hard-to-reach places manually or with specially selected tools. The installation algorithm does not change, but there are nuances in difficult places and now I will tell you about them.

Behind the battery

To glue liquid wallpaper behind the radiator, you need to use a small grater or a narrow spatula. If the gap is too narrow, you can smear it manually. The wallpaper is safe for skin and is easy to wash off.

In the corners (external and internal)

When processing an outer corner, apply the wallpaper to the wall on both sides. Spread the liquid mass so that its excess goes beyond the corner. Smooth out the corner with the side of the trowel, evenly distributing the wallpaper.

When processing an inner corner, apply the composition to one (preferably “inconvenient”) side, coming close to the corner. Then apply the wallpaper to the other side, carefully pulling the mixture to the corner and leveling both sides.

On the arch

To finish the arch, you will need a special rounded spatula or roller. It will not be possible to apply the mixture with a trowel due to the rectangular shape of the tool. First, it is recommended to spread the arched vault, gradually moving downwards. Finish the corners.

On the slopes

Finishing the slopes starts from the upper corner.

1. Using a trowel, carefully distribute the wallpaper across the width of the slope from top to bottom, you can slightly go onto the wall.
2. Without reaching the bottom 10-20 cm, apply the composition to the lower corner and carefully distribute them.
3. Paint the empty area.

On the pipes

Remove rust and cover the pipes with white oil paint. Do not apply the material during the heating season (if the pipes perform the heating function). Use a small roller for work.

How to make drawings?

Several methods are usually used to create drawings from liquid wallpaper: stencils, sketches or free drawing. You can read more detailed instructions in our separate article. Below I will show some examples of drawings for inspiration.

How to reuse?

The leftovers are stored for a long time, up to several years. Manufacturers allow the material to be reused if stored properly.

How to preserve and reuse the mixture:

1. Wait until the mixture is completely dry in the container.
2. Pack dried liquid wallpaper in a bag.
3. When it is time to apply the material, dilute it with water.
4. Leave the mixture for several hours.
5. Stir the wallpaper and add more water if necessary.
6. Apply to the wall.

How to dry after application?

To achieve the best effect, you should follow the basic rules:

• Finally check for defects.
• If there are no irregularities, leave the coating for 1-3 days.
• You can open the vents and windows for ventilation.
• Strong draft undesirable.
• The optimum room temperature is 18-25.
• Do not use heaters to speed up drying.

How long does it take to dry?

Drying time is no more than 3 days from the moment of completion of work. It depends on many factors, but not less than 24 hours.

How to remove old wallpaper?

To remove old wallpaper, you just need to wet the coating and wait. You can also re-glue liquid wallpaper if you do not like the result. The instructions are extremely simple:

1. Lay oilcloth on the floor and furniture so that the remains of the materials do not stain everything.
2. Wet the wallpaper with water from a spray bottle on the wall or ceiling. If the residue is difficult to remove, make a solution from laundry soap.
3. Wait for the wallpaper to soak.
4. Carefully remove with a spatula.

Renovation using liquid wallpaper allows you to decorate the interior in any style. This is a unique and safe for health material, the basis of which is cellulose and silk fibers. Applying the composition yourself is not difficult, provided that you prepare and follow the correct work algorithm.