DIY - Wallpapering & Painting

Troubleshooting tips

Bubbles

To prevent bubbles, don’t use too much paste. Make sure all paste is evenly spread and has had time to soak in properly. To remove bubbles in paper that has already been hung, pierce the bubble with a pin and allow excess paste to escape and smooth flat. If the bubble is full of air, pierce and flatten, brushing over with a small amount of paste on a brush. Gently wipe with a sponge after a while to remove excess.

Tears

If there is a small rip on a long edge, work out which is the underneath layer (it will have a white edge, whereas the top has the colour of the paper to the edge of the rip) and carefully smooth flat on the wall with a little extra paste. Then smooth the top layer over. If it’s a big rip, it is better to remove the length altogether and start again.

Visible white seams

If white seams or lines show between the drops of wallpaper, either the edges were not butted together properly or the paper has shrunk as it dried. Disguise these lines by carefully filling in the gaps with paint that matches the paper. Use a tiny artist’s brush and wipe away excess.

Do I need to line the walls? Lining paper is a cheap way of covering an uneven wall before hanging heavy, textured or expensive papers. Hang the lining paper horizontally, then paper over it vertically, as usual, with patterned or plain coloured paper. It’s also a useful method of providing an even surface to emulsion over.

How do I paper round switches and sockets? Turn the electricity off at the mains before you start. Hang the paper so it covers the faceplate. Cut an X from just inside the four corners of the plate then trim the four flaps leaving about 1cm to tuck behind the plate. Unscrew the faceplate from the wall a little and gently ease it through the cut paper. Tuck the paper flat against the wall behind the plate then tighten the faceplate screws. Don’t let paste enter the socket and only turn the power back on when the adhesive is dry.