Wall Preparation

     You may have heard the old housepainter's saying, "No paint job is better than the surface it covered."  This is especially true for paperhanging.  The most important part of the papering process is the wall preparation.

     'Prep' work includes filling holes and cracks, scraping off bumps, sanding uneven surfaces, priming, sizing, and installing liners.  Not all jobs will require all of these efforts, but many will need most of these steps.

     Because people tend to think of wallcoverings as a means to 'cover up' walls, they see wall prep as an unnecessary step.  This is a serious misconception.  The more you put into your surface preparation, the easier you job will go, the better it will look, and the longer it will last.

     How much preparation you need to do depends on the wallcovering you choose and the condition of your walls.  If you are installing grasscloth, stringcloth, or heavy vinyl, your walls will not have to be perfect.  These heavily textured materials will hide small bumps, holes, and cracks.

     For a thin or slick finish wallcovering your walls should be as smooth as possible.  Foil, for example, will show everything.  You need a perfect surface for a great foil installation.

     Some papers, even prepasteds, are nearly transparent.  They are so thin, they will not hide even the smallest imperfection or contrasting color already on the wall.  Be sure your wall prep meets the needs of your particular wallcovering.