Sanding, Patching & Cleaning

     Plaster and sheetrock walls that are in good condition may not need sanding.  Many times you can just scrape off the bumps, apply a prep coat, and install your wallcoverings.  If your walls are not in such good shape, you may have to sand them with 100 grit sand paper (grit = grade of coarseness).

     Sanding is also important if you have a glossy finish on your walls.  It is very difficult for most wallcoverings to adhere to slick finishes.  That includes formica, glass, metal, vinyl, enamel, and some paneling.  Painted kitchens and baths frequently have enamel that should be sanded.

     It is best to paint the woodwork first, but remember to sand  any of the new enamel that you get on your walls.  This will insure that you wallpaper sticks tight along the edges of your newly painted wood trim.

     Spackling compounds are ideal for filling most holes and cracks.  Spackles will do small imperfections in one coat and most brands sand easily.  Joint compounds are less expensive, but they shrink and will require two or three coats.  Joint compounds ("mud") also create horrendous amounts of dust when sanded.  When patching with any compound use a wider blade than the hole and don't leave a build-up that will take a lot of sanding to get flat.

     Be sure your walls are free of oils and waxes before you paint, size, or hang paper.  Bathrooms, kitchens, and paneled rooms are all likely candidates for an oil on the surface that will weaken the bond of your new wallcovering.