Wallpaper and Wallcoverings - Repairing wallpaper

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View Full Version : Repairing wallpaper


KSP
02-15-04, 09:14 PM
I need advice on repairing wallpaper. Against my better judgement, I allowed wallpaper to be put up in my bathroom. It look great for nearly 4 years, but just recently I noticed that the seams are starting to seperate and curl away from the neighboring strip. Is there a way to get these pieces to lay back down flush with the wall?
The installer had told me that if this ever happened to use a warm wet sponge to soften the paper up and then to use elmers glue watered down and it would do the trick. Well, I tired that and it didn't work.....Any tried and true remedies out there?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Susi


prowallguy
02-15-04, 10:46 PM
The installer was right on the money, except I wouldn't use watered elmers. Buy your self some Vinyl Over Vinyl Border Adhesive. Forget about the little tubes, buy a quart.

Soften the seams up with a sponge, use a brush and apply VoV in the seam as far as possible. Using a wallaper smoother, smooth it all back down, pushing out the excessive adhesive.
Wipe the excess off with a damp sponge. Pull seams back up and let sit about 10 minutes, or until tacky. The actual time to wait until tacky depends on the specific situation, try one and keep and eye on it, checking every couple of minutes to see if its real sticky yet.

When tacky, use smoother and push back into place. Sometimes putting a hairdryer or heatgun set on low will help them set up faster and grip the wall.

Once down, wipe down with a cool sponge to make sure all adhesive is off the surface. Be gentle with the sponge at the seams, so you don't wash out the adhesive you just applied.

Good luck.

BTW, if this paper was a paper-backed vinyl, this reaction is common in bathrooms that get a lot of shower traffic.

Wallpaper
02-16-04, 02:54 PM
This will help:

www.wallpaperinstaller.com/seam_repair.html


KSP
02-16-04, 04:07 PM
Thanks for your quick responses and suggestions.
Susi