How do I hang a wall border?

Question

I bought a wall border for my daughter's room, on the package it said pre-pasted but when I moistened the back of the border it wasn't sticky. I've never hung a border before so I'm not quite sure what to do....

Answer 1

Hi fellow home decorator! Let me save you the frustration of the pre-pasted borders, as my husband and I have been down that road before several times. Let the border dry out, then go to your local Wal-Mart or Home Depot-type store and buy border paste, or Wal-Mart has a bucket of stuff called "Paste for Unpasted Wallpaper" that works the same way. Sometimes they keep it in the crafts section, and other times we've found in with the paints. We've found the easiest way to use is to apply it directly to the wall where you are putting up the border (you can wipe the excess off the wall/border with a wet sponge after applying border to wall; this keeps the paste from getting onto other parts of the border as you're putting it up or in case you accidentally drop the border). They also make a "border installation"-type kit, which usually can be found in the paint section at Wal-Mart. Comes with a sponge, a ruler-looking thing that can be used at corners or to help tear off sections, etc.

The border paste is very cheap (a small bucket will run you $4-$5), and will save you ALL of the hassle. For whatever reason, we have found those pre-pasted borders never work, so you will constantly be fixing and re-applying it to the wall just to have it fall down again. For $5, your border will be on the wall securely, won't move, and will look professional. Good luck to you!

Answer 2

pre-pasted doesn't appear to be that sticky until it activates itself, this is where the booking comes in. You don't need much water to hang a border, a 5 quart pan will work, a border is 15 ft long so take half (7.5 ft) and pull it through the water to get it wet, NOT SOAKED, fold that half in half and then do the other side and fold that half the same way. This is called "booking", now wait 4 to 5 minutes for the glue to activate and hang. Start in a corner and work yourself around the room by unfolding one half at a time, a plastic wide putty knife will help you lay the paper onto your wall or use a sponge, lightly though and when you start your next piece put it a little on a design at your end so you can cut it and have a good match, this is called double cutting. You'll need a straight edge like a wooden ruler or something to use as a guide to cut it, use a utility knife. you can do it, good luck

Answer 3

use a clear primer for wallpaper, and then paste it to the walls when the primer is dry. The Primer will help it stick a little better and it will also protect your walls when its time to remove the border. You MUST use primer, dont listen to anyone who says different. I do this for a living..trust me! I hope it comes out great. Good luck!