Step 4: Trim strip at ceiling

hanging wallpaper
Photo by David Carmack
«»
Trim excess paper with a sharp razor knife held almost parallel to the wall. Guide the blade with a 6-inch putty knife to prevent tearing.

Wipe any adhesive off the paper's face with a wet sponge, pushing lightly toward the edges. Then sponge-clean the woodwork and ceiling.

Measure, cut, and hang each subsequent strip, sliding them up or down on the wall to align the pattern and to butt seams tightly with no overlaps.

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    More in Painting & Finishes

    Tools List

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    • bucket with sponge
      Rectangular sponge,
      for initial smoothing of wallpaper
    • paintroller
      5-gallon paste bucket, nylon brush, and 3/4-inch-nap paint roller
    • allen wrench set
      Allen wrenches,
      for removing towel bars in bathrooms prior to papering
    • four-foot level
      2- and 4-foot levels,
      for drawing plumb lines on wall and guiding long cuts
    • torpedo level
      10-inch torpedo level,
      for plumbing short pieces above and below windows
    • utility knife
      Utility knives with snap-off blades, and single-sided razor blades,
      to cut and trim paper
    • scissors
      Scissors
    • folding ruler
      Folding rule and tape measure
    • putty knife
      6-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1½-inch putty knives,
      for guiding cuts along trim
    • Phillips screwdriver
      Screwdriver,
      for removing and replacing switch plates and receptacle covers
    • wallpaper smoother
      Smoothers,
      for final smoothing of wallpaper

    Shopping List

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    1. PREMIXED STARCH-BASED ADHESIVE

    2. VINYL-TO-VINYL ADHESIVES

    for installing borders and securing corners when using vinyl wallpaper



    3. SPRAY-ON RUBBER CEMENT

    for applying wallpaper to switch and receptacle plates



    4. STIR STICKS

    for mixing paste



    5. 3/4-INCH-NAP ROLLER COVERS

    for spreading paste



    6. SEA OR CELLULOSE SPONGES

    for cleaning wallpaper after smoothing



    7. TERRY-CLOTH RAG

    for cleaning woodwork and ceiling after sponging