Tools for Prepping Walls
* Safety glasses or goggles
* Respirator or face mask
* Ear protectors
* Rubber gloves
* Pry bar
* Paint scraper
* Fan
* Hand sanding block
* Orbital sander
* Screwdriver
* Putty knife
* Sponge
* Rags
Materials for Prepping Walls
* Spackle (compound)
* Fine-grit sandpaper
* (100-120-grit Aluminum Oxide or Production)
* Detergent and ammonia or tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)
* Self-adhesive drywall tape
* Primer or adhesive pad
* Sizing or vinyl preparation liquid (for wallpapering)
Tools for Wallpapering
* Steel tape measure
* Plumb Bob or 48″ Level
* Water tray
* Seam roller
* Wallpaper smoothing brush
* Razor knife with lots of blades
* Broad knife
* Large sponge
* Bucket
* Pencil
* Ladders
Materials for Wallpapering
* Wallpaper
* Wallpaper paste (if needed)
* Rags
Tips for self before wallpapering
There are few things to keep in mind when wallpapering. Wallpapering is not difficult to do. The only part that would take a bit more effort of course would be trying to wallpaper the ceiling itself. Below lists some tips for oneself before starting a wallpapering project.
1. Always remember to use the appropriate tool for the job.
2. Blades should be kept sharp. Any dull blade will require excessive force. This can in turn be dangerous as you can slip and hurt yourself.
3. Self Safety – always wear safety goggles or glasses when using power tools to protect your eyes. Use a respirator or face mask when sanding or working with chemicals. Wear ear protection when operating power tools to protect your hearing. Tie back loose hair and make sure you wear appropriate clothing so that they don\’t get caught in power tools.
4. Power Tools – unplug power tools when making adjustments or changing attachments. Also unplug them when you’re not using them and store them away, keeping the work place clean and un-cluttered. Make sure that you ground your tools. Also make sure that any power cord is placed in a way that it does not interfere with the operation of the tool.
5. Any spills in the area must be wiped immediately.
6. Do not smoke or allow open flames, such as a pilot light, around solvents or solvent-based paints.
7. Dispose of rags carefully to avoid spontaneous combustion.
Tips for wallpapering
1. Always strip old wallpaper before applying new paper. This is because the seams and patterns of the old paper could possibly show through, giving you an end look that is unattractive.
2. Estimate the correct amount of wallpaper that you need. Measure the room with care and then multiply the entire distance in feet around the room by the height of the walls.
3. Begin at the corner of the room. A corner would be a good place to actually start your wallpapering task.
4. Leave 2 inch at the top and bottom of the wall as this will allow room for adjustments, to ensure that the paper will cover the full length of the wall It also gives you leeway should the pattern need matching.
5. Place a plumb line on the wall before you start wallpapering. Make the plumb line one-paper width away from the corner starting point. Match the first sheet with both the corner and plumb line.
6. Use a hard bristled brush to smooth out air bubbles when pasting the wallpaper. Any bubbles left behind will cause the paper to buckle or peel. Use a damp sponge or rag to wipe off access glue that seeps out at the edges. And remember to seal the edges by tolling with a wallpaper roller.
7. When you reach a corner, measure the distance from the corner to the last sheet hung. Cut a strip of paper ½ inch wider than the distance, then hang the paper (making sure it overlaps the corner). With the remainder of the sheet, from which the strip was cut, measure the width and mark a plumb line that width in on the new wall. Then paste this piece according to the plumb line.
