Finishing plastering of walls for gluing wallpaper

An essential step in getting your house ready for wallpaper is plastering the walls. Whether you are finishing a new construction or remodeling an old home, smooth and even walls are necessary for a perfect wallpaper application.

A thin, smooth layer of plaster is applied during the finishing plastering process to provide the ideal surface for wallpaper. This procedure makes sure that any flaws, like bumps, cracks, or uneven areas, are covered, giving your chosen wallpaper design a clean canvas.

Correct plastering not only improves the look of your walls but also lengthens the life of your wallpaper. The wallpaper won’t peel or lift over time if the walls are properly plastered to keep out moisture and air bubbles.

We’ll walk you through the process of finishing plaster walls so you can apply wallpaper adhesively in this article. We’ll go over everything you need to know to get expert results, from surface preparation to plaster application.

How to apply plaster to walls under wallpaper

To improve adhesion, level the base, and remove irregularities, plaster the walls beneath the wallpaper by hand. There are multiple steps to the process, which involves dusting, priming, plastering, and cleaning the walls of outdated finishing materials. A composition of cement or gypsum is used to complete the work.

Choosing a material

Selecting a finishing material is necessary prior to plastering the walls. Considering the type of base and the technical properties of the plaster mixture, you can decide which plaster is superior. The components, textures, and consistency of materials vary. Plaster can be made on-site or purchased already constructed.

Gypsum mixtures for walls

Gypsum plaster can be used in place of putty and is used for finishing and decorating projects. A gypsum solution can be used to coat the base in a thin layer. A surface that has been plastered with a gypsum mixture can be covered with wallpaper. The granularity of the gypsum mixture can vary, and it is diluted with water to create the solution. Different ratios of powder to water can be used to create different plaster consistencies. You can use dense gypsum plaster to cover up cracks.

The ideal temperature range for plastering with a gypsum mixture is +5–+30°C. The standard ratio is 2:1 between powder and water. About 8 kg are consumed per square meter. About 60 minutes is the setting time. Wallpaper made with gypsum plaster dries in seven days.

Ninety-seven percent of the plaster’s ingredients are natural and do not release harmful gases when heated. The substance is secure and safe for the environment. Following application, the chosen shade is achieved on a smooth base. It sticks very well to a variety of materials. There is not much specific gravity. The final composition has a high degree of elasticity, which prevents the surface from shrinking or cracking. The material resists mildew and mold and has a high vapor permeability. Its coating resists fire.

It is important to consider the material’s low moisture resistance when using it, as the best conditions for the product are dry air and humidity levels between 65 and 70 percent. The high price and low resistance to mechanical damage when compared to artificial building materials are the drawbacks.

A thin or medium-thick layer of wallpaper is adhered to the plastered surface using adhesive. The mass’s thickness shouldn’t be more than 0.5 cm.

Cement mortar

A thick layer of 5 mm is applied using plaster cement mixtures. Finishing materials are used to fill surface cracks and level defects by mixing cement powder with them. The application process involves multiple layers. It is advised to use the mixture to finish basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets because cement finishing materials can tolerate high air humidity.

It should be noted, though, that a surface plastered with a cement base composition containing coarse sand will eventually develop a rough texture. You’ll need to putty the walls before you can apply wallpaper. Rough surfaces (brickwork, a monolithic concrete base, a wooden wall covered in chain-link mesh) are treated with cement mortar.

  • cement-sand with modifying additives;
  • lime-cement (differ in the presence of lime).

Choosing the right mixture for the right kind of base is essential before plastering the walls. Cement mortars are a useful tool for smoothing down surfaces composed of various materials. By applying a thick layer, you can fill in floor joints and remove cracks and variations in height. Plastering with cement mortar improves the wall’s strength and resistance to mechanical damage.

This plaster has a strength range of 6–12 MPa. When applied in a 1 cm layer, the finishing mixture consumes 12–20 kg/m². Frozen resistance is up to 50 cycles.

It is okay to wallpaper after seventy-two hours. In 10–30 days, the hardening process is finished. Plasticizers are added to the composition to increase plasticity.

Tools and accessories

  • construction mixer;
  • putty knife;
  • Master OK;
  • containers;
  • falcon;
  • trowel;
  • a set of spatulas of different sizes;
  • rule;
  • graters;
  • plaster ladle;
  • brushes;
  • set of rollers;
  • building level;
  • cord;
  • construction tape;
  • yardstick.

If required, level the surface, corners, and metal or fiberglass reinforcing mesh using beacons.

Preparing the wall surface for wallpapering

You have to get ready before you plaster the apartment’s walls beneath the wallpaper. The quality of leveling the base determines the plaster layer’s uniformity of application and the pasted wallpaper’s aesthetic appeal.

  • cleaning of old finishing materials;
  • foundation inspection;
  • impregnation of surfaces with antiseptic solutions;
  • priming;
  • sealing cracks and joints with putty;
  • installation of beacons.

Removal of old finishes

The apartment’s walls must be plastered over thoroughly cleaned surfaces. You must remove previous coatings (wallpaper, paint mixes, and dyes) before leveling the walls correctly. Use a small hammer to tap the walls in order to remove peeling bits of old primer and putty. The right tools are used to process the surface based on the type of wall (hammers, hammer drills, etc.). The previous coating is removed from the foundation of the brickwork or concrete.

Preparation of the base

The wall is examined once more in preparation for processing at the following step. It will be necessary to isolate any damp areas of the wall that have mold on them. Following an investigation into the cause of the elevated coating humidity, the flaws are repaired. The regions are then dried.

Areas affected by mold are cleaned using dissolved bleach or antiseptic solutions. Following treatment and drying, a protective primer is applied to the walls. Primer mixtures aid in improving adhesion and strengthening the surface.

A brush or specialized painting roller is used to apply the primer. Without the need of putty, smooth surfaces free of cracks can be ready for plastering.

Installation of beacons

Sometimes installing beacons is followed by plastering the walls covered in wallpaper. This process makes even walls possible for applying wallpaper with varying densities and is required when there are height variations and depressions.

  • standard profiles;
  • cuttings of metal pipes;
  • wooden bars;
  • string metal structures.
  • beacons are installed starting from the corner of the room;
  • 4-5 portions of plaster mixture are applied from top to bottom;
  • a wooden lath or part of a metal profile is installed in the applied solution;
  • the next beacon is installed on the opposite side of the room;
  • after the plaster solution has dried, a strong twine is pulled;
  • the remaining beacons are installed along the stretched line;
  • it is necessary to maintain a distance of up to 1 m between the beacons.

Preparation of the solution

The following step involves creating a plaster solution using the dry material. The work is completed in compliance with the directions found on the packaging. Considerations include the ratios of water to finishing mixture and the appropriate temperature for solution preparation and application.

Manual preparation

The information listed in the building mixture instructions, which is based on the product’s volume per square meter, will be needed when employing the manual method. The amount of material needed for the room is determined by accounting for the area that needs to be treated.

In a container, dry powder and water are combined in the necessary ratio. There may be situations where more plasticizers are needed. It is imperative to prepare gypsum-based solutions in small amounts because they harden quickly and are not appropriate for finishing work.

Mechanical mixing

Utilizing a mechanized approach expedites the mixing process. For the task, a construction mixer is necessary, though.

  1. A small amount of water is poured into the container.
  2. Dry plaster is added to the liquid in portions.
  3. Using a mixer, mix the solution.
  4. During the process, you can change the consistency of the plaster by adding dry powder or water.
  5. The finished mass should be held on the trowel.
Step Description
Preparation Clean the wall and remove any loose material
Mixing Plaster Prepare the plaster according to the manufacturer"s instructions
Applying Plaster Apply a thin, even layer of plaster to the wall using a trowel
Smoothing Use a plastering float to smooth out the plaster
Drying Allow the plaster to dry completely
Sanding Lightly sand the dried plaster to create a smooth surface
Priming Apply a primer to the plastered wall to prepare for wallpaper

For the best wallpaper application, you must finish plastering your walls to create a level and smooth surface. This procedure guarantees the wallpaper’s longevity and durability while also improving the room’s aesthetic appeal. Common problems like bubbles, wrinkles, and uneven wallpaper patterns can be avoided by taking the time to carefully prepare and plaster your walls.

Plastering requires meticulous attention to detail, from properly mixing the plaster to applying it with smooth, steady strokes. Before proceeding to the next step, make sure that each layer has had enough time to dry completely. Your patience will pay off in the end, yielding a high-quality canvas that is ideal for your wallpaper.

Always remember that accuracy and preparation are essential for successful wall finishing. An even layer of plaster, smoothed over any imperfections, and properly primed walls will result in a smooth surface ready for wallpaper. Your walls will be expertly finished with the correct methods and equipment, making them an exquisite background for any wallpaper pattern you decide on.

In order to achieve a smooth, perfect surface that guarantees the wallpaper adheres correctly and looks its best, finishing the plastering of walls before applying wallpaper is an essential step. The wall must be meticulously prepped before a thin, even layer of plaster is applied and sanded to a flawless finish. Homeowners can create a professional-quality base that improves the look and durability of their wallpaper by using the right tools and techniques.

Video on the topic

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Andrey Ivanov

Experienced civil engineer with more than 20 years of experience. Specializing in the construction of industrial and civil facilities. Author of many publications in professional journals.

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