Frequently Asked
Questions
What
is the difference between pre-pasted and un-pasted wall
murals?
All wallpaper murals fall into one of two categories;
Pre-pasted and
Un-pasted. Most
of the manufacturers of the un-pasted murals place a
small packet of powdered paste inside the box at the
manufacturing facility. The powdered paste must be mixed
with water and brushed onto the back of the mural before
installing. The un-pasted murals arrive to you in
panels. Each panel is approximately 4' x 3'. You apply
the panels to the wall one at a time to create the
mural. All un-pasted murals are printed on a heavy paper
stock, they are not washable. This is true with ANY
un-pasted wall mural sold anywhere. The pre-pasted
murals are actually pre-pasted wallpaper. They arrive to
you in 18" wide rolls. The height of the particular
mural you purchase will determine the length of that
roll, but the width is always 18". The paste is already
on the back of the mural. To install you simply unroll a
panel and dip it into water, let it sit for a few
minutes, and then smooth onto the wall. Each panel is
numbered so when you put them up in the right order they
will create the picture. The pre-pasted murals are
washable with soap and water and removable by simply
peeling away from the wall. Un-pasted murals usually
require steaming to reconstitute the paste, followed by
scraping to remove.
Can
I put a mural on my wall if it is concrete, cinder
block, has a rough stucco or orange-peel texture, or
already has paneling on it?
Yes - depending
on the type of wall, you may have to do one the
following:
Hang lining
paper: Using a heavy duty adhesive apply Wall
Liner to the wall where the mural is to be placed.
Sometimes it helps to paste both the wall surface and
the back of the lining paper since the lining paper is
porous and heavy. Once the lining paper has dried, apply
a primer/sealer. If applying Heavy Duty Wall Liner to
cinder-block, concrete or wood paneling, it is best to
use an un-pasted wall liner and liberally apply a heavy
duty adhesive. This will ensure that the wall liner
stays on the wall. Other methods include:
Floating the Walls: Use a broad knife to trowel
the joint compound over the rough walls in light, even
coats. After the wall is at the preferred smoothness,
allow to dry. Prime the newly smooth surface with 2
coats of primer/sealer. Or using a heavy duty adhesive,
apply a Heavy Duty wall liner to the wall where the
mural is to be placed.
Sanding: If the texture is minimal, this process
is adequate and time-saving. After sanding, a
primer/sealer is applied. This method is the least
preferred, however, because of the labor and the dust
that covers the entire house. Applying a Heavy Duty wall
liner will also cover lightly textured walls.
Wood-paneled walls: Wash thoroughly with a
deglossing solution and water, then sand smooth. Fill
vertical grooves of paneling with spackle and apply
primer. Seal with acrylic or alkyd primer, allow to
cure, and hang wall mural. Or using a heavy duty
adhesive, apply Heavy Duty wall liner to the wall where
the mural is to be placed.
