There are more reasons as to why you would want to plaster over a wall, including covering up damage or updating the look of the room. No matter what your reasons, you may be wondering if you can put plaster over wallpapered surfaces. Let’s take a look at the answer to “can you put plaster over wallpaper? (how to).
It is possible to plaster over wallpaper, although some experts do not recommend taking on this task. This is because the wallpaper is fairly dry and when you skim the plaster over the surface, it needs an adhesive and tacky surface to properly bond with.
It’s always best to first remove the wallpaper before plastering over the wall. If you’re unable to peel the wallpaper off, try using water to soak small sections of the wallpaper at a time. If it still doesn’t want to come off, try applying some plaster on a small section of the wallpaper first and allow it to dry. Wait several days and then inspect the area for any signs that the plaster isn’t adhering to the wallpaper.
Should You Put Plaster Over Wallpaper?
The truth is, you shouldn’t put plaster over wallpaper because wallpaper just doesn’t make a good surface for plaster to adhere to. Trying to apply this substance to wallpaper wastes your time and money, and can even cause more damage to the wall.
The problem you should look out for when considering putting plaster over wallpaper is the adhesion. Wallpaper doesn’t provide the right type of surface for plaster to stick to. If you plaster over wallpaper, the plaster will start to crack and fall off.
The best thing to do in this situation is to simply remove the wallpaper from the surface before plastering. Once the wallpaper is removed, the wall can be cleaned and repaired, if there is damage present, and then covered with plaster.
Alternatively, consider hiring a plasterer to look at the wall, if you cannot get the wallpaper off, and see what suggestions they may have for your situation. They may have a work around that will suit your needs.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Wallpaper?
If you do decide to go ahead and plaster over wallpaper even though it isn’t recommended, you will need a few tools to complete the job. Thankfully, these tools are not too expensive and are readily available at home improvement and department stores.
The tools required are water, TSP, rags, plastic sheets, plastering knives, and plaster. The entire wall will need to be cleaned with water and TSP and allowed to dry before applying the plaster.
You will also need safety glasses and rubber gloves when working with TSP, which is a common cleaner used to prep walls before painting. It is heavy duty and can get stuck-on grease, grime, and dirt off of walls.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 1, 2022.
Once the wall is washed, rinsed, and dry, cover the floor and furniture near the area you are working with plastic sheets or tarps. Use the joint compound to fill in any small holes or cracks in the wall and then spread the plaster over the surface with a plastering knife.
Have some paper towels and extra water on hand as well to help clean up the putty knives, or any surface that may have unintentionally had plaster on it. It can be difficult to keep plaster from splattering or falling when applying, but having paper towels and water ready will help you quickly clean up these messes.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Wallpaper?
Before you can begin plastering over wallpaper, you will need to do a bit of preparation ahead of time. While it may seem like a good idea to skip this step, properly prepping the walls is an important aspect to help ensure the plaster sticks to the walls properly. Keep reading to learn more about the required prep work for this job.
If you want to do the job correctly, all the wallpaper will need to be removed before plastering. The wall will then need to be cleaned with TSP and water, and allowed to dry completely. Any damage, holes, or cracks in the wall will also need to be repaired before applying the plaster.
You may also want to either move the furniture out of the room you are working in, or cover the furniture with plastic tarps or sheets. This will help reduce the chance of damage if any plaster accidentally comes in contact with your furniture.
How To Put Plaster Over Wallpaper
If you don’t want to or simply cannot remove the wallpaper, you can still try to apply plaster over the wallpaper. Just remember that the results may not be as you have hoped, and the plaster may start to crack and fall off the wall.
After you have prepped the walls and the room, you can start putting plaster over the wallpaper. Add some of the plaster to a tray and then use your plaster knife to scoop up about ¼ cup of the plaster. Then simply spread the plaster over the wallpapered surface.
Begin at the edge of your wall, holding the plaster knife at a 45 degree angle against the wall, and pull it towards you, smearing the plaster over the wallpaper. A good general rule of thumb is to have about ¼ inch thick of plaster on the wall, so keep that in mind when applying it.
Take the knife and pull it back across the plaster once again, but this time in a different direction. Continue in this manner until you have plastered the entire wallpapered wall.
Keep in mind that you can always make several swipes across the plaster in varying directions until you obtain the look you like.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 1, 2022.
One of the good things about plaster is that you don’t have to work too quickly, since it can still be workable within an hour after application. That does mean, however, that it takes longer to dry.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 1, 2022.