Easier way to do this? Wallpaper border

Sweet Melissa · 04-02-2008, 08:11 AM

So, I bought some wallpaper border from Cabela's that I really like. I would like to put it up mid-wall, and paint below it, leaving the upper part of the wall the same.

One problem is that I have a slightly textured wall, and the other problem is that the border has an uneven edge. I only need to do about 15', though.

My plan is to cut the border to the length it needs to be, temporarily tack it up, and draw the outline of the edge. Then, sand within the outline, primer, and paint over it.

If this is the only way to do it, I can handle it. But I'm wondering if there is an easier way. Like somehow building up to a smooth surface, instead of sanding down. The texture is uneven, but not really thick.

I really like the border, so I don't want to get something else. Thoughts from anyone? This is my weekend project.

crazyinoregon · 04-02-2008, 08:20 AM

to solve the uneven edges you might try putting on some chair rail molding like this:

that would cover either the top or bottom of the border. I dont think you would want it on top and bottom of it though.

Sweet Melissa · 04-02-2008, 08:32 AM

Unfortunately, that would mess with the design of the border.

You can see the problem here. The uneven edge is part of the effect.

HiTekRdNek · 04-02-2008, 02:45 PM

You might just put the glue on the paper ( if it's not selfstick) then use a brush to put it down.
That will leave more glue under the paper. To even everything out.
If it is self stick just put it up. You won't really notice it that much.
Hint: If you can find a laserlevel it will make getting it level much easier.
Hope this helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Melissa

Unfortunately, that would mess with the design of the border.

You can see the problem here. The uneven edge is part of the effect.

wthr4d · 04-02-2008, 04:17 PM

Find the midline of your border, measure the distance from the midline that is completely covers the wall. Mark your mid line on the wall and your top and bottom "meridian" lines. (like the equator and the tropic lines) primer the width of your border (beyond the lines) and let it dry, then apply a thin coat of drywall topping compund, just enough to smooth out the bumps. let dry and lightly hand sand. Prime the wall and paint. use your mid line and meridian lines to guide the break in your painting. Apply the border after your paint is dry.

there are other short cuts I can think of but thats the way I would do it if you hired me. let me know if you have questions. i'd be happy to talk you through it.

Paul

STGRule · 04-02-2008, 05:52 PM

Just take a small piece and glue it up. I'll bet you don't even notice the texture. Especially if it is a thick paper. If you test it, you will know whether you need to worry about the hard stuff.

SilverBullets · 04-02-2008, 06:32 PM

Back in the 70's I wallpapered for 5 years. We used a hook scraper to remove the texture from the walls. I think instead of doing this, tape off the area above & below where your border will go and use drywall mud/ spackle to smooth out the wall. Use shellac to seal afterwards, do not use lacquer as the paste will not stick to it. If the paper is prepasted, use a mixture of water & buy a small amount of paste to add to it (sometimes the prepasted paper has been on a shelf too long, and the paste on back of paper goes bad after a while. In addition, brush some past on wall along top & bottom edge where paper will lay, to help keep edges from fraying. Clean up with a wet sponge...I hope this helps, good luck!

Sweet Melissa · 04-02-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STGRule

Just take a small piece and glue it up. I'll bet you don't even notice the texture. Especially if it is a thick paper. If you test it, you will know whether you need to worry about the hard stuff.

I started to write that I have exactly 15' of border and exactly 15' of wall, so testing it would not work. But... I need to cut out a patch where the light switch has to go. So, I can test it with the patch I cut out. I'd thought about doing a test patch, but didn't think I had any to spare.

The problem with the other ideas (thanks for all of them), is that the border has an uneven edge, as I mentioned. So, unless I sand/primer/apply drywall compound to match the border exactly, there are going to be patches where there is either smooth wall where it should be textured or textured wall where it should be smooth. The border is generally 9" high, but some places it is less than 9" and others it is more than 9". In some places it varies by over an inch.

Whatever I do, it's going to have to be done right the first time. It will be right at eye level behind the dining room table, so mistakes will be pretty noticeable. Probably more so by me than anyone else, but I'd still like to do it right.

Thanks again for the ideas.

wthr4d · 04-03-2008, 08:31 AM

it sounds like what you are headed for is smoothing the area, painting and applying the border, then re-texturing the after the fact? WOW! thats a lot of work, I'd almost want to just retexture the whole wall instead.

good luck and don't be so hard on yourself. the right colors and patterns have a great way of hiding inconsistencies.

Paul

Sweet Melissa · 04-03-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wthr4d

WOW! thats a lot of work, I'd almost want to just retexture the whole wall instead.

Paul

I'm going to try a test spot. I have decided that if the particular border I picked doesn't look good over the texture, I am just going to order a different border. Cabela's borders are nice, and there are a lot to choose from.

This was my first choice, but after thinking about it, I'm not going to spend $200 and 20 hours to put it up when I can buy a different border for $13 and spend half the time on it.

I am definitely changing my ways, because 5 yrs. ago I would have just done it the hard way. Not sure if I'm getting smarter or lazier.