How to Wall Paper a Ceiling
You might want to hang wallpaper on a ceiling to cover up old stains and light cracks. Unlike hanging paper on a wall, papering a ceiling works against gravity; unless you are aware of a couple of tricks of the trade, you might be considering leaving the job to professionals. However, hanging wallpaper on a ceiling is a fairly easy process, with a little preparation and the assistance of a friend. Choose a simple wallpaper that doesn't have a fussy design. White or cream wallpaper, with or without embossing, works well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wallpaper
- Clay-based adhesive
- Acrylic primer
- Chalk line
- Wallpaper smoothing brush
- Razor knife
- Ladder
- A friend
Instructions
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Prepare your surface. Wash the ceiling with warm, soapy water. Smooth out any bumps with sandpaper.
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2
Leave the ceiling to dry for about an hour, then paint the surface with a high quality primer. Let it dry for the time indicated on the primer (usually 2 to 4 hours).
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Choose an area to start wallpapering. Select an area in one corner of the room. Make sure the area you want to start work in is straight by snapping a chalk line. You can enlist the help of a friend to hold one end of the chalk line.
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Measure the chalk line to get the length of one strip of wallpaper. Add 1 foot to this length. Cut the wallpaper to the calculated length with scissors.
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Follow the wallpaper manufacturer's instructions for preparing the wallpaper for hanging, making sure to use a strong, clay-based wallpaper paste.
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Line up the wallpaper with the chalk line and smooth the paper into place with the sponge. Your friend should hold the wallpaper as you roll.
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Continue to paper the ceiling, lining up the edges of the wallpaper. Do not worry at this point about any overlap at the edges.
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Use a trim guard and a razor knife to trim off the edges of the paper.
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid having to constantly move ladders, create a walkway by stretching a 12 inch x 1 inch x 10 foot pine board between the rungs of two ladders.
Don't attempt to do this job alone. Hanging ceiling wallpaper without the help of a friend is impossible without some professional equipment (or a complicated, home-constructed rig).
