So let me start off by saying that the first panel of wallpaper went up really easy, and then every piece after was a bit of a pain haha. The instructions (and youtube videos) don’t tell you exactly how much water to use to make it sticky enough, so you’re just guessing, it claims you can slide the wallpaper around for a good 20 minutes or so as you adjust it which is NOT TRUE, they mention nothing in the instructions about how to line up the pattern, and they make cutting the wallpaper at the ceiling or around anything super easy looking. So here’s my advice and steps for putting up SureStrip wallpaper:
If you’re doing new drywall, make the wall as flat as possible, no texture, even check for the smallest little bumps because they will show. If you’re doing wallpaper over a wall that’s already been textured, I suggest sanding it.
Make sure your wall has 2 coats of paint/primer on it. We had brand new drywall so we had to paint it.
When spraying the back of your wallpaper, use more water then you think and really make sure you get the edges (our edges kept drying out)
After you get the first panel up, and before you cut your next panel, take the roll of wallpaper into the space and figure out where exactly the pattern lines up at. You’ll most likely be cutting off a few inches at the top to adjust for the pattern.
Wait to cut off any excess wallpaper at the ceiling, etc. until the wallpaper is dry and not tacky anymore, otherwise you run the risk of tearing it (it’s very fragile)
The wallpaper does not slide around like a youtube video may show you. It barely moves, so really make sure it’s in the place you want it. It also dries fast so place it quickly.
This is NOT a one person job despite what the internet may say. It took two of us because there is always a part of the wallpaper to hold while applying the other part, one of us was always grabbing something for the other person (the spray bottle, exacto knife, paper towel, scissors, etc.), and it’s also good to have a second set of eyes to chat the pattern line up.
Overall, I’m glad we did it. It’s not perfect (this was our first time and we had some tricky spots to cut around on the wall because of our wall mounted faucets), but I think it looks pretty good!! I’d always wanted wallpaper somewhere, and I think this little section adds a big punch. If you’re wondering, it took us 1 roll of this wallpaper to complete the wall and we had a few tiny strips leftover.