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ricelake922's avatar
ricelake922
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015

Challenges replacing the wallpaper

I had some water damage to the bedroom and removed all the wallpaper. I sprayed the walls with mold deterrent, sandpapered and then primed with oil primer. I purchased wallpaper that could be painted. The wallpaper will not stick to the walls. Place I bought the wallpaper from say I should use glue. Don't really want to do that as I am working in a small space. I am thinking of just painting the walls but will have to use alot of filler as some of the wall wood peeled off. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Class A
  • Deano56's avatar
    Deano56
    Explorer
    Sep 28, 2015
    ccxnola wrote:
    For the ceiling, the tension in the bow of the roof held it in place and I put in small screws under the trim for the light fittings, a/c and along the sides - covered by the trim pieces.

    On the walls, I used brass screws - placed as would happen with a wood panel (not aligned with the plastic panel, but rather as would look like an actual wood siding). I used trim strips of actual cedar (buy the cheap fence pieces - cut and plane them) for around the sides, windows and base (screws under the trim). And it does have a very pleasant cedar odor - if you like the out-of-doors.
    any pictures?
  • Bikeboy57's avatar
    Bikeboy57
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Ok, the oil based primer is too slick for prepasted wallpaper to stick too.

    Step one, scuff the wall with a scotchbrite pad.
    Step two, paint the wall with wallpaper size.
    Step three, paint the back of the wallpaper with industrial wallpaper paste. A thin coat applied with a roller works well.

    It will stick, and it will be removable.


    The reason you want to use the heavy paste in addition to the prepaste is that RV use with expansion and contraction, changes in humidity, and changes in temperature are a challenge more so than a stationary structure.

    I am assuming you are using a commercial vinyl, and not ordinary house wallpaper.
  • ccxnola's avatar
    ccxnola
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Jim,
    I do not know about the roads you travel, but many I have traversed would simply shake the texture off of the walls of the RV!! (Think I-10 East of Lake Charles, LA.) It is my opinion that an RV with all the movement of the structure need a covering that is well & truly fastened securely.

    Just as a note, when I pulled up the carpeting in the present rig to lay manufactured OAK TIG flooring, there must have been 10,000 staples in the carpet to hold it down & in-place. It never moved or bunched-up, just became well worn after several cleanings. We love the wood flooring, but the rollers for the slide have made a discoloration on the surface. When I polish & clean the floor, most does come up, but not all - I guess I don't work at it enough. But it is under a throw rug, so no big deal.
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2015
    I would tape and texture the walls just like drywall. Then prime and paint.
  • ccxnola's avatar
    ccxnola
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    For the ceiling, the tension in the bow of the roof held it in place and I put in small screws under the trim for the light fittings, a/c and along the sides - covered by the trim pieces.

    On the walls, I used brass screws - placed as would happen with a wood panel (not aligned with the plastic panel, but rather as would look like an actual wood siding). I used trim strips of actual cedar (buy the cheap fence pieces - cut and plane them) for around the sides, windows and base (screws under the trim). And it does have a very pleasant cedar odor - if you like the out-of-doors.
  • ricelake922's avatar
    ricelake922
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    Thank you for your response. How did you attach the acrylic/plastic panelling?
  • ricelake922's avatar
    ricelake922
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    ccxnola wrote:
    I had a similar situation in a previous rig.
    The walls and ceiling were awful!!
    I found a thin plastic / acrylic paneling that could be sawed, cut and was very flexible. An 8 foot sheet was perfect for the ceiling - with the bow in the roof, it fit and the side trim covered the edges. I made the cutouts for the lights and air cond. Worked Great!! (I used a white with silver star specs for the ceiling.)

    For the walls, I selected a cedar wood grain effect in the same product. Horizontal application and the bedroom looked like a mountain cabin!!
    Be creative - there are MANY possibilities!!
  • ccxnola's avatar
    ccxnola
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    I had a similar situation in a previous rig.
    The walls and ceiling were awful!!
    I found a thin plastic / acrylic paneling that could be sawed, cut and was very flexible. An 8 foot sheet was perfect for the ceiling - with the bow in the roof, it fit and the side trim covered the edges. I made the cutouts for the lights and air cond. Worked Great!! (I used a white with silver star specs for the ceiling.)

    For the walls, I selected a cedar wood grain effect in the same product. Horizontal application and the bedroom looked like a mountain cabin!!
    Be creative - there are MANY possibilities!!
  • ricelake922's avatar
    ricelake922
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2015
    I am not worried about the fumes but more about removing the wallpaper if I need to and was wondering if anyone has different alternatives to wallpapering?
  • 2bzy2c's avatar
    2bzy2c
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2015
    Oil primer? Why?

    That may be your problem. I would think any water based wall paper adhesive would have a hard time sticking to an oil based primer.

    I am no expert, but it just struck me as odd

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