How To Prepare Your Wall For A Mural
To ensure that your mural has a long and healthy life, it's important to prepare the wall correctly before installation. Below is a quick guide to preparing your wall for your new mural.
Painted Walls
If your wall is painted, we recommend that the mural is installed on Eggshell - High Gloss paint only, no Flat Paint. Old, flaking paint will need to be scraped and sanded to a smooth surface. Finish with a good quality wall sealer/ primer. For freshly painted walls, allow 2 to 3 weeks drying time before installing your mural.
Wallpapered Walls
Remove any old wallpaper before installation. Clean, seal/prime before installation. Self-Adhesive Murals Wall surfaces MUST be smooth, flat and free of flaky paint, dust or other contaminants, the final finish must be a primer/sealer. This material has a small amount of transparency, so primers other than white may show through slightly, depending on the colors contained within your mural print itself.
Plaster
Ensure that your plastered wall is clean and dry with no loose plaster or contaminants. Finish with a good quality seal/primer.
How To Install a Non-Adhesive Mural
Items you will need to install your mural:
- Wall Paste
- Small Bucket of Water
- Clean Sponge
- Paint Roller
- Wallpaper Smoother
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Brush
- Sharp Knife
- Pencil
Lay out your wall mural
Your mural will be supplied on a roll and divided into panels. Carefully lay them out flat for at least 5 hours. The panels are numbered in the order they are to be hung, from left to right. Before application, sponge/ spray your prepared wall with water.
Draw a straight vertical line on your wall
Create a guideline using a spirit level and tape measure by drawing a straight line vertically, a panel's width in from the edge of the wall. Remember to deduct the measurement of the bleed/extra bit of paper. This will help you guide your panel into place to ensure it's applied straight.
Apply the wallpaper paste to the wall
Use a medium pile paint roller to apply the paste to the wall, in the area the first panel will be installed. Apply the first panel to the pasted area and try not to squeeze any paste out of the edges. Make sure that you leave any extra bleed at the top, bottom and side for trimming later. Smooth a damp sponge or brush to gently smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles from the top of the panel to the bottom. The wallpaper smoother also works well for removing bubbles, slowly pushing the bubbles to the edge of the paper. Not too much pressure as you don’t want to tear the mural.
Match up the panels
Paste the wall before each panel. Apply the second and subsequent panels. Ensure that the pattern or image matches up as each panel is applied. Slide each panel into place, making sure they are edge to edge - without overlapping and without leaving any gaps. Smooth each panel with a damp sponge or brush after each application.
Trim any excess
When all panels have been installed, carefully trim the top, bottom and far left and right sides of your mural with a sharp blade. Use a damp sponge/brush to remove any excess paste.
How To Install Peel and Stick Wall Mural
Items you will need to hang your peel and stick wallpaper:
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Sharp Knife
- Pencil
- Wallpaper Smoother
Lay out your peel and stick wall mural
Your mural will be supplied on a roll and divided into panels. Carefully lay them out flat for at least 5 hours. The panels are numbered in the order they are to be hung, from left to right. We advise that you sponge the wall prior to installing the panels to ensure the wall is perfectly clean and ready for your mural. Please ensure your wall is fully dry before installing your mural.
Draw a straight vertical line
Create a guideline using a spirit level and tape measure by drawing a straight line vertically, a panel's width in from the edge of the wall. Remember to deduct the measurement of the bleed/extra bit of paper. This will help you guide your panel into place to ensure it's applied straight.
Peel off the backing
Take your first panel and carefully peel a small amount of the top of the mural from the backing paper. Apply the top of the panel to the wall, ensuring that the right hand edge aligns with your vertical line. Carefully peel away the rest of the mural from the backing paper and gently apply it to the wall working down towards the bottom of the panel. If you need to re-position any part of the panel, simply peel the appropriate amount away from the wall and re-apply. Gently smooth out the mural as you go using the wallpaper smoother.
Continue applying the panels
Apply the second and subsequent panels, making sure that the panels are laid edge to edge - without overlapping and without leaving any gaps. Ensure that the pattern or image matches up as you apply each panel.
Trim off any excess
When all panels have been installed, carefully trim the top, bottom and far left and right sides of your mural with a sharp blade.