Proper preparation is the key to success…
As you prepare to install your beautiful, newly selected wallpaper pattern to the focal area in your home, it is important to take a few steps to insure a quality installation. The preparation of the walls is an important factor in completing a satisfactory installation of wallpaper.
The walls should be clean and debris free, in new construction this may require a large sweep brush to knock any dust from the walls.
If the home has orange peel texture and you intend to install the wallpaper over the top of orange peel texture, then be sure there are no rough bumps on the wall which could potentially pop through the paper. Running your hand across the wall is a good way to detect any rough bumps. Also, you can drag your metal straight edge spatula across the wall to knock any roughage off the wall.
Many homeowners prefer for the wallpaper to be installed on a smooth wall. If this is your preference, then you will want to call in a drywall contractor and request skim coating to be completed on the wall. It is a messy process and much drywall dust will spread through your home, so just be mentally prepared, so the mess is not upsetting to you.
It is important that you do not install wallpaper directly to exposed dry wall. The walls must be protected and sealed with high quality paint or primer. My top preference of primer is acrylic z-prime. Z-prime is a thick, white, low odor primer.
You should allow the walls to cure for a minimum of 24 hours after priming before installing wallpaper to the wall.