Liquid wallpaper: characteristics of the material. Composition of liquid wallpaper Properties of liquid wallpaper advantages and disadvantages

Liquid wallpaper is a material containing decorative fiber components, reminiscent of decorative plaster, pleasant to the touch. Such coatings are environmentally safe for health, functional and fit well into modern interiors. They have a fairly simple composition, and anyone can prepare it themselves.

Description and characteristics

Among the features are the following:

  • saving time when finishing the premises;
  • level the walls a little;
  • they can be reused;
  • with proper use they are durable.

Liquid wallpaper has the following characteristics:

  • antistatic properties;
  • repel dust;
  • resistant to fading;
  • environmentally friendly;
  • thermal insulation;
  • soundproofing;
  • aesthetic appearance.

Look at the photo to see what liquid wallpaper looks like in the interior.

Advantages

By using liquid wallpaper can be produced partial renovation, to do this, it is enough to clean a piece of the surface from the old ones and apply a new composition to this place. The advantage is that you don’t have to select a pattern, since there are no seams when covering walls with liquid wallpaper. The description of the benefits looks like this:


You cannot paste such wallpaper over the walls of a room with high humidity, as well as apartments with pets. If the area is damaged, it will be difficult to choose the same shade for the patch, so it is better to have additional materials.

Compound

You can make liquid wallpaper with your own hands. The composition usually includes:

Components for liquid wallpaper can be sold separately or in finished form. Such mixtures are made at the manufacturing plant. The finished mixtures should be fluffed before gluing so that there are no sticky lumps in the mixture.

There are several options for making liquid wallpaper with your own hands at home. For the first, you will need to buy ordinary cotton wool at the pharmacy, which should be carefully chopped with scissors. To achieve the desired color, use any fabric dye. Plain paper is also used to make wallpaper.

Then add wool, cellulose or synthetic threads to the liquid wallpaper; you can buy several skeins different colors and cut them into pieces.

Bustilate glue, which has high moisture resistance, acts as a binding agent. Need to buy at a haberdashery store decorative elements: sparkles, beads and others. Choose dyes of different colors in the store; with their help you can create interesting effects on the walls: transitions and stains. Unlike ready-made mixtures, a hand-selected composition allows you to create wallpaper that is unique in texture and color.

How to make it yourself

To prepare liquid wallpaper, it will take about 6-12 hours; you need to start preparing the composition at the stage of priming the walls.


You can include paper in liquid wallpaper. To do this you will need:


How to knead correctly

When purchasing a ready-made mixture, there is always a description of the preparation process. For all types it is almost the same:


How to properly make liquid wallpaper with your own hands, watch the video:

Gluing technology

The following tools are used for gluing liquid wallpaper: a trowel, a grater, a spatula, a gun and a spray bottle.

DIY application sequence:


How to properly hang liquid wallpaper with your own hands is shown in the video:

Tips for independent work with liquid wallpaper:


Liquid wallpaper is functional, environmentally friendly, pleasant to the touch, easy to install and maintain, suitable for different rooms and styles. They are most often used in the corridor, due to their resistance to dirt. Selecting a high-quality composition yourself is not difficult, the main thing is to observe the proportions and maintain the cooking time. Take into account our advice on gluing coating technology and create competent interiors!

Liquid wallpaper is actually silk plaster, which is made according to technical specifications 5462-001-96321814-2009. However, the first name has taken root most firmly in the CIS countries. This is decorative finishing coat intended for finishing ceilings and walls. It combines the properties of rolled wallpaper and plaster, as well as paint and varnish coatings.

What is liquid wallpaper

The formed layer has a structure that is pleasant to the touch, and when dry, the composition resembles an ornamental material for children's creativity. In fact, it is a cellulose mixture that contains decorative fiber components. Quite often, consumers confuse liquid wallpaper with regular plaster. The difference between these materials is that liquid wallpaper does not contain sand. The base is cellulose, which is an adhesive, harmless natural substance.

Liquid wallpaper "Fort" and its composition

In its original form, Fort liquid wallpaper, the composition of which you can find out if you read the information below, is a dry substance that is packaged in plastic bags. Before use, the contents of the package are diluted with water, the volume of which will depend on the instructions for use. Typically, the ingredients of the described material include:

  • cellulose;
  • silk;
  • dyes;
  • adhesive binders;
  • fungicides of natural origin;
  • decorative components;
  • plasticizers.

As for decorative components, they can be presented:

  • glitters;
  • mother of pearl;
  • flock;
  • mineral crumbs;
  • mica.

Liquid wallpaper can be classified by dividing it into:

  • silk;
  • cotton;
  • silk-cellulose;
  • cellulose

The composition of liquid wallpaper can only include the presence of the material; in this case, the material is characterized by the greatest durability, because it is resistant to ultraviolet radiation. The formed layer does not fade and retains its original appearance and color for many years. As for silk-cellulose and cellulose wallpapers, they are cheaper than silk, but they are not ready to last for such a long time. Moreover, they are different decorative qualities from silk liquid wallpaper.

If you are interested in the composition of liquid wallpaper, then you should know that the finished material usually consists of fibers, which are treated with glue during the production process. Modifying substances and plasticizers are added to the ingredients. Sometimes the mixture is dyed a specific shade, but you can purchase a neutral white mixture.

Composition of self-prepared liquid wallpaper

Quite often, liquid wallpaper is prepared at home, in which case you will determine its composition yourself. The decorative layer can be based on any paper. Water, PVA glue and dyes of the desired color are added to it. Additives can be:

  • dried seaweed;
  • chopped wood;
  • small sparkles;
  • mica powder;
  • granite chips;
  • pieces of yarn;
  • quartz and other stone.

If the composition of liquid wallpaper requires the presence of paper, then you can use old books and newspapers, printed sheets, household scraps and packaging wrappers. If you decide to color the mixture, you can use several colors at once. When preparing the composition of paper-based liquid wallpaper, you can additionally use Bustilat glue, acrylic plaster or gypsum.

The base must be prepared in stages. IN ready mixture The dye is poured in, after which the composition is left for some time to infuse, only then the selected additives can be added. The paper should be well shredded. It is placed in a container, filled with water and left for up to 4 hours. For 1 kg of paper you will need about 5 liters of water.

As soon as enough time has passed for the paper to soak, it is stirred using an electric drill, onto which you need to put a mixer attachment. You should achieve a homogeneous mass. At the next stage, glue and dye are added to the mixture, after which you can continue kneading. The mixture is placed in a large plastic bag and left for 14 hours. Then the composition can be mixed by hand. Before applying it to the wall, gypsum is added to the liquid wallpaper, and then everything is mixed until smooth.

Composition of wallpaper based on fibrous materials

The composition of liquid wallpaper may include the presence fibrous materials, in this case, you should stock up on components, including cellulose or cotton fiber. As this material, you can use Ecowool insulation or ordinary cotton wool. There should be a lot of material.

If you plan to use regular cotton wool, then it will need to be finely chopped. The operation can be carried out manually, this can be done using scissors or a special structure similar to a mixer. The container can be a bucket into which the material is placed. The container is closed with a lid with a hole for the mixer shaft, otherwise the cotton wool will fly apart when chopping. The lid can be made of thick cardboard. The main material, in addition to cellulose and cotton wool, can be flax fiber, padding polyester, wool or polyester. These materials are easily crushed.

Ingredient composition of thread wallpaper

Quite often, consumers are interested in the question of what composition this finishing material can be manufactured by you. Another option for manufacturing the described finish could be threads from different materials, namely:

  • cotton;
  • wool;
  • synthetics;
  • a mixture of several components.

Quite often, needlewomen have unnecessary yarn in their arsenal. In addition, you can unravel old jackets and sweaters. The threads are finely chopped; this can be done with a sharp ax or scissors. However, you should additionally stock up on a wooden base. The connecting component can be different glues, namely:

  • casein glue;
  • "Bustilat."

Sometimes acrylic-based putty is used. But the latter has a specific smell, in addition, it will have to be additionally diluted with water. The most resistant to deformation and abrasion will be wallpaper made with acrylic putty.

Composition of Silk Plaster wallpaper

Consumers are sometimes interested in the composition of Silk Plaster liquid wallpaper. This material is made from natural cellulose, decorative threads, quartz mica, and flock. Sometimes other harmless fillers are used in the production process. The binder is cellulose-based glue, which is an analogue of CMC.

All components are of natural origin and harmless. If you are interested in the question of what is included in liquid wallpaper from the manufacturer Silk Plaster, then you should know that this mixture is environmentally friendly, which is confirmed by Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision certificates. Use similar decorative composition Can be used for finishing indoor surfaces.

Composition of wallpaper made from fibers and sawdust

Quite often during the production of the described decorative material wood fibers are used. With the help of such a coating it is possible to achieve the formation of a layer that will have sound and thermal insulation properties. The surface does not lose its ability to breathe, does not become moldy and is inexpensive. The components are characterized by environmental friendliness, as well as aesthetics and decorativeness.

Liquid wallpaper made from sawdust with fibers contains antiseptic substances and binding components in the form of glue. Dyes are decorative components. To make the composition you will need sawdust and fibers. For 500 grams of glue, add a kilogram of sawdust. The composition of liquid wallpaper made from sawdust involves the use of the finest wood chips. To do this, the raw materials are sifted through a sieve and poured into a plastic container.

Using liquid wallpaper: surface preparation

Now that you know what the composition of liquid wallpaper is, you can make one of the above mixtures with your own hands. However, the correct ingredient composition does not guarantee one hundred percent success in carrying out the work. It is also important to properly prepare the surface. The base must be uniform and also strong enough. It is important to ensure that the surface has a uniform ability to absorb moisture. It should be minimal.

In order to achieve a successful result, it is important to make the background color white, at least it should match the shade of the wallpaper itself. The walls and ceilings where you plan to apply the mixture should not have differences, potholes or depressions that are more than 3 mm per meter of surface. It is important to rid the area being finished of old materials such as paint, wallpaper and peeling plaster. The technician will have to remove screws, protruding nails, self-tapping screws and other metal and plastic elements.

If there are pipes or fittings on the surface, they are pre-sealed. For this, putty is usually used, laid in a 2-mm layer. There is no need to level the walls and make them perfectly smooth and even. If there are large protrusions and depressions, they can be corrected using liquid wallpaper. But if you do not want to increase the consumption of finishing, then you must first rid the wall of protrusions and depressions that are more than 2 mm per meter of surface. Usually the area is covered with gypsum-based putty. This applies to partitions and plasterboard walls. Covering only the joints between the canvases will not be enough. Once the surface can be leveled, it can be coated with a primer.

Preparation of wallpaper

If you decide to use liquid wallpaper in the renovation process, you can make the composition (what it consists of, you can find out by reading the instructions on the packaging) yourself. However, quite often consumers purchase a factory mixture. It reaches readiness within 6 to 12 hours, so such manipulations must be started in advance.

The wallpaper will contain the following components:

  • dry glue;
  • decorative fillers;
  • silk or cellulose fiber base.

Sometimes the components are packaged separately and then mixed. In the first case, the composition is poured into a container or onto a large piece of polyethylene, and then mixed. The contents fluff up and do not crumple. It is better not to mix decorative additives such as colored granules and powders, as well as glitter, in dry form. They are poured into water and mixed, and then the base is added. This will ensure uniform distribution and prevent lumps of glitter from sticking to individual fibers.

Wallpaper application

Now you know what the composition of liquid wallpaper can be; at home, you can prepare a mixture using one of the above technologies. However, it is also important to become familiar with the application technology. To carry out the work you will need:

  • trowel;
  • spatula;
  • grater;
  • spray gun.

There are also special graters for the material, which differ from ordinary ones in that they have a narrowed blade. Quite often they are made of transparent plastic so that the master has the opportunity to control the smoothing process. Application is quite simple; the technology in this case is similar to applying putty.

The solution is scooped up by hand or with a small spatula. The mixture is applied to the wall in portions and rubbed over the surface. The result should be a 3mm layer. Some types of wallpaper should be applied in a thinner or thicker layer.

Conclusion

Liquid wallpaper is applied small areas, which gradually connect with each other. If the solution is difficult to stick to the wall, then you can add a certain amount of water to it, but not more than a liter per serving.

Until recently, liquid wallpaper was far from the most popular on the building materials market, and was preferred to regular wallpaper. roll wallpaper. Now they have begun to be used more and more often, which is explained by their advantages and original appearance. It is worth mentioning right away that liquid wallpaper can only be called wallpaper with a stretch, since in terms of the method of application they tend more towards plasters.
The composition of liquid wallpaper may include substances such as cellulose fibers, silk, cotton, as well as adhesives, possibly fungicides of natural origin, and, of course, decorative components that set the color of the finished surface, and perhaps its shine, mother-of-pearl and etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of liquid wallpaper

The increasing popularity of liquid wallpaper is due to its advantages over conventional wallpaper. So, The main advantages can be considered:

Based on all these descriptions, it may seem that liquid wallpaper is perfect material, which has no shortcomings, but this is not the case:


Liquid wallpaper application technology

Tools and materials

In order to cope with the application of liquid wallpaper, you will need a small set of tools and materials.

Materials:

Tools:

  • deep containers for preparing liquid wallpaper with a volume of at least 7-8 liters for each package;
  • plexiglass spatula or stainless steel With smooth surface for applying liquid wallpaper;
  • a spatula can be replaced with a trowel or a gun for applying liquid wallpaper;
  • for applying primer;
  • a wide and narrow spatula for wall putty, as well as a mixer for preparing the putty itself;
  • a pencil to apply a design to the wall if you plan to make a whole pattern or picture from liquid wallpaper.

Surface preparation

If the advantages of liquid wallpaper, in your opinion, outweigh the disadvantages, and you decide to decorate your room in this way, then it is worth considering some nuances. So, although such wallpaper can hide some defects, but not all, so the remains old paint protruding from the walls metal elements There is no way to hide liquid wallpaper and other unevenness, so before applying it you will need to properly prepare the surface.

Before applying liquid wallpaper to the wall, check it for compliance with certain conditions. So, it must be durable, i.e. not have any layers that could later fall off, such as old paint or plaster. It should not allow any color to pass through the layer of wallpaper, so metal elements are either eliminated altogether or covered with special compounds so that they do not corrode. The surface should not absorb moisture, so priming it will not hurt.
Before applying liquid wallpaper, the surface must be freed from traces of previous coating: old wallpaper, paint, plaster, so that after a while all this does not fall off along with a fresh layer of finishing. If there are large cracks on the wall, then it is advisable to putty them: this can also be done when applying the liquid wallpaper itself, but then the consumption of not the cheapest material will increase, so it is better to use regular putty. Some experts recommend puttingty not only cracks and, for example, seams between sheets of drywall, but the entire surface.

To add strength to the wall surface, it is better prime: This also prevents moisture from penetrating inside. It is better to use and apply in 2-3 layers, while the popular primer Ceresit CT17 is not very suitable, as over time it can manifest itself in the form of yellow spots on the wallpaper. The primer should be either colorless or white.
If there is on the surface metal elements, such as nails, corners or fittings, they can also form yellowish-rusty stains over time, so it is better to cover them with oil or latex paint to limit contact and reaction of metal with water. After priming, it is better to apply another layer of putty.
It is worth noting that liquid wallpaper works best on a slightly rough surface, so it can be applied immediately to putty or unsanded plaster, but if the base is smooth wood or wood, then it is better to apply a primer with quartz dust. You can make such a primer yourself by adding fine sand, sifted through a flour sieve, to the usual one. As a result, the liquid wallpaper will be applied evenly and will not drag on the spatula, as might be the case if the surface is perfectly smooth.

Preparation of liquid wallpaper

In principle, the process of preparing the composition of liquid wallpaper will be indicated in the instructions for each package of contents, but it is still useful to indicate some nuances in order to accurately calculate the time.

So, you need to start preparing liquid wallpaper in advance, approximately 6-12 hours before application, so you can start at the surface priming stage. So, the composition of liquid wallpaper includes a base made of cellulose or silk, dye and glue - all this can be already mixed, or sold in separate packages. In the second case, you will need to mix everything thoroughly in a large container: you need to mix without clumping, but as if fluffing it up. If all kinds of dyes and glitter are not included in the finished mixture, then it is better to mix them with water first, and then add the base: this will help to evenly distribute both the color and glitter over the entire surface. Those wallpapers that are purchased already mixed can also be fluffed up so that there are no lumps - this is not necessary, but it is partly a guarantee that they will be applied more evenly.
You will find the details of preparing your specific wallpaper in the instructions, for example, amount of water, which needs to be added. It is worth noting only a few points: for example, it is better to pour required quantity water, and only then add the mixture, although the reverse order is also possible. In this case, it is better to prepare the mixture specifically from one package in one container: a combination of several packages, or vice versa, using only part of it is not allowed if you want to get a uniform layer with the same color. Therefore, the mixtures are prepared in different containers, combining them in finished form.
You can simply mix the mixture with water with your hands - there is nothing harmful or caustic in there. Although the instructions for some wallpaper indicate a tool such as using a mixer attachment, in some cases this method can simply break the long fibers, and as a result the appearance will turn out to be a little different from what it was supposed to be.

When the mixture is ready, leave it infuse for 6-12 hours– depending on the manufacturer’s requirements. This is necessary so that the glue completely softens and binds well the remaining components of the mixture. After this, you can mix all the prepared wallpaper in one container: you need to calculate so that this amount is enough either for the whole room, or at least for one wall. Wallpaper from different batches may have slightly different shades, and the transition on one wall may be slightly noticeable, but if it is applied to different walls in the room, then discover different shade will be almost impossible.
Separately deserves attention liquid wallpaper consumption. Typically, manufacturers indicate that one kilogram of mixture is enough for 5-6 m², but in fact, it is better to calculate the consumption of 1 kg of mixture per 3-4 m². The ready-made wallpaper solution can last quite a long time without losing its properties, but you still shouldn’t delay applying it to the walls.

Application of liquid wallpaper

In order to apply prepared liquid wallpaper, you can use one of the following tools: trowel, spatula, spray bottle or grater. Moreover, graters can be used both regular and special for liquid wallpaper. The latter are often made of transparent plastic, making it easy to control the process of applying the material, especially when appliqués are made.

Myself The application process is quite simple: very similar to puttying, only a little easier. You can scoop up a portion of the mixture either with your hands or with a spatula, and apply it to the wall or the tool that is being used. Then the wallpaper is rubbed over the wall in an even layer of 2-3 mm - the thickness may vary depending on the manufacturer. They begin to apply wallpaper in a separate island, and the next portions are added to it. A problem may arise that the solution does not adhere well to the wall or is too thick. In this case, a small amount of water can solve the problem.
It is better to hold the grater with which the wallpaper is applied at an angle of 5-15 degrees, and it is better to choose different directions of movement to achieve a spectacular appearance, incl. slightly curling. When approximately 1 m2 of coating has been applied, you can smooth it out a little with the same float, only dipped in water. temperature not lower than 10ºС and a well-ventilated room.
In order for such wallpaper to dry completely, it usually takes 1-3 days. Then, if desired, they can be varnished for additional protection from negative environmental factors. Liquid wallpaper in the bathtub or kitchen is usually coated with varnish, and only vapor-permeable varnish should be used, although for these rooms it is better to immediately choose moisture-resistant liquid wallpaper.

Caring for liquid wallpaper

When used correctly, liquid wallpaper can serve for at least 10 years. So, in order to keep them clean, just go with a vacuum cleaner. If you varnished the wallpaper, then you can use a slightly damp sponge.
If in some area a visible defect has formed, then the wallpaper can be soaked with water and carefully removed with a spatula, then prime the wall 2-3 times and apply the liquid wallpaper again. Therefore, it is always worth buying the original mixture with a reserve. And if, after applying the base layer, there is unused wallpaper, then there is no need to throw it away - when wet, it can be stored for about two weeks, and during this time, after the base layer has dried, correction may be necessary. Otherwise, the leftovers can be spread out, dried, and then just added water until the mixture is ready to be reapplied.

Every year new ones appear on the market building materials. They are versatile, environmentally friendly, and easy to install. One of these materials is liquid wallpaper. When you hear the word “wallpaper”, canvases with patterns and patterns appear before your eyes. various shades. However, liquid wallpaper has little in common with them, except that it is also a finishing material for interior work.

What is liquid wallpaper

This material is produced in the form of a dry mixture, packaged in plastic bags. The volume of such packaging is usually 1 kg. The composition of liquid wallpaper is very simple:

  • natural fibers (silk, cotton, cellulose);
  • water-based acrylic dye;
  • adhesive component.

In addition to the main composition, the package of liquid wallpaper may include decor in the form of sparkles, stone chips, crushed mica and other things.

The more natural silk fibers are contained in the mixture, the higher its performance characteristics. Except extraordinary beauty, silk gives the coating greater strength and resistance to fading. But at the same time, silk threads in the coating double its cost.

Cotton and cellulose are cheaper - such fibers are more often used in the production of liquid wallpaper, and silk acts as a small additive.

Acrylic-based water-dispersion paint provides color to the coating. The shades of the material are very diverse. You can get the desired color by adding color to the mixture.

The adhesive additive is the connecting link, connecting all components into one. It is the glue that gives the mixture plasticity, making it easy to apply to the walls.

The wallpaper is applied to the walls in an even layer, without joints or seams. Their texture allows you to hide minor surface imperfections, acting as finishing putty. The result is a homogeneous surface with a rough texture, decorated with inclusions of a different shade and small particles of various materials.

Externally, liquid wallpaper looks more like decorative plaster than the hard coating of the same name. But compared to plaster, this material has a number of advantages.

Coating characteristics

All larger number consumers choose liquid wallpaper to decorate their homes. Firstly, this is an unusual coating with an interesting texture. And, secondly, the material has a number of positive qualities:

  1. Easy to apply - you can even decorate walls with wallpaper yourself.
  2. Possibility of repair - damaged or contaminated areas are cleaned and replaced with a new mixture.
  3. Durability - wallpaper lasts up to 10 years.
  4. Antistatic - the coating does not contain synthetic additives, so it does not attract dust and dirt.
  5. The heat and sound insulation qualities of the material are higher than those of regular wallpaper and plaster.
  6. Vapor permeability ensures a normal indoor microclimate.
  7. Moisture capacity - walls with such a coating are able to absorb excess moisture and give it away when necessary.
  8. The natural composition is not harmful to health and the environment.
  9. Fire safety - wallpaper is prone to self-extinguishing, it does not spread flame.
  10. Warmth and softness of finish.
  11. Seamless - a homogeneous layer of the mixture easily decorates corners, arches, niches, baseboards and other elements.
  12. Possibility of coloring as liquid mixture, and the dried coating.
  13. Easy to maintain - walls can be vacuumed or wiped with a slightly damp sponge.
  14. Antibacterial additives prevent the development of mold on the surface.
  15. Simple dismantling - when the wallpaper needs to be removed, it is simply moistened with water and cleaned off with a spatula.

Each characteristic speaks in favor of the material. The only drawback of liquid wallpaper is its cost. However, in terms of square meters, the mixture is not so expensive. And if you apply it yourself, you can also save money.

Preparing the mixture

Before preparing the bag with the dry composition, you need to thoroughly shake and knead the formed lumps. In a container with warm clean water pour out the contents of the package and mix thoroughly. Decorative elements (if any) are poured there. You can only mix with your hands - a drill or mixer will damage the fibers of the wallpaper and ruin the structure of the material. Use your fingers to knead all the lumps, trying not to tear the fibers.

Advice! You do not need to wear gloves, since the material does not contain toxic additives - all components are natural. The only danger is getting your hands dirty with colored pigments.

The mixture is left for 10-12 hours to swell. After this time, the mass is mixed again. If the composition is too thick, you can add 0.5-1 liters of water - this will make it easier to lay the material on the walls.

Preparing the walls

Any description finishing process includes preparation of the base. In the case of liquid wallpaper, this stage will not require much effort. The material is elastic, so it can close small cracks and irregularities. The method of laying it does not require leveling the walls and corners - the mixture easily lies on any surface.

The only thing that really matters is the color of the base. Liquid wallpaper is applied in a small layer (2-4 mm); the presence of decorative elements in it leads to the appearance of gaps in the coating. Therefore, the backing should match the color of the wallpaper (or be contrasting, if this is provided by the master’s idea). In any case, the surface should be uniform.

So, preparing the base is as follows:

  • dismantling the old coating;
  • removal of large chips and cracks;
  • priming walls for better adhesion liquid wallpaper and less consumption;
  • painting the walls and ceiling with two layers of water-based paint.

After the base has dried, you can begin finishing.

Applying wallpaper yourself

Decorating walls with liquid wallpaper is much easier than decorating them with decorative plaster. Although these processes are largely similar. Lightness is in the texture liquid finishing- the mass is quite plastic and heterogeneous.

To start work, select one of the corners. Place a little mixture on a wide plastic spatula and press it against the wall. The material is leveled using reciprocating movements; circular movements cannot be used so as not to damage the structure.

Advice! There is no need to use metal spatulas and graters - they can easily damage the fibers and damage the structure of the wallpaper.

The next section should overlap the border of the previous one - there should be no seams on the coating. Therefore, it is important not to interrupt work - you need to finish at least one of the walls at a time.

The thickness of the layer over the entire area should be the same. After application square meter Wallpaper is leveled with a grater. The finish can be adjusted within 1-2 hours after installation; to do this, the grater is moistened with water.

Wallpaper is applied to the ceiling as easily as it is to the walls. In this case, the mixture can be made a little thicker.

In some cases, the material is applied with a roller or spray - this is acceptable when the consistency of the wallpaper is less than usual. In addition, they use stencils and create drawings and even paintings from multi-colored wallpaper. Such techniques allow you to obtain an unusual coating, slightly different from standard liquid wallpaper.

The wallpaper takes about 2-3 days to dry. It all depends on the air temperature and humidity level. Optimal temperature The range is considered to be from 10 to 25 degrees.

DIY liquid wallpaper

The high cost of the material forced home craftsmen to think about how to reproduce the texture of the liquid coating with their own hands. And a solution was found - you will have to spend very little money and effort to get high-quality finishing material:

  1. To prepare the mixture you will need plain paper. Covered notebooks, drafts, printouts, magazines and newspapers are suitable. All waste paper must be thoroughly shredded - torn by hand or cut with scissors.
  2. The paper is placed in a container and filled with water at the rate of 5 liters of water per 1 kg of paper. Leave the mixture overnight.
  3. The swollen paper is ground with a mixer or a drill with an attachment. It is important not to overdo it here - the material should have texture, too small fragments are not needed.
  4. The color of the desired shade and PVA glue are added to the composition. The amount of glue should be such that the mixture becomes plastic. After mixing, the composition is placed in polyethylene and left for another couple of hours.
  5. Decorative elements are added to future wallpaper - marble chips, beads, rhinestones, sand, etc. All this should enrich the texture of the finish and make it more interesting.
  6. Plaster is poured. The amount of this element is individual - you need to monitor the thickness of the mixture and the speed of its hardening.

Apply the mixture prepared by yourself in the same way as purchased liquid wallpaper - with a plastic spatula.

Important! To have time to apply wallpaper on the wall, gypsum needs to be added to a small amount of the mixture.

To ensure uniformity of color and density, all ingredients must be added in a measuring container - then transitions between sections of the coating will not be visible on the walls.

Liquid wallpaper is a modern and high-quality finishing material. It has a lot of positive characteristics, and every owner can apply it with his own hands.

Several years ago on the market finishing materials liquid wallpaper appeared. Gradually they are becoming more and more popular, as they can be used for 5-8 years without losing their appearance, even in the hallway or corridor. Among the advantages of this coating are safety, high maintainability, and plasticity, which allows you to easily finish arches, columns, and other surfaces with complex shapes.

What is it

Liquid wallpaper is sometimes confused with decorative plaster. Probably because the application technique is very similar. - using a spatula. Fundamental difference The problem is that the composition of the applied mass is completely different. Any plaster contains sand, and cement and lime are used as a binder. The composition of liquid wallpaper includes silk, cotton, and cellulose fibers. Some kind of glue is used as a binder.

Acrylic dyes are usually used to color the composition, and glitter is added to obtain a different surface appearance. different sizes, pieces of mica, mother-of-pearl, threads, other natural or artificial materials. These decorative additives are called “glitters”.

What they look like on the wall

If we talk about appearance, liquid wallpaper is something between plaster and paper wallpaper. From the store you bring the dry composition to which you add a certain amount of water according to the instructions. The resulting semi-liquid mass is applied to the walls or ceiling. The coating is seamless due to the plasticity of the material; when applied, minor surface defects are corrected - notches, cracks, etc. Due to the same plasticity, it is not too difficult to form a drawing, even a picture.

Liquid wallpaper can be used to apply even complex patterns to walls... or paintings

So liquid wallpaper looks different on the wall. Another difference is the different composition. If it is silk-based liquid wallpaper, the surface has a characteristic matte sheen. This composition is also called “liquid silk”. The cellulose and cotton variation is matte; even in the same shade and with the same decorative additives, the wall looks different.

And there are also mixed compositions - cellulose-silk or cotton-silk, in which there is a certain degree of shine, but not so pronounced. In general, it’s hard to say what liquid wallpaper looks like on a wall. If you like decorative plaster, you should also like this finishing option.

Species

Liquid wallpaper is distinguished by its composition. As already mentioned, they are made on the basis natural fibers. According to the type of fibers they are:

They differ not only in composition, but also in appearance. It is difficult to convey this in pictures - the difference is in the presence and type of gloss, its brightness, visual “looseness” or smoothness of the surface. Of all the options, silk formulations are the most expensive. More budget ones are cotton and cellulose.

Advantages and disadvantages

If we talk about general impression, some people like liquid wallpaper, others don’t. But their properties are not bad. The advantages include the following qualities:


Not bad qualities. What is most impressive is the high maintainability. This is good if you have pets: scratches are simply rubbed out. If you also like the appearance of this coating, you should try it.

Liquid wallpaper also has disadvantages:


As you can see, there are some pretty serious drawbacks. The most unpleasant thing is the impossibility of wet cleaning. This is not always acceptable in the hallway or kitchen. This drawback can be mitigated by covering the wall with varnish. It can be washed, but cannot be restored. In addition, the varnished coating loses vapor permeability, but becomes water-repellent.

Application technique

Although manufacturers say that liquid wallpaper can be applied to curved walls, it is better not to do this. There are two points. The first is increased material consumption. Considering that the cost of liquid wallpaper is not too low (one package per 4-5 m² is required, and it costs from 5 to 18 $, although there are some for 40 $), it is cheaper to prepare the surface. The second point is that if there are significant differences, pronounced “spotting” may result. The darker areas will be where the liquid wallpaper is applied in a thick layer, and the lighter areas where the layer is thin (due to the wall being translucent). This again leads to an increase in consumption - to even out the color.

Surface preparation

First of all, you need to remove the old one decorative coating. We peel off the wallpaper to the bare wall, and remove the paint if it bubbles and peels off. Then we smooth out the unevenness. As already said, better wall make it at least more or less even.

A flat (or relatively flat) wall must be coated with primer several times. This will reduce the absorbency of the surface, making it easier to work.

Based on experience, liquid wallpaper is best applied to rough walls, for example, plaster. So, it is desirable that the primer gives a similar effect. Of the ready-made compositions, this is “Betonokontakt”. After applying it, the wall becomes a little “sticky” in feel; grains of sand stuck to the surface make it rough. Any composition fits perfectly on such a base. There are more cheap option wall primers for liquid wallpaper - the most inexpensive white water-based emulsion (2 parts) with PVA glue (1 part). It is necessary to cover with primer (any kind) at least twice.

If the wall has an uneven color, and the primer did not hide it, you will also have to paint it. Because when applying a thin layer, darker and lighter areas will show through. You can take the cheapest one water-based paint and paint the wall with it. A perfectly even color is not needed; there should be no sharp transitions.

One more thing. If there are metal fragments in the wall - nails, screws, etc., it is advisable to remove them. If you can't remove it, paint the area with some kind of water-repellent paint in the same color as the base. If this is not done while the liquid wallpaper dries, the metal will rust and the rust will “come out” unsightly. yellow spot. It will have to be repaired immediately. So everything is better metal objects isolate in advance.

Preparation of the composition

Liquid wallpaper is sold dry in bags. Before use, add water to the composition and mix everything well. The amount of water depends on the volume of the bag, the type of composition, and the manufacturer. The specific quantity is written on the package.

It is more convenient for this work to have a large plastic bucket - 12 liters or more. Pour the contents of the bag into it and add water. The mixture must be stirred until smooth. It turns out something similar to minced meat.

Since liquid wallpaper does not contain harmful chemical additives, you can mix it with your hands. If the mass is unpleasant to you, you can wear gloves. The finished mass is usually transferred back into the bag, screwed on the “neck” and left for several hours (at least 4-5 hours, but better 10-12) - for uniform swelling. Please note that the dried composition will be noticeably lighter than the wet one.

It is better to mix at once the entire amount needed to finish a room or at least one wall. If you put it in “pieces,” the borders may be visible. They are almost invisible in light shades, but can ruin the picture if the color is bright. If the boundaries are still visible until the wall is completely dry, you should not take any action. It is possible that the borders will disappear when completely dry. If the liquid wallpaper has dried, but transitions are visible, the composition can be removed with a spatula, soaked again for several hours, mixed and applied again.

Application to wall or ceiling

Take a new trowel for the job. To make it easier to monitor the process, there is a trowel with a transparent plastic work surface. This trowel makes it easier for beginners to work with. The process itself is simple:


It is advisable to process the entire wall at once, otherwise the junction lines of the two “pieces” may be visible. If you still weren’t able to treat the entire wall at once, spray the joint well with water, wait 20-25 minutes, and you can continue finishing. Most likely, the joint will be subtle or almost invisible.

In the corners you can use a regular spatula, but it’s easier to do straight corners using special corners. First, apply the mixture on both sides of the corner, apply it with a corner spatula, and rub the excess squeezed out from the corner onto the wall, leveling the surface.

Liquid wallpaper takes a long time to dry - about 48 hours. The composition contains a significant amount of water, so when drying indoors high humidity, which inevitably ends up in other rooms. But in the process you can turn on the heating, open the windows, and create a draft. There are no restrictions.

Application by roller

Applying liquid wallpaper using a trowel or spatula is good for everyone, except that the process takes a lot of time. To speed up the process, you can try applying liquid wallpaper with a roller. Only the roller must be special: with hard short hairs collected in groups. The width is about 15 cm. If you can’t find one, you can use fur with hard short pile or foam rubber, but hard.

Before starting work, dilute liquid wallpaper according to the instructions and prepare the wall. Then try working with the resulting composition. If the mass is poorly distributed on the wall, add a little water. But add a little at a time, because too liquid will “slip.” The technique is slightly different:

  • Apply a certain amount of the mixture to the wall with a spatula, without worrying too much about the thickness of the layer. Just make a “blunder”.
  • Roll out using a roller.
  • Apply the next batch of solution and roll out.

Using a roller makes it easier to maintain the same thickness of the material. This works well for smooth walls. Moreover, the finishing speed is 6-8 m².

Different application techniques give different effects

When applying liquid wallpaper with a roller, the surface becomes rougher and more textured. If you don’t like this effect, after the wall is finished, moisten it with a spray bottle, wait about 15 minutes, go over the surface with a clean trowel soaked in water, smoothing out the relief.

How to make patterns with liquid wallpaper

Beginners are unlikely to be able to make complex patterns on walls with liquid wallpaper, but it’s quite possible to try something simple. The easiest way to make two-color patterns, and simpler ones are geometric ones.

Any image can be found. But then you need to transfer the outline of the drawing to the wall. If you have artistic abilities, you can try to do it by hand. If that doesn’t work, you can enlarge it to the required size, print it on paper, but preferably on cardboard, cut it out and attach it to the wall. Fill around with one color of wallpaper. When the liquid wallpaper has dried, remove the paper/cardboard, using the second one to fill the empty area. But you need to work carefully, without dirtying the finished part.

If the design is simple - geometric shapes, for example, you can install some kind of rigid barrier to separate the colors. For example, beacons for plaster. They are fixed and filled with liquid wallpaper of the same color. After drying, you can remove the beacons and carefully, without crawling onto the finished part, use the second color.

There is also a way to transfer complex drawings without printing. You will need glass, a black marker, and a lamp. Draw an outline on the glass with a black felt-tip pen and highlight it with a lamp. A clear outline appears on the wall, which we simply draw. We fill it in the way that is most convenient, but usually first large areas, then smaller ones.