Hanging Vinyls, Flocks, Mylars, and Metallics November 30 2015

For vintage vinyls, flocks, mylars, or metallics, follow our regular instructions for hanging vintage wallpaper but keep these tips in mind:

- Apply a vinyl paste (not wheat paste)

Use a vinyl paste instead of a wheat paste and apply it directly to your clean walls using a paint roller. (Even though many retro vintage wallpapers were pre-pasted during their manufacturing, we do not recommend relying on that paste today, being that it's 40 years old.)

- Use the butting method

Most 1970s retro papers do not have selvage edges (or if they do, the paper is likely too thick to make a pleasant lapping joint). Butting is the suggested method for hanging vinyls, flocks, metallics, and mylars. If there is a selvage edge, trim off both sides. Otherwise, proceed to hanging each strip flush with the one beside it, being careful to match the pattern.

- Do not stretch the wallpaper

Do not pull and stretch the paper; it will return back to it's normal shape when dried. Make sure it joins together neatly without pulling.

- Use a paint roller to smooth FLOCK

For FLOCKS, smooth and press the seams with a soft, clean paint roller. Do not use a traditional hard seam roller as it will polish the flock. You may also used a pasting brush to gently tamp down the edges by tapping the bristles on the seam.

- Keep front of paper clean

Always wipe away any excess paste from the front of the wallpaper using a damp sponge.

- Brush the flocking in the same direction

After washing a FLOCK pattern, brush the flocking in an upward motion to lay the nap in the same direction as it dries. A flock wallpaper will release some loose fibers, but that's normal. When it's dried, you can clean flock with the brush attachment on your vacuum.

- Do not crease

Never make sharp creases in your paper while in the process of hanging, especially with Mylars or Foils, as they will be almost impossible to remove.