wallpapering behind a fixed radiator is it possible ? How to wallpaper behind a radiator nice and neat this video shows how to prepare the walls and hang wallpaper behind a "fixed to the wall" central heating radiator, a simple sequence shows how to hang super fresco blown vinyl wallpaper without removing the radiator from its brackets or requiring a plumber to drain and remove the radiator.
Tools you will need
A wallpaper brush or squeegee some good quality wallpaper shears or a paper trimming blade and straight edge tool
long handled radiator paint roller with a removable sleeve
A sharp pencil to mark the wall paper for trimming and some coins to use as weights to help post the wet paper behind the rad
PREPERATION first turn off the heat supply to the radiator.
remove any old wall coverings to get back to bare plaster.
Fill any imperfections with a filler, then sand the walls to a smooth finish, remove all dust present with a microfibre cloth.
apply a coat of wallpaper paste to the walls paying particular attention to the wall behind the radiator use the rad roller to apply the paste in the narrow space.
Apply a good generous layer of adhesive paste to the wall covering and allow to soak as per instructions supplied with the rolls
fold the paper and post behind the rad in the narrow space between the wall and back, when you encounter a bracket and you will as most radiators have at least two mounting brackets, tap the bracket using the rad roller if you cannot reach the bracket with your pencil! then tap a mark using the rad roller with the sleeve removed, pull out the paper and mark a straight line where the bracket will be in the way then cut with the shears , weight the bottom of the paper with coins by inserting them in a small fold (they should easily stick to the back of the paper), line up the paper by holding with both hands and let the paper drop down ensuring the split you have cut falls either side of the bracket and when the paper has reached the end of your cut you can smooth the paper surface to remove any bubbles or creases the rad roller is perfect for this. when youre happy withe the position remove the coin weights and pull or slide the wet paper into position below the rad taking care to make sure the joints close up before finally smoothing out the wallcovering , you then mark for trimming or cutting with a pencil and remove any excess paper for a neat finish, clean all excess paste adhesive from the radiator surface and wall paper using a sponge or microfibre cleaning cloth. when the wall paper is dry i apply two coats of matt emulsion paint to the walls.