The Best Adhesive for Prepasted Wallpaper

Activators

• Activators are the most common adhesives used with prepasted wallpapers. These adhesives come ready to use and are appropriate for hanging all types of prepasted coverings. They provide for neat application, eliminating the need for messy water application. Activators also increase bonding strength and aren't temperature sensitive. They also allow for more time to hang (called open time) when making adjustments. Most activators are based on natural ingredients such as corn starch and wheat.

Premixed Vinyl Clear

• Premixed vinyl clear adhesives work well with a wide range of wallpapers. These multipurpose adhesives are great for most types of prepasted wallpaper -- ranging from light weight to heavy -- especially those with nonwoven backing. Be careful if you are using delicate paper-backed coverings because this type of added adhesive might seep through. Many Clears are strippable and can be used on bare drywall. Clears have more open time compared with clay adhesives because of their higher water content.

Premixed Vinyl Clay

• Premixed vinyl clay adhesives are used for wallpapers that require superior tack, or stickiness. As the name implies, these adhesives are primarily clay based. They are great for commercial vinyl, heavily inked hand prints and foils. Many incorporate a mildew killing additive. These adhesives range in color from gray to tan and have short open times because they tend to dry quickly. Clay types are stickier than clear types but might cause staining.

Vinyl Over Vinyl

• Vinyl over vinyl adhesives can be problem solvers. These tenacious adhesives are extremely tacky and are often used in special problem installations that demand an especially tenacious paste. Let’s say you have to cover an existing vinyl wall covering. In this case, the vinyl over vinyl adhesive will bond the new vinyl to the old. The co-polymer or acrylic additives enable them to stick to just about anything. Vinyl over vinyl adhesives are not strippable, however.