Ceiling decoration with liquid wallpaper can be carried out in almost any room. This is a great opportunity to create original and durable surface decorations. Our recommendations will help you understand the technological features of the process. One of the most original types of wallpaper is undoubtedly liquid. They are much easier to apply to the ceiling, compared to roll-to-roll. In addition, liquid wallpaper can be used to create a pattern on the surface. At the same time, everyone can master the application technique.
Advantages and disadvantages of liquid wallpaper
This finishing material is gaining more and more popularity because of its advantages, in particular:
- Environmental friendliness … "Breathable" liquid wallpaper consists of natural ingredients, and therefore does not emit harmful chemicals.
- Ease of application … They are relatively easy to work with. No need to smooth or hold. At the same time, dirt and dust will not be released in the process.
- Variety of colors and textures … You can finish the ceiling in different styles.
- Relative cheapness … Liquid wallpaper for the ceiling will cost much less than high-quality vinyl or fabric panels.
- Defect masking … The mixture can be applied even to slightly uneven surfaces. The texture of the wallpaper will hide them.
- Good insulating performance … Liquid wallpaper has a fibrous structure, and therefore provides high-quality heat, steam and sound insulation.
- Antistatic properties … They do not accumulate dust.
- Ease of use … To clean the surface while cleaning, you can simply vacuum it.
- Durability … Liquid wallpaper can last more than ten years. At the same time, they do not fade, withstand temperature changes, do not crack, do not crumble, do not become covered with mold and fungus. And after coating with acrylic varnish they also become moisture resistant.
- Ease of repair … If the wallpaper is damaged, you can easily replace the area, which is not the case with roll wallpaper. Moisten the damaged area and remove the old layer. It remains only to cover the area with liquid wallpaper again.
In addition to all these advantages, the material is completely fireproof.
The disadvantages of liquid wallpaper include the following characteristics:
- Low moisture resistance … If they get dirty, then washing them with a damp cloth will not work - you will have to cut out a piece. For the same reason, do not use liquid wallpaper indoors, where a direct stream of water can hit them.
- Long-term drying … It will take at least 48 hours for the liquid wallpaper to dry completely.
Preparing the ceiling for liquid wallpaper
Before applying liquid wallpaper to the ceiling, you need to prepare it.
First, we get rid of the old finishing layer:
- If the ceiling has been whitewashed with chalk or lime, then wash it off with a special solution.
- If roll wallpaper was glued, then remove it with a sharp spatula, after wetting it with warm water.
- It will be more difficult to dismantle ceramic tiles. However, this must be done - we remove the tiles mechanically.
- We use a special remover to remove the paint.
- We remove various stains, be it grease, soot, rust, mildew and mold, with primers and other compounds.
Next, we prime and level the ceiling. We putty all chips, cracks and potholes. If this is not done, then liquid wallpaper will have to be applied in two layers. This is a cost overrun and expensive.
You also need to apply a primer to the putty layer, after which you can start finishing. Note that the use of ST-17 is not recommended. This can cause yellowness to appear.
The choice of liquid wallpaper for application to the ceiling
There are several types of liquid wallpaper:
- Silk … UV resistant. Do not fade. They are relatively expensive. Such wallpaper is most often used to decorate the ceiling in bedrooms and living rooms.
- Pulp and silk … They do not fade, retain their aesthetic appearance for a long time. Suitable for bedrooms and children.
- Cellulose … Less durable. Burn out relatively quickly. Due to its decorative features, it is most often used in bathrooms and corridors. They are distinguished by their low cost.
Having decided on the type of material with which you will carry out the finishing of the ceiling, you need to decide in what form to take the mixture. Liquid wallpaper is made in the form:
- Ready mix … It is sold in plastic containers and is ready to use. It is more expensive than other varieties.
- Dry powder … It already includes texturing additives and dyes, and therefore is simply diluted with water in the proportions indicated in the instructions.
- Raw materials without additives … It is a dry powder without pigment and texturing additives. All fillings must be purchased separately. This is the cheapest variety.
The calculation of the material is carried out according to the principle: 1 kilogram - for 5 square meters.
In addition to the wallpaper itself, we need a spatula, rollers and brushes.
Features of the preparation of liquid wallpaper for the ceiling
In order for the wallpaper to have the correct consistency and adhere well to the coating, you need to know the tricks of their preparation.
Liquid wallpaper from powder for the ceiling
After the preparation of the ceiling for liquid wallpaper is completed, you can start preparing the mixture. If you have purchased a ready-made composition, then it can be applied immediately.
If you have wallpaper in the form of powder, then you need to prepare them as follows:
- Add pigment to the water at a temperature of +25 degrees and stir.
- Fill in the powder and mix with your hands until a mixture of the consistency of thick sour cream is obtained. We remove large particles.
- Leave to swell for the time specified in the manufacturer's instructions.
It is important to observe all proportions and stir again before application.
Liquid wallpaper for ceilings made of cellulose fibers
You can prepare cellulose-silk liquid wallpaper yourself, for this you will need:
- Cellulose fibers (ordinary cotton wool);
- Silk threads (available at sewing stores)
- Textile fibers (also sold in sewing shops);
- CMC glue (cellulose bustilate);
- Acrylic;
- Sequins (chips, mother-of-pearl, quartz and marble dust of fine fractions);
- Mineral pigment;
- Antifungal component (preferably water glass).
It is very simple to prepare the composition, just follow this procedure:
- We grind all components (silk threads, cellulose and textile fibers).
- We mix them together and add the diluted CMC glue with an antifungal solution. The mixture must be brought to the consistency of thick sour cream.
- We add color, glitter and acrylic to the composition.
- After mixing, apply to the test surface and wait for solidification. If the result is satisfactory, then you can start finishing.
Applying liquid wallpaper to the ceiling in this case is no different from the method of finishing with industrial compositions.
Methods for applying liquid wallpaper to the ceiling
Although there is nothing complicated in finishing the ceiling with liquid wallpaper, you should still know some of the nuances. Considering the peculiarities of applying in different ways, you will greatly simplify your task.
Applying liquid wallpaper to the ceiling by hand
In some ways, this process is similar to finishing with decorative plaster. You can cover the ceiling with liquid wallpaper with your own hands using a trowel and a plastic or metal float.
In the process, we adhere to the following instructions:
- Apply the mixture to the ceiling and spread a layer 2-5 mm thick over the surface.
- Using a smooth float, smooth the finish and apply a second batch.
- We direct the arrangement of the fibers with rotational movements, creating the desired effect.
- Five to seven hours after application, apply the desired texture to the coating using a roller. For the convenience of work, it is recommended to periodically moisten the tool in water.
After application, it is required to wait 48 to 72 hours for the adhesive to cure.
Application of liquid wallpaper to the ceiling with a spray gun
This method is more suitable for finishing the ceiling in large rooms. To implement it, you will need a spray gun with a working pressure of 0.5 MPa and a capacity of 350 l / min. Depending on the intended texture, the diameter should be from 0.5 to 1 cm.
To cover the ceiling with liquid wallpaper, apply a layer of 1.5 mm over the entire surface with a spray gun, wait for drying and apply a finishing layer of the required density. In this way, you can finish the ceiling even in the bathroom. The main thing is to apply several layers of acrylic varnish after drying.
Creating a panel on the ceiling with liquid wallpaper
Decorating the ceiling with various patterns is another advantage of liquid wallpaper. This stylistic solution will look great in the bedroom and living room.
You can even make a drawing on the ceiling with liquid wallpaper with your own hand as follows:
- Draw a pattern on the prepared ceiling with a pencil. For convenience, you can first apply it to cardboard, cut out a template and transfer it to the ceiling.
- We apply liquid wallpaper inside the picture. The layer should be about two millimeters thick.
- When applying, we go beyond the contour by 1, 5-2 mm.
- Move the material with a small spatula inward to create a border.
- After the wallpaper in the drawing is completely dry, apply the base coat to the rest of the ceiling, not reaching the pattern of 2-3 mm.
- With a small spatula, move the layer to the picture for a clear outline of the outline. This will prevent mixing of colors.
In the same way, you can create a drawing with several colors, be sure to wait for the previous layer to dry. For these purposes, it is best to use a silk-based wallpaper.
How to apply liquid wallpaper to the ceiling - watch the video:
The popularity of this method of finishing the ceiling is constantly growing. It is practical, fashionable and comfortable. In addition, it is much easier to cover the ceiling with liquid wallpaper than to glue conventional roll cloths. The coating will retain its attractive appearance and decorate the room for many years. And the drawing on the ceiling made with his own hand will perfectly fit into the interior.