Wallpapering / lining and adhesives

Lining papers, pastes and primers

The products we use when the wallpaper maker is silent, the paste ladder behind our one-step-stronger rule, and what each maker asks for. Product coverage is quoted from the maker’s data sheet or page with the date checked. Strength steps are our house scale, not a rating shared by manufacturers.

No maker pays to appear here, and there are no affiliate links.

Primers

Gardz on almost every wall; a stain block or an alkali-resisting primer first when the wall calls for one. A primer the wallpaper maker names replaces them.

ProductUsed forCoverage, as printedSizesSource
Zinsser GardzClear, water-based, acrylic resin sealerPre-wallcovering primer for plaster, plasterboard and skim coat; seals residual wallpaper paste and binds down chalky surfaces.Approximately 9 - 11m2/ litre upon porosity of the surface and method of application. Textured or skim coated surfaces will be very absorbent and may require a second coat.The product page prints "5 - 10m² per Litre". The calculator uses the data sheet.500ml, 1L, 2.5L, 5LData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Zinsser B-I-NStain-blocking primer-sealerWater, smoke and nicotine stains, once the cause has been dealt with. Used under wallpaper as Mr Wallcover's practice: its data sheet does not mention wallcoverings as a topcoat.Approx. 12.5m2 / litre smooth, painted, non- porous surfaces.500ml (White only), 1L, 2.5L, 5L (White only), 10L (White only)Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Dulux Trade Alkali Resisting PrimerAlkali-resisting primerNew cement render and blockwork. Its data sheet: "Interior and exterior masonry surfaces that may contain alkalis." It does not mention wallcoverings; using it under wallpaper is Mr Wallcover's practice.practical coverage which can be achieved under normal conditions is up to 9m² per litre.Pack Size 5L.Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026

Lining paper

Erfurt lining paper, the grade chosen for the wall, unless the wallpaper maker names a grade. The heavier the grade, the more it covers; it never holds a failing surface or straightens a wall. Every roll on a job is the same grade, so the same thickness and the same white.

GradeFor, in Erfurt's wordsRolls, as printedSoakSource
800Protects and prepares new plaster for paint or wallpaper.10 m x 56 cm, coverage 5.6 m² approx20 m x 56 cm, coverage 11.2 m² approx40 m x 56 cm, coverage 22.4 m² approx6-8 minutesMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
1000Protects and prepares older plaster in good condition for paint or wallpaper. Will cover and smooth over small defects.10 m x 53 cm, coverage 5.3 m² approx20 m x 53 cm, coverage 10.6 m² approx40 m x 53 cm, coverage 21.2 m² approx8-10 minutesMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
1200Protects and prepares older plaster in sound condition for paint or wallpaper. Will cover and smooth out minor cracks and other defects.10 m x 53 cm, coverage 5.3 m² approx20 m x 53 cm, coverage 10.6 m² approx40 m x 53 cm, coverage 21.2 m² approx10 minutesMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
1400Protects and prepares older plaster in sound condition for paint or wallpaper. Will cover and smooth out larger cracks and other defects.10 m x 53 cm, coverage 5.3 m² approx20 m x 53 cm, coverage 10.6 m² approx40 m x 53 cm, coverage 21.2 m² approx10 minutesMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
1700Protects and prepares older and/or damaged plaster for paint or wallpaper. Will cover and smooth out areas of damaged and crumbling plaster as well as larger cracks or holes.10 m x 53 cm, coverage 5.3 m² approx20 m x 53 cm, coverage 10.6 m² approx10-12minutesMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
2000Protects and prepares older and/or damaged plaster for paint or wallpaper. An extra thick traditional lining paper that will help to smooth out severely damaged and crumbling surfaces as well as disguising cracked, holed and blistered plasterwork.10 m x 53 cm, coverage 5.3 m² approx20 m x 53 cm, coverage 10.6 m² approx10-12 minutesMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
2500Protects and prepares older and/or damaged plaster for paint or wallpaper. An extra thick traditional lining paper that will help to smooth out severely damaged and crumbling surfaces as well as disguising cracked, holed and blistered plasterwork.10 m x 53 cm, coverage 5.3 m² approx20 m x 53 cm, coverage 10.6 m² approx10 - 12 minsMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026

Our paste scale and lining practice

Mr Wallcover uses the four steps below to describe our own paste choices. Where the product’s instructions permit it, our house practice is to choose a lining paste at least one step above the wallpaper paste. These steps do not establish compatibility between different brands or substrates. If either paste’s position is unknown, or there is no higher step, we check the complete combination before ordering. The wallpaper and adhesive makers’ current instructions take precedence.

  1. LightStep 1
  2. MediumStep 2
  3. HeavyStep 3
  4. Extra-heavyor special heavyweightStep 4
Our lining paste
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Wallrock Power AdhesiveUnder our lining paperExtra-heavyThe page's words: high performance, extra strength, with added PVA.A coverage rate of 1Kg per 5m2 (2.2lb per 53ft2) is suitable for most products.5KG and 10KG, on the tub labels in the maker's product photograph and the Wallrock brochure, and in retailers' listings; the page text names no pack sizeMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
Ciret Ltd (Beeline)
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Beeline Vinyl / Light Grade Ready Mixed Adhesive (yellow lid)"Formulated for all weights of vinyl wallcoverings."Light"Vinyl / Light Grade"4.5 kg label: "9 ROLLS"9kg, 4.5kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Beeline Powder Wallpaper Adhesive (all purpose)"Suitable for all standard retail wallpapers including heavyweight, washable, vinyl, and blown vinyl."MediumNo grade printed. "Super strong bond and excellent slip to assist pattern matching""20 rolls / 36 pint (+ 50%)" and "5 rolls /6 pints"20-roll and 5-roll packsData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Beeline Ready To Use Adhesive (white lid)"suitable for hanging all wallpapers". The label adds: "This adhesive is not recommended for use with textile wallpapers."MediumNo grade printed. "Contains additional PVA for a strong bond.""Approximately 5 square metres per kg."2.5kg, 5kg, 10kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Beeline Prepared Tub Paste (green lid)"Hand printed wallpapers, fine textiles and flock wallpapers"MediumNo grade printed. Label: "SPECIALITY WALLCOVERINGS"10 kg label: "50 METRES²"10kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Beeline Medium Grade Ready Mixed Adhesive (red lid)"Formulated for hanging a wide range of Wallcoverings including textiles, glass fibre, hessian, paper and fabric-backed contract vinyl Wallcoverings"Medium"Medium Grade". "Contains fire retardant for critical surface spread of flame applications""Approximately 5 square metres per kg."2.5kg, 5kg, 10kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Beeline Heavy Grade Ready Mixed Adhesive (blue lid)"perfect for speciality wallcoverings"Heavy"Heavy Grade". "excellent strong final bond. Contains fire retardant for critical surface spread of flame applications.""Approximately 5 square meters per kg."5Kg Bucket, 10Kg BucketData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Brewers (Albany)
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Albany Super Smooth Wallcovering Adhesive (yellow lid)"all wallpapers including vinyls, embossed papers and blown vinyls". de Gournay names it as the UK alternative to its Yellow Lidded Paste (type I).LightData sheet heading: "Light C". "contains additional PVA for a strong bond and excellent slip properties""Approximately 6-8 m²/kg."2.5KG, 5KG, 10KGData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Albany Speciality Wallcovering Adhesive"fabric backed vinyls and textured wallcoverings including; glass fabric, Wallrock, hessians, grasscloth, suedes, flocks, textiles, polystyrene veneers and polystyrene coving"MediumData sheet heading: "READY MIXED WALLCOVERING ADHESIVE MEDIUM GRADE""Approximately 5 m²/kg."2.5KG, 5KG, 10KGData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Albany Concentrated Wallcoverings Adhesive"perfect for home use for both light and heavyweight wallcoverings"MediumNo grade printed. "Liquid adhesive for light and heavyweight wallcoverings.""One packet is sufficient for 6 standard rolls."500mlData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman Decorating Products
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Roman PRO-543 Universal Wallcovering Adhesive"Hanging borders, light and medium-weight wallcovering on sealed, painted surfaces"Light"Excellent adhesion"; "Extended open-time and slip""Up to approx. 250 square feet per gallon"32 Ounce, 1 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman Universal Wheat Wallpaper Paste (dry mix)Lightweight wallcoverings, pre-pasted papers and wall size.Light"Wheat paste adhesive ideal for hanging lightweight wallcovering.""Hangs 12-16 single rolls per pound of paste"8 Ounce, 48 OunceData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman TEKNAbond Multipurpose Wall Size/Adhesive (dry mix)"Ideal for hanging pre-pasted wallpaper and light to medium weight materials like solid vinyl, grasscloth, string cloth, and more."Light"Multi-Purpose Wall Size/Adhesive""Covers between 300 – 400 square feet when hanging wallpaper, and up to 650 square feet when used as a wall size."8 OunceData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman PRO-880 Ultra Clear Strippable Wallcovering Adhesive"Undiluted PRO-880 will hang Type II and Type III wallcoverings, and may be diluted for use with lightweight and pre-pasted wallcoverings."Medium"Premium clear, strippable wallcovering adhesive"; "Maximum wet-tack"“Up to approx. 330 square feet per gallon.”32 Ounce, 1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman ECO-888 Premium Clear Strippable Wallcovering Adhesive"For all weights of wallcoverings."Medium"Premium Clear Strippable Adhesive"; "Maximum tack""Up to approx. 330 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman GH-34 Wheat-Based Paste for Unpasted Wallpaper"Ideal for specialty wallcovering such as grasscloth and stringcloth"Medium"Clear, Strippable, Non-Staining Wallcovering Adhesive"; "Superior wet tack""Up to approx. 180 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman 234 Premium Grade Heavy Duty Clear Wallcovering Adhesive"ideal for installing Type I, II and III wallcoverings."Heavy"PREMIUM HEAVY DUTY CLEAR""Approximately 280 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman PRO-838 Heavy Duty Clear Adhesive"For commercial weight (Type II and Type III) wallcoverings"Heavy"Heavy duty, commercial grade clear adhesive designed for contractors." The product page says "Not Strippable"."Up to approx. 280 square feet per gallon"32 Ounce, 1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman 780 Machinable Heavy Duty Clear Wallcovering Adhesive"recommended for installing medium to heavy weight wallcoverings"Heavy"MACHINABLE CLEAR"; "Dries Clear, Dry Strippable""Covers up to 240 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman 785 Heavy Duty Clear Strippable"Ideal for medium weight to heavyweight wallcoverings, including commercial vinyl."Heavy"HEAVY DUTY CLEAR STRIPPABLE""Approximately 280 square feet per gallon"Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman PRO-774 Clay Strippable Wallcovering Adhesive"Medium to heavy weights of wallcoverings including commercial weight (Type II and Type III) wallcoverings"Heavy"Commercial grade clay adhesive designed to hold the heaviest wallcoverings.""Up to approx. 200 square feet per gallon"5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman ECO-788 Clay Strippable Wallcovering Adhesive"For use with all types and weights of wallcovering"Heavy"Maximum wet tack""Up to approx. 200 sq. ft. per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman PRO-732 Extra-Strength Clay Wallcovering Adhesive"Medium to heavyweight (Type II and Type III) wallcoverings"Extra-heavy"Extra-Strength™ Adhesive"; "Commercial grade clay-based""Up to approx. 200 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman 111 Non-Strippable Heavy Duty Clay Wallcovering Adhesive"ideal for commercial Types II and III vinyl wallcoverings"Extra-heavy"HEAVY DUTY CLAY"; "strong, permanent bond""Approximately 280 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Roman PRO-555 Extreme Tack Wallcovering Adhesive"Applying vinyl wallcovering over surfaces where extreme adhesion is required." Tektura names it for its P3TEC wall protection.Extra-heavy"high tack, low moisture adhesive""Up to approx. 160 square feet per gallon"1 Gallon, 5 GallonData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Muraspec
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Murabond Light"To be used when hanging any Muraspec paper backed vinyl wallcovering."LightMuraspec names three adhesives: Light, Standard and Heavy.Not printed10kg, 5kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Murabond Standard"To be used when hanging any Muraspec paper backed textile or fibre glass wallcovering."Medium"Standard"Not printed10kg, 5kgMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026
Murabond Heavy"To be used when hanging any Muraspec fabric backed wallcovering." Muraspec’s leaflet: "Murabond Heavy Adhesive must be used when hanging Lining Paper."HeavyMuraspec names three adhesives: Light, Standard and Heavy.Murabond Heavy Adhesive must be used when hanging Lining Paper. Dilute the adhesive to the minimum required to obtain a workable consistency.Not printed10kg, 5kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Vescom
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Vescom 1000"vinyl wallcovering that weighs up to 370 g/m²"MediumNo grade word; chosen by weight: "up to 370 g/m²""Coverage: ± 4 m²/kg"Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Vescom 2000"any textile, olefin and vinyl wallcovering (heavier than 370 g/m2)"HeavyNo grade word; chosen by weight: "heavier than 370 g/m2""Textile: ± 4-5 m²/kg, vinyl: ± 5 m²/kg, olefin 5 m²/kg"Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Vescom 2500"any Wallcovering+Print"HeavyNo grade word"Coverage: ± 4-5 m²/kg"Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Vescom 2000 and 3000, mixed 1:1"vinyl and olefin wallcovering weighing 800 g/m² and higher"Extra-heavy"1 part Vescom 2000 and 1 part Vescom 3000"Not printedData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Tektura
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Tekfix"Use with paper-backed vinyl & lightweight fibre wallcovering"By the maker’s instructionNo grade word; Tektura names each Tekfix by its use.“32m2 coverage per tub”5kg tubMaker's pageFrom Tektura's own page, archived 20 September 2019; tektura.com no longer lists adhesives, so check availability.
Tekfix 65The same use as Tekfix: paper-backed vinyl and lightweight fibre wallcovering.By the maker’s instructionNo grade word; the 10 kg size of Tekfix.“65m2 coverage per tub”10kg tubMaker's pageFrom Tektura's own page, archived 20 September 2019; tektura.com no longer lists adhesives, so check availability.
Tekfix Plus"Use with fabric backed vinyl & textile wallcovering"By the maker’s instructionNo grade word; Tektura names each Tekfix by its use.“25m2 coverage per tub”5kg tubMaker's pageFrom Tektura's own page, archived 20 September 2019; tektura.com no longer lists adhesives, so check availability.
Tekfix Strippable"Use with fabric-backed vinyl on unprimed plasterboard"By the maker’s instructionNo grade word; Tektura names each Tekfix by its use.“25m2 coverage per tub”5kg tubsMaker's pageFrom Tektura's own page, archived 20 September 2019; tektura.com no longer lists adhesives, so check availability.
Cole & Son
PasteHouse stepBasis and product wordingCoverage, as printedSource
Cole & Son Wallcovering PasteCole & Son non-woven, silk and grasscloth wallpapers.MediumThe maker's words: a specially prepared ready-mixed starch based paste. It asks for no heavy-duty paste.Please avoid packet mixes or heavy-duty pastes, as these are designed for vinyl and may affect the finish of our handcrafted designs.“We recommend 1 kilo of paste per standard roll.”2.5 kilos, 5 kilos and 10 kilosMaker's pageChecked 14 October 2026

Vinyl-over-vinyl adhesive (VOV)

Vinyl-over-vinyl (VOV) and sealed-surface adhesives have product-specific uses. Some are intended for hanging on non-porous surfaces; others are for overlaps, borders or repairs. We select one only for the uses its maker allows, with the wallpaper maker's instruction first. They sit outside our house paste scale.

AdhesiveFor, in the maker's wordsCoverage, as printedSizesSource
Vescom 3000Vescom"vinyl and textile wallcovering on non-porous (not breathing) substrates"No grade word; chosen for "non-porous (not breathing) substrates""Textile: ± 5-7 m²/kg, vinyl: ± 4-5 m²/kg"Not statedData sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Murabond Sealed Surface Adhesive (vinyl-over-vinyl use)Muraspec"Recommended when hanging any Muraspec wallcovering on to non-absorbent surfaces."Muraspec does not call it VOV; it is sold for sealed, non-absorbent surfaces. Label: "ready mixed", "DO NOT DILUTE".“Coverage 6/7 m² per kg approx.”5kg (SEALEDSUR5KG)Data sheetChecked 14 October 2026
Tekfix Vinyl over Vinyl (Tekfix VOV)Tektura"Use with Tekwrite or fab-back vinyl over nonporous surfaces eg vinyl, metal, laminate"Safety sheet: "Vinyl over Vinyl Adhesive". "Ready to use / Do not dilute".“25m2 per tub”5kg tubData sheetFrom Tektura's own page, archived 7 July 2022; its current hanging sheets still name Tekfix VOV, but tektura.com no longer lists adhesives, so check availability.
Beeline Overlap & Repair AdhesiveCiret Ltd (Beeline)"for adhering overlaps on seams and for applying borders. Ideal for repairs to damaged or torn wallpapers."Label: "VINYL OVER VINYL"Not printed500g, 1kgData sheetChecked 14 October 2026

Woven wallcoverings: grasscloth, silk and textiles

Natural and woven faces are hung with the paste their maker names, and the paste never touches the face: on grasscloth it leaves a dark line, and on silk it cannot be wiped away. Cole & Son asks for its ready-mixed starch paste on its silks and grasscloths and warns against heavy-duty pastes; Fromental asks for a good-quality pre-mixed wallcovering adhesive on its grasscloth.

Where the maker gives no paste, we hang grasscloth, fabric, hessian and linen with a Medium-grade paste. The medium grades we use are made for them: Beeline's Medium Grade is formulated for hanging a wide range of Wallcoverings including textiles, glass fibre, hessian, paper and fabric-backed contract vinyl Wallcoverings, and Albany's Speciality, a medium grade, lists hessians, grasscloth, suedes, flocks, textiles. Our usual lining paste is Extra-heavy on the house scale. We confirm that it suits the particular wallpaper, lining, substrate and both makers’ instructions before using that combination.

What the wallpaper makers ask for

These are the makers' own instructions, which come before our house standard. They change; the product's current hanging instruction is the one that counts.

MakerLiningPasteAlsoSource
de GournayLine every wallAll walls should be lined with plain white 1000 or 1200 grade paper lining paper.The lining paper should be hung with the same adhesive as will be used to hang the final panels (see 'paste' below).Cross-lining is not needed so long as the joints of the lining do not meet the joints of the panels.de Gournay will not accept claims for labour charges or other consequential losses under any circumstances.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
Cole & SonWhere the wall needs itA good quality, 800 or 1000 grade lining paper is recommended.Cole & Son Wallcovering PasteWalls must be primed and if necessary cross line with lining paper.We recommend lining walls where highly metallic papers are being installed. If lining paper is being installed it should always be hung horizontally, following manufacturer’s instructions, and be allowed to dry completely.No claim for hanging costs in excess of one roll will be accepted.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
Farrow & BallRecommendedwe recommend that walls are horizontally cross lined with a good quality, midweight to heavyweight lining paper – around 1200–1400 grade – and left to dry for a minimum of 12 hours prior to hanging.not recommended for non-woven (‘paste the wall’) wallpapersCurrent paste instructions · Checked 17 October 2026Newly plastered walls and other absorbent surfaces should be carefully sized before hanging wallpaper.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
Fromental (printed non-woven)OptionalFor optimal results, apply 1000-grade lining paper, especially for lighter wallpapers, to prevent marks from showing through. Lining paper is not mandatory.Use a premium-quality tub adhesive (pH-neutral, solvent-free, fungicide-protected, light-grade). Avoid self-mix adhesives, all-purpose, or heavy-duty pastes.Apply a PVA-based size to the walls, adjusting the thickness according to wall absorbency.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
Fromental (grasscloth)RecommendedWe recommend cross-lining the walls with lining paper before installing grasscloth.Use a good-quality pre-mixed wallcovering adhesive.Do not over-soak the wallpaper. Keep adhesive and water off the face.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
Graham & BrownNot statedProfessional decorators hang lining paper horizontally. This is called cross lining.Confirm for the specific productThe paste must be the correct type for a traditional or a paste-the-wall paper.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
MuraspecNot statedMurabond Heavy Adhesive must be used when hanging Lining Paper.Never use material from different batches on one wall.Cut and hang in roll sequence; do not in-fill with off cuts or out of sequence drops.Remove all existing wallcovering and backing papers. (Hanging leaflet, May 2026)On coated non-absorbent walls: "rub down the wall to provide a key. Hang the wallcovering using Murabond Sealed Surface Adhesive." (Hanging leaflet, May 2026)Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
Phillip JeffriesNot statedConfirm for the specific productApply material above doors and windows as it comes off the roll; do not skip.…the material should be inspected after three (3) strips are installed.No claims will be allowed for more than (3) strips on the wall.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
VescomNot statedUse only Vescom adhesive.Completely remove existing wallcoverings and backing papers.Keep adhesive and water off the face.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026
TekturaNot statedGenerally Tekfix Plus, though depends on substrate.Tektura publishes no data sheet for its Tekfix pastes, so a lining under Tektura is checked with us first.Hanging instructionsChecked 14 October 2026

Your next step

Tell us the paper, and we will check the build-up.

Send the product reference. We read the maker's current instruction and confirm the primer, the lining and both pastes before anything is ordered.

By Dorin Burcus, founder