How To Modernise Your Retro Walls

Step 1: Introduction

How to modernise your retro walls. If your home looks like a 1970’s relic with flowery wallpaper and Artex ceilings, then you’ll be pleased to know that dragging it into the 21st century isn’t that hard. Here are a few simple tricks and tips from Polycell to show you how it’s done

Step 2: Removing wallpaper

Firstly, protect your furniture by moving it out of the room and covering the floor with dust sheets. Then, mix half a bottle of Polycell Wallpaper Stripper with 9 liters of cold water. Next, prepare the paper. If it’s painted, carefully score the surface with the corner of a stripping knife and vinyl paper should be peeled off to expose the bucking material. Brush plenty of the solution onto the wall, making sure it’s quite wet. Leave it to soak in 5 to 10 minutes and strip it off with a broad-plated stripping knife.

Step 3: Smoothing damaged walls

Once you’ve got the paper off, smooth over the whole area using Polycell SmoothOver for damaged walls. First, fill any holes deep within 2 mm with appropriate Polycell Polyfilla and level off with a wet filling knife. Stir the SmoothOver product until you have a creamy consistency and then dump the roller making sure it’s well-loaded. Apply to the wall 1 meter square at a time, smoothing off with a SmoothOver tool. Work away from the edges, focusing on small areas at a time. When the product is dry, any lines that are left can easily be sanded down.

Step 4: Getting rid of an Artex ceiling

If the retro textures don’t just cover the walls, then you’ll need a Polycell SmoothOver for textured ceilings. First, scrape off any peaks over 4 mm. Dump the roller, making sure everything’s well-loaded to start applying into the ceiling. Once it’s dry, give it a light sand to smooth any lines that are left and get ready to rejoin the modern world.