Is it possible to wallpaper over cork veneer wallpaper

[AufwiedersehenPetal]

I am a British painter and decorator living and working in Germany.

I have been asked to quote for repapering the hall stairs and landings of an old house with 3 floors that is currently covered in cork veneer wallpaper and has been for at least 20 or 30 years. The plaster underneath is crumbly and the wallpaper is still very well adhered everywhere except one small spot. The customer wants to repapering directly over the top with glass fibre paper.

My question is this: will the new wallpaper adhere well over the old cork wallpaper without stripping? I assume that I will have to size in the appropriate paste before I start. Customer is meanwhile going to do a test patch.

Any advice gratefully received!

 

[emilybronte]

I am a British painter and decorator living and working in Germany.

I have been asked to quote for repapering the hall stairs and landings of an old house with 3 floors that is currently covered in cork veneer wallpaper and has been for at least 20 or 30 years. The plaster underneath is crumbly and the wallpaper is still very well adhered everywhere except one small spot. The customer wants to repapering directly over the top with glass fibre paper.

My question is this: will the new wallpaper adhere well over the old cork wallpaper without stripping? I assume that I will have to size in the appropriate paste before I start. Customer is meanwhile going to do a test patch.

Any advice gratefully received!

Every fibre of my being cries, No! Don't agree to it. If the plaster is not solid and secure, the added weight of the new paper may be the last straw. Plus, the effect of the new glue on the old cork stuff is unpredictable. I've known it bring the old stuff off the wall even when it seemed well adhered beforehand.

Tell him you'll only re-paper if he strips the old stuff and if need be has the walls re-skimmed. Otherwise, you are risking an expensive disaster.

 

[AufwiedersehenPetal]

Thanks for the good advice. Hypothetically if the plaster was good enough underneath, would you be able to hang paper directly on top of the veneer? and as an alternative, do you think it could be painted directly? I think the customer would like to avoid stripping as it will significantly increase the cost of the job. He has already taken off hessian and bamboo off walls in other rooms in the house! It is an old house with plenty of german character! Otherwise I will ask if he has had any german firms quote.

 

[Robbie uk]

The customer will always say he doesnt want to take it off to save cost but, if after it is all done and starts to come apart or fall off he will be coming back to you to put it right. There is no guarentee that the new paper will even stick to the cork. Maybe a coat of Zinsser Gaurdz may be beneficial first.

 

[AufwiedersehenPetal]

Thanks Robbie. I'll go back and do a test patch with him to show what can happen. Hope I get the job!