Will wall decals work on my painted wall?

Look for flaking, chalkiness, damp patches or areas where the paint is already coming away. A decal cannot hold weak paint onto a wall. Removing any adhesive product from poorly bonded paint can lift that paint with it.

In our installation work, we have seen paint lift where plaster dust was left beneath the sealer or paint. Dust at a lifted patch can be a clue, but a photo alone cannot establish every cause. Sort out an unstable surface before decorating it.

We recommend allowing at least four weeks after painting before applying your decal. Paint can feel dry long before it has finished curing. Check the instructions for the exact paint as well, particularly if conditions have been cool or damp or the manufacturer requires longer.

If you are planning a room makeover, allow for the painting and curing time before your installation date. Do not use touch-dry or recoat times as the point when the wall is ready for a decal.

We have installed decals successfully on washable painted surfaces, but finishes differ. In our experience, very matte, dark Resene SpaceCote finishes can mark even with handling, so we do not recommend those surfaces for our standard decals. This is not a statement about every paint in the SpaceCote range: the exact finish matters.

Send us the full paint name and finish, together with the decal you want, rather than just the paint brand. A material sample helps you check the actual wall before committing.

On a suitable painted wall, use very fine sandpaper lightly, first testing a small, inconspicuous area. Do not continue if the test leaves visible marks or damages the finish. Contact us if you are unsure whether the coating is suitable. We do not recommend sanding every surface as a routine step.

Remove the fine dust thoroughly with a barely damp cloth. Rinse or change the cloth and repeat as needed until the surface is clean, then let it dry completely before installation.

Do not sand glass or laminate. Do not sand unknown old coatings or surfaces that may contain hazardous material; get appropriate advice first.

A sample is particularly useful if you do not know the paint, have a very matte finish or have had another wall sticker fail. Email us the design name and what you know about the wall. We can send a sample of the material used for that product and help you plan the next step.