HOW LONG CAN I USE THE GLUE ONCE IT HAS BEEN OPENED?
When you are going to wallpaper a wall or room, it is advisable to have everything you need perfectly ready: the strips cut to size, a cutter for the cuts, glue and a brush to spread it and spatula to smooth the paper once placed. The question arises when it comes to knowing how long the glue can be used once opened or prepared.
The truth is that the products used to stick wallpaper to surfaces usually have a long drying time. This means that it is not necessary to be clock-watching to know how long the glue can be used once opened. But one should not let their guard down, as not all have the same characteristics.
How to know how long the queue can be used once opened?
The advice is always to read the product characteristics carefully. The usual thing is that the labels specify both the drying time and the You can use the queue once it is open. But that time will always be approximate. It must be taken into account that both humidity conditions and ambient temperature may cause it to vary slightly.
Obviously, the appropriate thing to do is to respect the time set by the manufacturer for using the glue once opened. The reason is simple: it is within that period in which the product maintains all its characteristics intact. Once it has been exceeded, it is normal for it to thicken due to the evaporation of water and make it more difficult to apply. And the solution will not always be to add liquid, it will depend on the product in question.
When it comes to ready-made glues, especially when they are especially indicated for heavy papers or vinyls, the time in which the glue can be used once opened is one hour at most. Therefore, the recommendation is to have everything perfectly prepared, wait until the last moment to open the container and keep it perfectly closed when not in use.
Very different is methyl cellulosic glue, which comes in powder form and is prepared at the time of wallpapering. To do this, what is done is to add water in different quantities, depending on the density required by the type of paper chosen. In this case, you don't have to worry so much about how long the queue can be used once it is opened and prepared.
When the water in these mixtures evaporates, more can be added without problems. It is even possible to store the excess in an airtight container and store it for later use. If it has compacted slightly when opening it, simply add some water and mix well again.
The advice: better little by little
As we point out, the characteristics of each product may vary. Also environmental conditions can make the time in which the glue can be used a once opened may vary slightly from one circumstance to another.
Therefore, to avoid wasting material or using products when they no longer meet the most appropriate conditions, the ideal is to correctly calculate the quantities that will be needed. We may lose some time, but we will also avoid the finish not being perfect due to using the glue once opened beyond what is advisable.
Alf&Mabi wallpapers are non-woven fabric type and require a wallpaper glue suitable for this support. Powdered glues are normally used, which have a greater durability after being prepared. Therefore, you can start the installation in one day and finish the next day, for example, without the risk of the glue drying out.
