Recipe for making liquid wallpaper from egg trays

With its distinctive texture and finish, liquid wallpaper is a fun and environmentally responsible substitute for traditional wall coverings that can completely change any space. Even more thrilling is the fact that you can make it on your own with common, basic materials like egg trays. By using a do-it-yourself method, you can recycle materials that would otherwise be thrown away in addition to saving money.

We’ll walk you through the process of transforming used egg trays into a flexible and environmentally friendly liquid wallpaper in this post. This is a simple recipe that doesn’t call for expensive or specialized equipment. This method is ideal for anyone looking to add a personal touch to their home decor, regardless of experience level or desire for a fun weekend project.

You’ll have all the information you need by the end of this tutorial to make your own liquid wallpaper, which will add a new, textured look to your walls and help the environment. Let’s begin this simple yet fruitful project!

Features and properties of liquid wallpaper from egg trays

In handmade compositions, the primary benefits of liquid wallpaper manufactured in factories are nearly entirely retained. There are, however, a few more benefits to be aware of:

• Affordable cost. Compared to a factory mix, liquid wallpaper made by hand is much cheaper. However, to get a good finishing material with high performance parameters, it is necessary to use high-quality raw materials and decorative ingredients. It will still be cheaper;
• Unique decorative composition. Despite the wide choice, the variety of colors in liquid wallpaper is still limited. The ability to create the composition yourself, combine colors, create new shades, use original flocks, will allow you to get the perfect finish that fits harmoniously into the interior style of the room.

Handmade liquid wallpaper, according to some artisans, does not have the same decorative effect as factory-produced wallpaper and does not adhere to the wall well. It also fades quickly in the sun. There is only one solution to this: you must use premium raw materials and meticulously adhere to preparation technology and surface finishing preparation.

How to make liquid wallpaper from egg trays

Egg trays are made mostly of cellulose and don’t contain many adhesives. They are the most eco-friendly raw material for liquid wallpaper that is suitable. It goes without saying that the trays need to be spotless and free of any biological pollutants. If not, it is impossible to avoid the mold and mildew odor.

The following phases comprise the preparation process:

• Egg trays are crushed, while the texture of the treated surface will depend on the fraction obtained. The larger the pieces, the more relief the finish will be;
• The crushed cellulose is poured with water at room temperature and thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained;
• The base must be left to swell for 2-3 hours. In this case, the container must be closed to prevent evaporation of water;
• Glue, paint, decorative elements are added to the mixture, after which it is mixed again until a uniformly colored mass is obtained;
• Gypsum plaster is added, mixed and left to “ripen” for 5-7 hours.

Crucial! It is essential to dose the gypsum very precisely. The mixture will harden and become unfit for application if you add too much of it.

Calculation of ingredients

Experience has shown that the following ratios of raw materials are needed to finish 3 m2 of wall with a layer no thicker than 2-3 mm:

• Cellulose base – 1 kg;
• Water – 5 l;
• Glue 0.5 kg (liquid), the dry mixture must first be diluted as indicated on the pack;
• Gypsum plaster up to 0.5 kg;
• Decorative components, including paint – depending on personal preference.

It is advised to prepare the mixture so that the building structure is fully covered. In other words, the walls, all of them. By doing this, variations in texture and color at the intersections of various zones will be prevented.

Decorative additives

Decor items include colored threads, mica, marble flour or chips, crushed colored New Year’s tinsel, etc.p. When selecting ornamental accents, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• They should not color the mass;
• They should not have hard cutting edges. For example, you cannot use broken glass Christmas tree decorations;
• They should be resistant to high humidity, that is, they should not spread or dissolve in water during mixing.

Painting

A coloring paste from a reputable construction paint manufacturer would be the best option for painting. Using old gouache and other paints to further reduce the cost of liquid wallpaper is not advised. In the sun, the color will be erratic and quickly fade.

Features of application

Applying liquid wallpaper that you make yourself is essentially the same as using a similar procedure with compositions that are prefabricated.

Necessary tools and materials

Given that the self-prepared mixture needs to be stirred very carefully, a screwdriver drill with the appropriate attachment, a "mixer," is required. You will also require the following equipment:

• Container – a plastic bucket or basin with high sides with a capacity of more than 10 liters;
• Spatula or float for applying wallpaper to the work surface – wall or ceiling;
• Scissors, knife or mechanical devices for crushing egg trays.

Ingredients for wallpaper liquid are measured out as follows:

• Base – carefully crushed egg trays and gypsum plaster, it is better to use finishing or multi-finishing;
• Binding agents – PVA glue, bustilate or dry wallpaper glue for heavy wallpaper (non-woven, vinyl);
• Paint;
• Decorative elements.

Preparing the walls

The base surface must be prepared in order to get the best outcome:

Concrete walls are dark in color and have a low hygroscopicity. Applying a white deep penetration primer or a unique primer composition called betonkontakt is advised.

Brick walls should be sealed with plasterboard or covered with starting plaster to prevent an excessive amount of finishing material consumption;

Plastered surfaces: A metal brush is used to clean any loose or friable areas. An acrylic primer that penetrates deeply is applied to the surface. Significant depth defects should be filled with a repair solution that resembles plaster in terms of binder type;

It is advised to remove additional decorative elements such as wallpaper, oil paints, and lime whitewash in addition to cleaning the walls to get rid of contaminants like glue residue.

Application

Plastering and applying homemade liquid wallpaper are exactly the same processes. Using a plastic float or spatula, the finished mixture is applied to the work surface. The tool is pressed against the wall at a 30- to 45-degree angle, a small amount of wallpaper is applied, and the wallpaper is pulled up from the bottom. Lateral movements are used to smooth out the finish after multiple applications. It is advised to apply from the room’s corner, which is usually well-lit.

Egg trays can be used to make liquid wallpaper, which is an easy and environmentally responsible do-it-yourself project that turns waste materials into a stylish wall covering. You can achieve a textured, customizable finish by pulping the egg trays, combining them with adhesive and pigments, and then applying the mixture to walls. In addition to recycling waste, this technique provides an imaginative and reasonably priced substitute for conventional wallpaper, opening up countless design options.

Common mistakes

Common errors that are frequently made when creating and applying liquid wallpaper include:

Overdoing it on the flocks—the pursuit of beauty can occasionally backfire; excessive ornamentation will not only seem tacky on the wall, but it will also seriously weaken the finish’s adhesion, or ability to stick to the base;

The mixture can be diluted, but only with warm water, if it has thickened excessively due to prolonged work;

If the choice is made to apply paint directly to the surface rather than incorporate it into the composition, this should only be done once the paint has completely dried, ideally using a pneumatic sprayer to minimize the chance of mechanical impact on the dampened finish;

It is advised to lightly moisten the spatula before smoothing the wallpaper during application to avoid the working composition from adhering to the tool’s surface.

Egg trays can be used to make liquid wallpaper, which is an inexpensive and environmentally beneficial way to reuse materials that would otherwise be thrown away. With a little effort, you can turn plain egg trays into a distinctive wall covering that gives character and texture to any area.

The procedure is simple: the egg trays are broken down into a pulp, which is then combined with adhesive and applied to the walls. By incorporating pigments or additional decorative components into the mixture, you can alter the appearance. As a consequence, you get a wall finish that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also long-lasting and simple to maintain.

You can create a genuinely unique look for your home by experimenting with different textures and colors when you make your own liquid wallpaper. This project is the ideal illustration of how sustainability and creativity can coexist in home design. It’s also a fulfilling and enjoyable experience that gives your living area a unique touch.

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