Woodchip wallpaper, called Raufaser in Germany, is on the walls of a huge number of German homes. It is cheap, easy to paint over and hides small flaws, which is why it is still the standard in many flats and houses. When you decide on a wall mural, the question comes up at once: can the mural simply go on top of it?

The short answer

We recommend a smooth wall. A mural is a printed picture, and the relief of woodchip wallpaper can show through it, especially on light and calm designs and when light falls across the wall at an angle. Our peel and stick material is made for smooth walls, so it is not a good match for Raufaser. A non-woven mural pasted on a rough surface can look uneven too, and the seams between panels are harder to keep invisible.

Check your wall first

Before you decide, look at the wall properly:

• Hold a lamp flat against the wall and shine it along the surface. Raised chips and bumps throw small shadows, so you see at once how rough the surface really is.
• Press a piece of strong tape on a hidden spot and pull it off. If paint or paper comes away with it, the surface is not firm enough to carry a mural and has to be repaired first.
• Look for several layers of paint. Many Raufaser walls have been painted again and again, which makes the grain softer but also fills it unevenly.
• Look at the color. A dark wall color under a light mural can show through, so a white primer coat is a good idea.

Way 1: remove the Raufaser

This is the cleanest solution, and it is the preparation our non-woven installation guide asks for: remove old wallpaper and paint, patch the wall and prime it.

1. Scratch the surface with a wallpaper scraper so that water can get in.
2. Soak the wall with warm water and let it work for a while.
3. Pull the paper off with a wide spatula, working from the top down.
4. Fill holes and cracks, sand the repairs and wipe off the dust.
5. Apply a primer and let it dry fully before you paste anything.

Be careful with water near sockets and switches, and switch the power off for that wall.

Way 2: skim the Raufaser flat

If the Raufaser sits firmly, you can leave it and smooth the wall instead. Spread a smoothing filler over the whole surface in thin layers, let each layer dry, sand it and remove the dust. A filler in one thick layer tends to crack, so patience pays off. Finish with a primer. This takes time, but you avoid the soaking and the mess.

Which material to choose afterwards

Once the wall is smooth and primed, any of our non-woven materials (Economy, Standard, Premium) can be pasted on it. Peel and stick also works on a smooth, clean wall. Compare our materials or order a sample set to see the textures in your own light. When the wall is ready, follow our guide to hanging a non-woven mural, and measure carefully first with the measuring guide.

Common mistakes

• Pasting on loose or crumbling Raufaser. The moisture from the paste can loosen it and the mural comes off together with it.
• Skipping the primer. The paste then soaks in unevenly.
• Rushing the drying time. Follow the instructions of your filler and primer.

Designs to look at

Calm designs look good on a freshly smoothed wall: Neutral Forest, beige birch and pine, Blush Forest, pink trees and meadow or Sepia Savanna.

We cannot guarantee the result on a wall that has not been prepared. If you are unsure, send a photo of your wall to sale@lipastick.com.