Apt.1 1F Japanese Room: Wall Repair Vol.4

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u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-09-19 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 2026

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Last time we finished the woodwork painting. Before painting the ceiling, I need to mask off the wall-to-ceiling boundary u2014 yes, this step is technically about the ceiling, not the wall, but I’m putting it here. You can file that complaint wherever you like. (laughs)

2026 DIY Dad Notes: 1F Japanese Room Wall Repair u2014 Prep to Wallpaper Finish

2026 DIY Dad Notes: 1F Japanese Room Wall Repair u2014 Prep to Wallpaper Finish

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Building on the lessons from the 2nd floor, the 1st-floor Japanese room (u548cu5ba4 washitsu) wall renovation moved more efficiently. Here’s a closer look at the prep steps involved.

Sand Plaster to Wallpaper: Why Surface Prep Matters

Skipping proper prep on old sand-plaster walls causes peeling later. The steps:

Test the sand plaster’s adhesion u2014 if it crumbles when touched, it needs sealer
Apply sealer (consolidating primer) over the entire surface
Once dry, fill surface irregularities with joint compound
Repeat the patch-then-sand cycle until smooth enough to paper
Final sealer coat to even out surface absorption

Identifying Old Wall Types

Sand plaster (u7802u58c1): Rough, sandy. Sealer + patching. Relatively manageable.
Fiber plaster (u7e4au7dadu58c1): Visible fibers in the surface. May need full removal u2014 fibers prevent compound from bonding properly.
Juraku (u3058u3085u3089u304fu58c1): Earthen wall, yellow-gray tone. Sealer + patching works, but uneven thickness adds effort.
Shikkui (u6f06u55b0): Hard white lime plaster. Good condition = sealer only. Poor condition = surface removal required.

“Seal the surface first” is the universal first step regardless of wall type.

Wallpaper Tips for Beginners

Adhesive: Full coverage on the back of each sheet u2014 any dry spots cause peeling
First sheet: Perfectly plumb u2014 every sheet follows from this one
Air removal: Smooth brush from center to edges
Seam bonding: Seam roller on every joint
Trimming: Straightedge against the wall, clean knife cut

First, the masking u2014 protecting surfaces before painting. It’s tedious work that doesn’t photograph well, but here’s what I have:

Masking

Next u2014 the closet (oshi-ire) gets a second coat of paint.

Closet u2014 second coat

I got the finish to the state shown above, but honestly it still didn’t look quite right. Hard to capture in photos, but u2014 it just wasn’t there yet. That’s what the next episode is for. See you next time!