Tools & Materials Vol.3b: Wall Base Prep u2014 Fiber Plaster

u270fufe0f Originally published: 2021-07-27 / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 8, 2026

u270fufe0f 2026 Update from DIY Dad: DIY Renovation Tools & Materials Guide for Apartments

This post introduces the tools and materials DIY Dad actually used in apartment renovations. Knowing what to gather is the first step toward doing the work yourself. ^ ^

Tools for Wallpaper Installation

Essential tools:

• Wallpaper cutting knife (stock extra blades)
• Smoothing brush (for pressing out air bubbles)
• Straight edge (used as a guide when cutting)
• Joint roller (for pressing seams)
• Sponge (for wiping off excess paste)
• Stepladder (for working near the ceiling)

Nice to have:

• Paste machine (major time saver for large jobs)
• Wallpaper roller (for de-airing large sections)

Tools bought once get used over and over. Since DIY Dad renovates multiple apartment rooms in sequence, the return on that investment comes quickly. m(_ _)m

Tools for Cushion Floor Installation

Essential tools:

• Heavy-duty cutting knife (thick-blade type for CF)
• Straight edge (for trimming CF edges)
• Roller (for pressing down after adhesive application)
• Hand saw (for cutting base molding)
• Template paper (for cutting out complex shapes)

Materials:

• Cushion floor (buy 10u201320 cm more than the room size)
• Double-sided floor tape or dedicated adhesive
• Base molding (if replacing)

Purchase CF in a single roll and cut on-site. Try to design the layout so one sheet covers the entire room u2014 seams are visible and best avoided. ^ ^

Tools for Wall Base Preparation

• Sealer (consolidant/primer)
• Putty (base coat leveling compound)
• Putty trowel
• Sandpaper (for smoothing dried putty)
• Masker and masking tape

Older properties often have fiber walls, sand-plaster walls, or Juraku clay walls that can’t be wallpapered as-is. The process is: sealer u2192 putty u2192 sanding. m(_ _)m

The Importance of Masking

Proper masking (protective covering) is a major factor in renovation quality. Thorough masking means:

• Paint and adhesive stay where they belong
• Clean, straight finish lines
• Far less cleanup and rework

Use maskers (tape-backed plastic sheeting), blue tarps, and masking tape as the job demands. Masking before painting in particular should be done meticulously. ^ ^

ud83cudfe2 For Anyone Considering Apartment Investment or Renovation

Cost-effectiveness is everything. DIY Dad drastically reduces costs by doing the work himself. ^ ^

Marutoku Shop | Renovation materials and lumber online u00bb

Hello, this is DIY Dad. ^ ^

This post introduces the tools and materials used for wall base preparation before hanging wallpaper. The treatment varies depending on the existing wall condition.

2) When the Existing Wall Is a Fiber Plaster Wall

The approach here is to strip the fibers to expose the base board underneath. Spray water onto the wall to soften the fibers, then scrape them off with a trowel. For fine fibers the trowel can’t reach, use a grip sander to knock them away.

Tools needed: electric sprayer, trowel, grip sander.

Hand Sprayer

Sprays water to soften and loosen the fiber material.

Electric Sprayer

Same purpose as the hand sprayer, but electric u2014 much more convenient for large areas or when manual pumping gets tedious. As the photo shows, this tool was originally designed for something else entirely.

Trowel

Scrapes off the softened fiber. Also used heavily for wallpaper work u2014 a genuinely versatile tool.

Grip Sander

Used after scraping with the trowel for finishing u2014 knocking off the fine residual fibers. (Interestingly, DIY Dad couldn’t locate the actual tool for this photo. Sweating.)

That’s all for today! (^^)/~~~

ud83dudd27 DIY Dad’s Recommended Power Tools

A compact, USB rechargeable cordless driver set that’s easy for anyone to use u2014 even beginners.

ud83dudcdd DIY Dad’s note u2014 Premium Article

Real Cost & Timeline Database for DIY Renovation
u00a5500 u2014 View the real numbers u2192

ud83dudcdd DIY Dad’s note u2014 Premium Article

DIY Renovation Estimate Review Manual
u00a5300 u2014 Scrutinize the quote u2192

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