Can you put wallpaper on metal? Wallpaper is usually glued to absorbent surfaces such as walls and wood. Wallpaper adhesives are also generally made for adhering wallpaper to porous surfaces. Therefore, it’s not possible to stick standard wallpaper to metal with standard wallpaper adhesives.
However, with certain methods, you can stick wallpaper on a metal cabinet, box, or furniture. Here’s how to glue wallpaper to a metal cabinet, metal box, or metal furniture.
Can You Put Wallpaper on Metal?
The surface of metal is not absorbent, so standard wallpaper adhesives won’t work. Even if they initially stick, you’ll soon find that the wallpaper begins to peel off at the edges.
Can you put wallpaper on metal? You can attach wallpaper to a metal cabinet or other objects in four ways. First, however, you need to prepare the surface. You can also use different adhesives to stick wallpaper to metal. Here are four ways to attach wallpaper to metal.
4 Ways to Glue Wallpaper on Metal
- Ready-to-use wallpaper adhesive.
- Priming the metal surface.
- Self-adhesive wallpaper.
- Contact adhesive.
How to Glue Wallpaper on a Metal Surface?
Above, we listed the methods of applying wallpaper to metal. Now, let’s explain how to use these methods. Each method has pros and cons. Let’s go through them so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
1-Applying Wallpaper to Metal with Ready-to-Use Wallpaper Adhesive
Ready-to-use wallpaper adhesives are different from standard wallpaper adhesives; they’re much stronger than regular powder adhesives. That’s why they’re often used for heavy wallpaper. They can be a good option for applying wallpaper to metal.
2-Priming Metal to Apply Wallpaper
You can prepare a metal surface for wallpaper adhesion by priming it. Here are some suitable primers:
- Glossy surface primers: Primers for shiny and slippery surfaces. They may have different names in various regions but are often called “glossy surface primers.”
- Concrete primer: These create a rough surface that improves adhesion. You can find them in hardware stores.
- Transition primer: Apply a single coat of transition primer and let it dry for a day before attaching the wallpaper.
3-Using Contact Adhesive to Apply Wallpaper to Metal
Contact adhesives are multipurpose adhesives suitable for many surfaces. They work well for attaching wallpaper to metal. Apply contact adhesive to the metal with a brush, wait 4–5 minutes, and then press the wallpaper onto the surface. This method is suitable for small metal surfaces, like filing cabinets. “Related Posts: Painting a metal filing cabinet and can you put wallpaper on paneling?”
4-Self-Adhesive Wallpapers for Metal Surfaces
Self-adhesive wallpapers are different from standard wallpapers. They work well on non-absorbent, shiny, and slippery surfaces. You can easily apply self-adhesive wallpaper to a clean, dry metal surface, and it will adhere well. “Related article: Changing the color of cabinets without painting them.”
Can You Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper on Metal?
Self-adhesive (peel-and-stick) wallpapers are the most effective method for attaching wallpaper to metal, especially if the metal surface is smooth and shiny.
Can You Put Wallpaper on Stainless Steel?
Standard wallpapers won’t stick to stainless steel. However, if you apply an absorbent primer, they will adhere. Self-adhesive wallpapers are also a good option for stainless steel. You may also be interested in these: “Prepping walls for painting after wallpaper removal and how to remove spray paint from metal?”
