Best way to cut wallpaper border?

Question

I'm hanging a prepasted wallpaper border in my kitchen. It looks really good so far, except for the ends. I've left about an inch or so on each end of the wall to allow myself some wiggle room, but every time I try to trim the excess off the ends, I end up tearing it and getting a jagged edge that looks really crappy. I've been using a new box cutter blade. Would a razor blade be better? Or should I wait for the border to completely dry so it would be easier to cut and not so squishy?

Answer 1

The best way is put the wall paper in the spot that you want on the wall and score it with a razor blade Good Luck

Answer 2

While the wall paper is still wet, use a straight edge to make the cut. You can get a nice clean line by overlapping the border on itself by about 4 inches at the point you want to cut. Lay your straight edge over the middle of the overlap and use a sharp utility knife to cut through both layers at the same time. Remove the excess border and voila!

Answer 3

Try scissors for no "rip" effect.

Answer 4

Well, this wouldn't work for you since the paper is already up on the wall, but I used a straight cutter when the border was dry.  You know, the kind you put the paper under the bar and pull the blade accross.  You get a really straight, even cut.

Answer 5

A sharp blade is the best, but be sure to run the blade as parellel the wall as possible.  THis allows the blade to 'slice' rather than Cut or chop the wallpaper. (Consider the angle of the edge on a pair of scissors. They are close to the plane of the paper)   A straight edge will help, but the thing which will keep you from 'tearing' the paper is the angle of the blade to the paper.  Also, Change blades as often as necessary.  (I sharpen mine using a chef's steel as they begin to feel a bit of drag on the paper).  Move slowly, and again, try to slice, not cut.

Answer 6

A fresh box cutter blade should be fine. You should also use a 8" scraper blade as a guide for the cut and to reinforce the border piece that is to stay in place. This will keep any tearing from going back into the section you are keeping.

Answer 7

A new box cutter was right on. And your right about waiting for the wall paper to dry before cutting it off. If the paper is wet it will tear & rip.

Good luck!