Troubleshooting & Installation Tips

Sometimes a wall decal develops a bubble, or a peel and stick wallpaper panel begins to lift. Start by checking the wall surface and the condition of the adhesive. Many small problems can be corrected, especially if you catch them early.

Bubbles Under a Wall Decal

A small bubble may appear after installation if air was trapped under the decal. First, try gently smoothing it toward the nearest edge with your finger or a soft cloth.

If the bubble will not move, use a clean, fine sewing pin to make one tiny opening in the bubble. Gently press the air toward that opening, working from the outside of the bubble inward. Avoid pressing hard enough to stretch or damage the decal.

If bubbles continue to appear, check for dust, cleaning residue, wall texture, or paint that has not fully cured. Repeated bubbles may point to a wall-surface problem that a pin cannot fix.

Why Wall Paint Matters

Wall decals and peel and stick wallpaper adhere to the painted surface, so the condition of that paint matters. Adhesion can vary with the paint formulation, finish, texture, cleaning products, and how well the paint is bonded to the wall.

Wait at least 6 weeks after painting before applying our wall decals or peel and stick wallpaper. Fresh paint may still be curing, which can interfere with adhesion or contribute to bubbles. A wall may feel dry to the touch before it is ready for adhesive wall decor.

Before installation, make sure the wall is clean, dry, smooth, and free of loose or peeling paint. If you are uncertain about your paint or wall surface, test a sample in an inconspicuous area and contact us before installing a full design.

Peel and Stick Wallpaper Is Lifting or Has Fallen

First, find out why the panel released. Check for dust or residue on the wall, recently applied paint, heavy texture, humidity, or paint that is peeling away with the wallpaper. Reattaching a panel without addressing the wall surface may lead to the same problem again.

A lightly textured wall may benefit from an installation helper, but heavily textured surfaces generally need to be smoothed before peel and stick wallpaper is installed. ROMAN E-Z Hang Peel & Stick Helper can provide additional adhesion and make panels easier to position, but results depend on the wall and the condition of the panel.

Before You Try to Reattach a Panel

• Inspect the panel for tears, creases, or debris stuck to its adhesive.
• Check whether the wall paint is intact, clean, and fully cured.
• Ask someone to help hold and align a large panel.
• Review our Peel and Stick Wallpaper Installation Guide.

How to Reattach a Usable Panel

1. Separate it carefully. If the panel has folded onto itself, pull the sections apart slowly. Do not force a crease or pull hard enough to stretch or tear the material.
2. Keep the adhesive clean. Lay the panel on a clean surface with its adhesive side protected from dust, lint, and pet hair. If the adhesive is heavily contaminated or damaged, the panel may not reattach successfully.
3. Prepare the wall. Clean the affected area and let it dry completely. Address any loose paint or other surface problem before continuing.
4. Apply E-Z Hang to the wall, if using it. Shake the bottle and spray the wall section where the panel will be placed, following ROMAN’s directions for peel and stick wallpaper. Do not spray the adhesive side of the panel.
5. Position and smooth the panel. Align it with the neighboring panel and preserve the intended pattern overlap. Smooth from the center outward, then wipe away any excess installation helper before it dries.

Work on one panel at a time. If the panel has torn, developed a permanent crease, or collected too much debris, contact us with photos of the panel and wall. We can review whether a replacement panel is possible.

Still Need Help?

Send us photos of the wall, the affected panel or decal, and a close-up of the problem. Let us know when the wall was last painted and which material you ordered. Contact MotoMoms Decor before pulling down additional panels so we can help you decide what to do next.