Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Great adhesion, easy to mix, great range |
| Disadvantages: |
Need to keep away from children and pets |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
I quite enjoy a bit of DIY and one of the things I like to do is hang wallpaper - it is great way to get a new finish to a room and the results don't take too long to achieve. I live in a house where the walls are not perfectly finished so wallpapering is useful to cover up the odd imperfection. Whenever I am wallpapering I usually make a bee-line for the Solvite Wallpaper Adhesive because I have been really pleased with this product whenever I have used it.
Many years ago they ran a series of TV adverts where they pasted a bloke on to a board using Solvite and then flew him over the countryside to show how effective it was. If I am honest I never really was convinced that the stuff was that good (and I certainly wouldn't take part in that stunt to prove it one way or another) but it was a distinctive enough advert to make me use it the first time and I have used it, and got great results, ever since.
It now comes in three varieties Extra Strong, Pink Extra Strong and Paste the Wall Extra Strong - funny that they don't do a standard variety if the do an 'Extra Strong' ? - I tend to use the basic Extra Strong. They developed the pink one so that you could see where you had pasted the paper but I have never felt the need to use it because I can generally see what I am doing - however if you do use the pink I am assured that it dries clear so it shouldn't make any difference which you prefer.
When wallpapering with Solvite you need to mix it according to the instructions on the packet depending on the type of wallpaper you are planning to hang. Heavier wallpapers need a 'thicker' mix and thus you add less water. The instructions on the pack also helpfully tell you how many rolls you could expect to hang depending on the mix you choose.
The packs of Solvite come in various sizes
. 3 Roll Sachet
· 5 Roll Sachet
· 10 Roll Sachet
· 15 Roll Sachet
· 20 Roll Box
· 30 Roll Box
which should enable you to choose just the right size for the job you are doing.
Once you have selected your mix, fill a bucket with the requisite amount of water and then sprinkle the paste mix on to the water whilst mixing it briskly for 20 seconds. Personally I do the mixing with one hand whilst sprinkling with the other and you can easily feel the texture changing indicating it is properly mixed. OK it does feel a little glutinous on your hand but it is easy to wash off and I feel that method always ensure it is fully mixed right down to the bottom of the bucket. Leave it to stand for a minute and a half and then stir thoroughly before use.
Next apply the paste to your length of wallpaper making sure you go right up to the edges and the ends of the paper, fold the paper concertina fashion and apply to the wall. Solvite is great because it allows you to reposition the paper as you wish until you are happy it is correctly positioned. Carefully smooth the paper into place squeezing out any obvious bubbles, trim the edges and leave to dry. I find that so long as you follow this procedure you don't get bubbles with Solvite, any small imperfections that may appear to be there when the paper is wet will dry out flat (providing the paste is well mixed before application).
It is best to wipe off any excess paste whilst it is still damp. Just a word of warning though Solvite paste does contain a fungicide to inhibit mould growth so you should keep the wet paste away from children and pets. This might seem obvious but curious toddlers or dogs could try to eat the wet paste and you should take steps to prevent this - the simplest way is to shut them out of the room!
Solvite is made by Henkel who also make a whole range of DIY products including Unibond, Duck tapes, Loctite, Sellotape and Pritt so they should know quite a lot about adhesives! I have no hesitation in recommending Solvite Wallpaper adhesives to all would be decorators. Properly used it should give you a great finish.
| More Reviews |
 PASTED AND PAPERED.
Review of Solvite Wallpaper Adhesive by
thingywhatsit
Advantages: Does what it says it does.
Disadvantages: None.
...I keep a stock of Solvite because I know that it does what it is supposed to do, and in damp houses such as we have in Brittany, this is a superior glue that inhibits mould, and one that is simple to use.
Many people make the mistake of not reading instructions for mixing and end up with a lumpy consistency. You know, mixing wallpaper paste is very simple. Measure the water, stir it til it is going around in circles, and then add the paste flakes, ...
...and a good consistency.
Solvite comes in a 15 roll sachet for £3.98 and as the majority of rooms are less than 15 rolls, this is a super economic way of buying paste as opposed to glues here which are sold in 5 roll packets at £3.50 a packet.
I find that the paper slides into position easily with this paste, after a good preparation of the walls, and that it sticks right to the edges if care is taken when pasting the paper. The paste is ready to ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
| Value for Money |
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| Quality |
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very helpful
21.12.2003
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Paste for a job I hate.
Review of Solvite Wallpaper Adhesive by
mumsymary
Advantages: good bonding
Disadvantages: I hate wallpapering.
...cash left) we will use solvite wallpaper paste made by Henkel adhesives.. This paste is available in my favourite store (B&Q) as well as many other D I Y shops.
I expect we will use the extra strong all purpose solvite. It comes in a bright yellow bag or box enough for 5, 20 or 30 rolls of wallpaper costing £2.18, £4.48p or £4.98p respectively.
This powder paste is mixed with water quickly and is ready to use in a couple of minutes.
This paste ...
...the need for that, as solvite is easy to mix. The tub costs 5.58 for a tub to do 5 rolls for a bigger tub to do 10 rolls its £9.98.
Solvite also make a pink wallpaper paste goes on pink so you can see where you put it and dries clear. I have not used this so I have no knowledge of its performance. This pink paste costs £3.98p for sticking 12 rolls.
Solvite also make pastes for sticking borders these are available in ready made form, in a small ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
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| Quality |
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very helpful
22.03.2004
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A Good pasting
Review of Solvite Wallpaper Adhesive by
milliemouse
Advantages: It does what it says on the box
Disadvantages: usual mess
...range of them.
Seeing solvite I remembered the adverts with the man attached to a board by his overalls whilst swinging from a helicopter and thought this was the stuff for me.
Not only did solvite do standard wallpaper adhesive but it also came in a number of different forms such as:
***** SOLVITE Extra Strong All Purpose *****
Ideal for all wallpapers. Extra strong for reliable, long lasting results. Smooth consistency for easy use. Mixes in ...
...all wall coverings.
***** SOLVITE Ready to Use Wallpaper Paste *****
No mixing or diluting required. Super smooth, easy to spread. Easy slide for perfect pattern matching. Latest paste technology for all wallpapers.
***** SOLVITE Super High Performance *****
for hanging all luxury and heavyweight wall coverings. Ideal for high temperature and humidity variations. Prevents edge curl. Added polymers for extra strength.
***** New Product Development ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful |
| Value for Money |
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| Quality |
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very helpful
10.08.2002
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This product has not yet been reviewed. 
