Should I apply lacquer over a wall papered with book pages?

Question

I just wallpapered my library with old book pages, and I'm worried that the wallpaper paste will eventually dry up and peel away from the wall. Should I apply a layer of lacquer on top of the pages?

Answer 1

I'd be tempted to cover them with a decoupage glue or mod podge. Polyurethane may work as well, but I'd test it by gluing some pages to a board and then coating them and waiting a couple of months to make sure it doesn't yellow or mess up the inks.

Answer 2

I covered a child’s chair in newspaper comics with mod lodge and it yellowed soon afterward. Could be newspaper or the mod Podge so better check first.

Answer 3

i would just spray with that sealer you use for drawings and paintings, from the hardware store. it shouldn't damage the walls and won't change the look one little bit, but it will make the paper much less prone to changes in appearance due to normal air moisture changes. nothing will last if the wall has moisture problems to start with. One wall as a feature is fair enough...but imho don't use on lamp shades or other objects, as it stops the feature being a feature. then it starts looking a bit trashy. also an improvement on your existing window covering will improve the perception of your feature wall. just my opinion and nothing to do with original question.