The Handyman's Pocket Book: Wallpapering Over Match-Boarding

It is necessary when papering over match-boarding to use canvas or scrim because if the paper is hung directly on the boarding, the movement of the latter, due to atmospheric changes, is sufficient to split the paper.

The scrim may either be affixed to a framework, which is secured to the match-boarding, or it can be stuck with an adhesive.  The former process is to be preferred as the latter is messy and rather cumbersome where large areas have to be treated.  Where new scrim is to be used, a size made from about 1 lb. concentrated glue size to half a gallon of water is prepared and placed in a pail.  The scrim is steeped in this and wrung out fairly dry.  As an adhesive, a dextrine or rye flour paste, or alternatively, a paperhanger's prepared paste with the addition of half a pound of concentrated glue size, can be used and applied fairly liberally to the boarding.  The wrung-out scrim is rolled and applied, being stroked into place with a blunt broad knife or a pad of cloth soaked in size.  On drying the size contracts leaving the scrim taut.

Paper hanging follows normal practice on this foundation.  The essential is that the scrim should be firmly fixed and reasonably taut.

Another plan is to apply a lining paper horizontally first, lapping the joints an inch or so.