Wallpaper Removal

[Jeff]

Well we've been in our home about four years now and we are constantly being asked...so how long have you lived here now? This translates to when are you taking all the ghastly wallpaper down. I should take pictures and post them. Some of Hildi's stuff wouldn't look so out there. There is a point in the hallway where three different (all patterned) wallpapers come together.

I'd like to remove the stuff about 30-60 minutes a day at a time. So I either need to buy a steamer or use some other method. Know of a good steamer or another great method to rid ourselves of this stuff?

As a sidenote: The curtains are of the same pattern as the wallpaper and believe it or not they had furniture that was custom made in the same patterns as well. I will give them this, the stuff is expensive, high grade paper. But, man is it UGGGGGGLEEEEEEEE!!

[BevJ]

Oh I don't envy you...removing wallpaper is one of the nastiest jobs. However, I have found that good old fashioned water/vinegar does the trick. I've also found through experience, that pre-pasted wallpaper comes off much easier than paper you have to put paste on yourself. I guess you don't know what yours is, huh? Good luck!

Oh yeah...at least Hildi put those wine stickers on paper that was already on the wall (easier to remove, lol), could you imagine if she'd stuck them on a wall that just had paint on it?

[AnnW]

Are you opposed to priming over the wallpaper and then painting? I have done that with great success (some of the wallpaper in our house is original!!!)

My painters swear by just hot hot water. I have scored and then put that stuff (dap??) on it first, you just have to be careful you don't tear the sheetrock.

[Diane]

My dad was a painter/decorator by trade... and he used all kinds of wallpaper removers but he swore that using regular old hot water was just as good as any wallpaper remover they sold in the stores. Adding vinegar or 2 capfuls of fabric softner in a bucket (or spray bottle) of hot water might help it work better. Spray generously on the walls and give it time to soak in.. then scrape it off.

I had a friend who used her iron to remove her wallpaper... swore by it. LOL

Diane... :wave:

[imamama]

My step-mom is redecorating crazy! She uses some tool to poke small holes in the wall paper so the stuff (I think she uses actual wallpaper remover) can soak in behind the paper. Maybe that's what scoring is? Don't know for sure! Sounds like you've gotten some other really good advise. If you want me to as sm for specifics, let me know.

Ann - have you had any problems with peeling after priming and painting wall paper? Just curious for future reference!

[AnnW]

Amy..no, I haven't. I have done it in the kitchen and bathroom.
You use a latex primer, put on one coat, let it dry over night. Next day you use super glue to glue down any seams that may have come up, then put the next coat of primer on and let it dry overnight...then paint. I do think faux techniques work better over wallpaper cause their is some texture still left.

[Jeff]

Originally posted by AnnW
Are you opposed to priming over the wallpaper and then painting? I have done that with great success (some of the wallpaper in our house is original!!!)




Originally posted by AnnW
You use a latex primer, put on one coat, let it dry over night. Next day you use super glue to glue down any seams that may have come up, then put the next coat of primer on and let it dry overnight...then paint. I do think faux techniques work better over wallpaper cause their is some texture still left.

I've heard from many that they haven't had great success with this method. It shows seam lines, but it sounds like your method would work better with gluing between the primer coats. I also like the idea of a faux finish anyway. I might have to try a small area. That sounds like a heck of a lot more fun than removing all this nasty stuff.

[Marla]

In the past, I've seen paints do it either with hot water, or with a steamer

[imamama]

Originally posted by AnnW
Amy..no, I haven't. I have done it in the kitchen and bathroom.
You use a latex primer, put on one coat, let it dry over night. Next day you use super glue to glue down any seams that may have come up, then put the next coat of primer on and let it dry overnight...then paint. I do think faux techniques work better over wallpaper cause their is some texture still left.


Ah, very good ideas! Thanks! I'll file that away for later.... just in case I ever get around to buying a house :lol:
Thanks!

[AnnW]

Have fun!! You can even use one of those little seam rollers after you glue to make sure it lays flat.

[imamama]

Ever thought of writing a helpful hints book? :D