I'm stripping some wallpaper... well, to be accurate, it's 2 -3 layers of wallpaper (from before I bought the house). The trouble is, the last layer is proving really difficult to remove
It's a shiny, non-porous surface that won't seperate from it's backing paper. Therefore my usual method of soaking with a sponge and then scraping it off isn't working as well as usual.
At the moment I'm having to soak, scrape around the edges, remove a bit and expose more backing paper, soak that, scrape, removing a bit more etc.
At this rate I'll still be doing it in a months time!
Anyone have any better suggestions? (apart from knocking down the wall - I have toyed with the idea!)
Thanks,
Paul.
2006-09-05 03:13:58 · 27 answers · asked by hastetothewedding 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
a little elbow grease never hurt anyone. Really I don't know try watching one of those home improvemnet shows or pay someone to do it for you.
2006-09-05 03:16:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
you can try a steamer. This method does wonders for the paint underneath, especially if the drywall was never primered before painting. I'd do this as a last resort only.
You can also try the chemical wall paper remover (Diff is the name?) Just go to the local home improvement store. You can by a scoring tool (a Paper Tiger I think it is called), a scraper, the chemical, and some brushes. It works OK. If you can seperate the facing from the back paper, it works great. If you can not, it still works, but just OK
2006-09-05 03:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by Slider728 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw oh HGTV that they mixed liquid fabric softener and water (for a multi-layer mess) in a large pesticide sprayer (2-gal container with long hose and nozel) and sprayed the walls with it. I've seen those containers, and they're only a few bucks at HD or Lowes. Could be better than a hand-pump sprayer if you have to go that route. I think the ratio was 1:2, respectively. Maybe you can search their website to confirm. I've seen the steamer too, but that seemed to be less than successful. Can you just put a texture paint over it? I know that sounds cheesy, but removing wp is a true buzz-kill. GL
2006-09-05 03:21:58 · answer #3 · answered by Katyana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hot water in a spray bottle... a plastic spatula (the kind you use to fry) and a cheap bottle of fabric softner. This should penetrate that stubborn plasticy wallpaper better than plain water.
This works wonders. I took down 3 room of wallpaper with this. You spray, let soak in, and scrape or peel off paper like magic. Use half softner and half hot water. Let me know how it works for you!!
2006-09-05 03:18:51 · answer #4 · answered by chapina 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a paint sprayer works great (power painter)harbor freight sells one for $10 to soak the wall use hot but not scalding water and spray all the walls wait 5 to 10 minutes and spray again, you may need to use the serrated wheel tool to make holes in the paper if the backing won't separate, they sell a paper remover called diff but the hot water works the same
2006-09-05 03:25:41 · answer #5 · answered by Joe M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disclaimer: I've never tried this with wallpaper, but it works with paint. You might try using a heat gun and follow with a scraper. They're available at Sears, Lowe's, HD and the like and usually come in two-heat configurations. I'd recommend trying it at low heat first.
But heat guns have a multitude of uses, so if you have to buy one and you find it doesn't work you haven't wasted the money.
2006-09-05 03:34:05 · answer #6 · answered by canesmojo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had the same problem last time we moved and a wallpaper steamer did the trick! Most people have one so save yourself the cash and borrow a mate's. Or spend ur cash and buy or hire one!! Or..... alternatively.... leave the stubborn lil timewaster (Im talking about the wallpaper!) and hang a picture over it! Haha!!
2006-09-05 03:26:59 · answer #7 · answered by **Holly** 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try using hot water and liquid fabric softener in a bottle. Shake it and spray liberally. Let it set for about 10-15 minutes and it should scrape off pretty easily.
2006-09-05 03:17:08 · answer #8 · answered by shelley821291 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am about to face the same fate myself and I was hoping that a steamer would work!
Be careful though. You could end up removing plaster too, which means your have to put new lining paper up too.
Decorating sucks. Good luck!
2006-09-05 03:16:59 · answer #9 · answered by Wafflebox 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you could rent a wallpaper steamer or get a wallpaper scorer which you run over the wall and it puts tiny holes in paper and then take water and fabric softner and mix it together and put that on the paper... the fabric softner helps loosen the glue
2006-09-05 03:22:36 · answer #10 · answered by CJM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the bottom wallpaper is really old, the glue won't re-hydrate very fast, if at all...We used a belt sander with not-too-coarse grit paper and had fantastic results....however, there was a ton of dust generated.
2006-09-05 03:22:39 · answer #11 · answered by Professor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋