How do I remove really old wall paper?

Question

The wall paper is only a detailing so there isnt much of it. But when I tried to remove it, it wouldnt budge. I dont want to buy expensive equipment for such a small amount. Any home remedy suggestions?

Answer 1

I have just completed redecorating my own bedroom. I had 13 year old wallpaper on my walls that was prepasted and then extra paste was put on to keep the wallpaper up. It was quite a task to take it down, but I perservered and love the result. Tortuga Teal paint on the walls and Buttery Soft yellow on the ceiling. Ahhh!!! A labor of love!!!

Here's was I used:
Tiger Perforating tool--roll it around the walls to make tiny holes in the paper.
Hot water in a spray bottle-Spray in small sections, let it sit for a a few minutes then scrape
5 in 1 tool-I found this little thing at Target back in they painting supplies. It did a really good job. It's like a puddy knife but it's got another point on it that you can use to slice the paper in the corners around trim, etc.
Patience--Lots of it!!! It's hard work, but once it's complete it is so rewarding. I take so much pride in my bedroom knowing that I did it all myself.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Stripping with Water
For this job, you need a liquid stripper concentrate. Mix with hot water according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply the mixture to your walls with a broad brush or a sprayer. Work from top to bottom a section at a time. Do not try to tackle such a large area that the paper dries before you have a chance to remove it.

Let the paper soak for a few minutes; then start stripping it away with a scraper.

Sometimes,you will find old paper that just will not absorb water. When this happens, scuff the surface with coarse sandpaper or a scoring tool to allow the water to soak into the paper. Once it is thoroughly soaked, apply the wetting agent twice more and let it soak for 30 minutes. You will know it is ready when you can scrape off pieces with your fingernail.

Remember to wear gloves and goggles since you are dealing with chemicals.


Steam Removal
The last resort for removing wallpaper is to steam-strip. This job is strenuous because you must steam and strip at the same time. You might want to ask a friend for help.

A steamer uses boiling water to soften the glue between the wallpaper and the wall. If you are removing vinyl-coated wallpaper with a steamer, you still have to use a scoring tool to punch holes in the paper so the steam can reach the glue.

Rent a steamer instead of purchasing one since this is not a job you will do very often. Carefully read the manufacturer's directions, as they may vary from machine to machine. Basically, the process works this way:

Make sure the power is off.


Pour warm water into the reservoir.


Turn on the machine and wait for the water to boil.


With your goggles and gloves on, place the stripper's steam pad firmly on the wallpaper for about 30 seconds. Move the pad and you should see loose paper. Remove the paper with a scraper.

another site with pictures: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/interiors/wallpapr/remove/strip.htm

Answer 3

go to sherwin williams and get a gator it has 2 little spur wheels that perforate the paper cost is about 10 bucks and also buy some wallpaper rremover or solvent it mixes with water after perfing the paper apply remover with a thick nap roller really soak it then let it work once saturated paper lifts off very easily if paper rips wait a little longer its supposed to come off easily and if its tearing then the solvent has not had time to finish working yet this stuff works great make sure to only use wallpaper remover it is water soluble and regular solvent used in this manner would be a disaster no thinner or spirits should ever be used in this manner the older the paper is the better the remover will work good luck

Answer 4

For a better finish it's always best to remove the old paper before re-papering. Preparation is the most important part of producing a good finish. I would recommend hiring a steamer to remove the old paper as it will take half the time. You will need to 'size' the walls first with a weaker solution of walpaper paste to give a good backing to the pasted wallpaper when hanging it. Just follow the mixing instructions on the back of the paste mix.

Answer 5

you need three things--any home improvement store has it and all of it will make it fast and easy for about 20 bucks.--you need the scorer--its a round thingy that has little wheels that will score--put little holes in the paper(this way the paper remover dif will penetrate)--you roll it all over the paper.--then buy a product called dif--d i f---follow the directions and use very warm water, and spay it on satutae it good,use a sponge but a misty spray bottle thats clean will work better--less water on the floor if u use a sponge its a messier.--in a about 15 minutes--you use a putty knife and take it off.--do a section at a time ok--other wise you will be re-wetting if it dries--you can score everything before hand though.--by the way u wanted a home remedy?--fabric softener--but u need that scorer thingy regardless-otherwise the solution wont penetrate.--but dif is cheap enough--ive done it and it works--fact!

Answer 6

Hi
We just removed wallpaper from our kitchen and used an absolutely wonderful product called "E-Z OFF" wallpaper remover, sold by our local wallpaper store ($12.95 - removes up to 900 sq ft). Company 1-800-909-5430. Co. name - Yellow Rose Enterprises, Catlettsburg, Ky 41129. Mix in spray bottle with very hot water. Let stand 5 minutes. No need for perforation of the paper. Made removal a snap.Wallpaper pulled off in sheets w/o scraping.
DC

Answer 7

In your local hardware store or even a Walmart, you can buy a spray bottle that is meant to remove wallpaper. it comes in a sprayer similar to what a Windex bottle looks like.
You spray the liquid on the walpaper, let it soak for about 5 to 15 minutes, then use a scraper or putty knife to scrape off the wallpaper. Most of it comes rifght off and you have to sometimes apply more, but it works great. Make sure you have a window open, though.

Answer 8

I don't know if this works but...The lady that owns my local hardware store told me to use vinegar and hot water. I bought some wallpaper remover off of someone on eBay and it worked great. It took the wallpaper down in sheets. I just went to eBay and I don't see it listed on there, sorry. It smells like Downy fabric softener so I'm guessing that's what is in there. I got the water super hot and wore those yellow kitchen gloves and the heat of the water didn't bother me at all. DON'T SPRAY IT ON!! It will not get absorbed. You have to rub it in with a rag, I used on old kitchen washcloth. Good Luck!!

Answer 9

A heavy soda like coca-cola or pepsi. The acids in the soda will eat through the paste.

Apply liberally with a sponge and rub into the wall paper. Ensure it is saturated and then after a short while it will peel off.

Answer 10

you could use what is called a scorer and there is some for wall paper spray get remover that you can put on after you use scorer just follow directions on back of bottle. Good to use if not that much wall paper to remove cheap too. little bit of work..