Is there an easy way to remove wallpaper that has been painted over?

Question

It's any older wallpaper, very thin.

Answer 1

There seem to be as many answers to your question as there are people answering it. Below are three references you may find helpful. We regularly refer to hgtvpro.com and diynetwork.com for our remodeling questions. Everyone seems to agree that it will take a combination of scoring the paper with either a razor or wallpaper scoring tool, soaking the paper with water and vinegar or water and fabric softener, pulling off the old paper and scraping off the residue with a scraper or putty knife, and sanding down what remains of the glue. Sounds like a big job! Good luck!

Answer 2

You may well be able to remove it just like it was never painted.

I put warm slightly soapy water in a spray bottle and I always start at the top. Get a little corner loose and start spraying under the edge of the paper. Spray, soak, peal, pull gently, spray, soak, peal, pull gently and keep on going. One strip at a time.

If you can do it in full strips it is much easier than pieces. If you do pieces it will drive you crazy. It does not take expensive supplies other than a spray bottle. Maybe a wide putty knife to slip under the edges.

PATIENCE IS THE KEY. After you get it all down, YOU MUST SCRUB THE WALLS BEFORE PAINTING. OR THE PAINT AND THE GLUE CAUSE UGLY, BUMPY PROBLEMS.

I had a painter that had to repaint one room 4 times because it was not scrubbed.

Answer 3

Possibly need to use a steam machine. Or the old fashion method is to use vinegar and hot water mixture in a spray bottle. Soak the entire wall and let set for a short time. You should be able to scrape the painted paper off. If there is no sheet rock under the paper you have to be careful not to dig into the wall. Some walls under paper especially older homes have this angel hair that breaks apart so I suggest you know what is underneith the paper first.

Answer 4

Short answer, NO. It is a very time consuming, messy job. Wallpaper strippers like DIF will help, but since it's been painted you'll have problems.

Answer 5

score the wallpaper, then wet it with a wet wash cloth. This helps the removal, but it is still a long process using lots of elbow grease

Answer 6

Im no expert but what about soaking your towel in paint thinner instead of water to not only wet the paper but thin the paint too? then maybe you could kill both problems at once....but Im no expert....

Answer 7

regrettably, there is not any ordinary thank you to get rid of it. elbow grease would be in touch. additionally some sweat & cursing & maybe some tears & in case you at the instant are not careful, some blood. you will could hire a steamer for removing wallpaper & a utility knife w/ a impressive style of spare sharp blades. you will could score the wallpaper & then stick to the steamer to the wall. the paper could be realtively ordinary to get rid of then.

Answer 8

yes spare hot vinegar water on it and a pettie nighf to pull off