Log in

View Full Version : Paper on walls


shablue55
Oct 26, 2009, 09:56 AM
How to get wall paper off walls? It has been on for quite some time and would like to take it off so I can paint, also if there is oil based paint on now can I use latex over top and will I run into trouble later on?

ballengerb1
Oct 27, 2009, 11:51 AM
You can put latex ovr oil but not the other way around. To remove paper rent/buy a steamer or a Paper Tiger Amazon.com: Zinsser 2966 PaperTiger Scoring Tool for Wallpaper Removal Single Head: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DI7WP) and a paper removal soaking solution.

Clough
Oct 27, 2009, 03:07 PM
Hi, shablue55!

ballengerb1 is correct on all points. I would also recommend using a primer. When removing the wallpaper, I would first suggest just getting it as wet as you can with hot water from the faucet using a sponge to apply the water to the wallpaper. I would then wait a little while and use a sharp putty knife to see how easily the wallpaper comes off.

You can also try using a wet towel and applying steam to the wallpaper that way with an electric iron.

Before you go buying a bunch of stuff, those are the things that I would recommend trying first. It might just be that easy to remove the wallpaper.

Also, when removing the wallpaper, it's important not to put deep gouges or "scores" in it, because those will be likely to appear underneath a paint job if those types of scratches go into the actual wall surface.

Thanks!

arby808
Oct 29, 2009, 03:17 PM
First thing don't use the scoring tool on walls it puts holes in the surface of the wall, if your wallpaper willnot come off try a steamer and a sharp 4 or 5 inch drywall taping knife to scrape it off i.e. it still willl not come off you could try to put a light texture over the paper like a skip trowel a lot of time wall paper is not applied correct and they do not use sizing so the wall paper is stuck to the wall