[77 cruiser]

Doing a kitchen remodel, wallpaper has got to go.

 

[LeoP]

there is a tool that perforates the wall paper and a spray that helps unglue it so it can be stripped. Ask at your local home improvement center. Good luck.

 

[Tegguy]

Here you go:

 

[depley]

I t depends on the type and age of the wallpaper. Some are what you call stripable, in which case you can peel the top layer of the wallpaper off and it leaves the glue and soft paper which you wet then scrape off, if it is not stripable then you need the kit which includes a perforating tool and some paper that you soak and hang up over the wall paper, let it set for a while then you can peel the paper off. If it is really really old you might need to steam it, but that would be something like 40 year old stuff.

 

[ToocoolZ28]

If only it was that easy

 

[77 cruiser]

The one type I have I can pull the outer layer off, exposing the paper. Haven't got to the other yet.

 

[John in NC]

Oh it's a bad job, I took down 4 rooms of it in my 1968 brick ranch including two versions of wallpaper that had the foil inlay and some crazy designs... the other two were country plaid.

Also took out the sculpted shag wall to wall orange carpet over the hardwood floors too- what were they thinking!

First see if you can hand strip the bulk of the paper, peel up some edges and go to it. Even if you only get the top paper layer of the wallpaper off this is a good first step.
If it holds fast you are in for a lot of work (ask me how I know). If it comes off in sheets keep going until you get all you can off by hand and with spackle knives/ scrapers etc. What will be left is wallpaper backer and adhesive.

Get the "Paper Tiger" and wallpaper stripper (I used DIF) from the hardware store, score the wall with the paper tiger. Don't use a heavy hand, you don't want to damage the drywall underneath and have thousands of little holes in it to fill. Mix the stripper with hot water in a paint tray, use a paint roller and extension handle and soak the wall with the stripper solution. Wait a while, soak it again. You can also use a garden sprayer/ sponge but the paint tray trick works great, get a pack of those disposable cheap tray liners as this stuff makes a mess. Cloth dropcloths over plastic dropcloths, newspaper over plastic works too.

Start stripping with different spackle knives/ blades/ 5 in 1 paint tool/ whatever works. If you need to apply more stripper go for it, it's your friend.

Once you get the first round of wallpaper/ backer paper/ adhesive off you may have to go for round two to get off all the extra chunks of paper and adhesive.

Finish with a moist (hot water no stripper) sponge trying to get any additional goo or loose paper off. Rinse often.

When it's all dry sand away, use a sanding block... hopefully you didn't gouge too many holes in the drywall, and the wallpaper didn't pull any drywall paper/ chunks out- that sucks (again ask me how I know).

Spackle/ drywall compound- skim coat where needed, use a flashlight at a severe angle up the wall to see the spots that need it, then after the first coat is dry do the same flashlight trick to see spots that need it again.

Sand... again...

Repeat as needed...

Clean the wall and baseboard and trim, especially above doorframes that harbor all that sanding dust. Swiffer the walls, use a bench broom etc.

Prime, paint. Some folks like to prime the wall after all the paper/ adhesive removal before the first coat of drywall compound goes up then again before the finish paint, not a bad idea.

Prep prep prep... nobody will know the horror you went through when they see that silky smooth top coat of paint- HA!

Oh and wear a dust mask when sanding or you'll have horrible nasal issues, and if the house was built prior to 1978 lead based paint could be an issue. If the drywall was just finished/ spackled, never primed/ painted you shouldn't have to worry about lead based paint.

Good luck!

 

[Wheelhop]

two tips that I have used before. go to the store and get some TSP (tri sodium phosphate)
add to water and get the wallpaper and glue behind it wet.

also, get a steamer and apply steam to the walls.

 

[El Toro]

All above bud light and 4 freinds

 

[John in NC]

Yes bud-light and a few friends... couple pizzas... and Heavy Metal on the stereo all help tremendously.
Although the quality of work declines in direct proportion to the amount of beer (burp) dranken, drunken? HA!

(Edit- I've never used the steamer but worth a shot)

 

[wjspindler]

Walmart sells inexpensive steamers that work great, easy to control IMO they are worth the money. They speed up the process, good luck.

 

[ftrplt]

I will add to what John said, DO NOT use a heavy hand with the paper tiger unless you like putting down spackle and sanding. You can also use Downey Fabric Softner and hot water to loosen the paper instead of the commercial glue release. Lastly, I would suggest a plastic scraper vs the metal one due to the tendancy to get "heavy handed" when tired or frustrated. This only leads to dig-ins and more spackle work. HTH.
Dave

 

[Ken Hayes]

Wagner make a excellent steamer with 2 interchangable heads. I've used it in my house with excellent results. Cost is under $40.00 at Home Depot or Lowes. Also use plastic putty knives to scrap off the under layer. You wont be disappointed if you go this way.

 

[Andy69]

all bets are off if they put the wallpaper right onto the drywall. Best to just paint over it.

 

[77 cruiser]

It was put on over paint, the little bit I've done so far, some came off good some not so good.
Thanks for the tips so far.

 

[fastss396man]

I will never remove just the wall paper. It's such a pain in the a**. I've remodeled my main bathroom and a guest room that were covered in wall paper by removing the drywall down to the studs. I can redrywall plaster and paint faster than that wallpaper would come off!

 

[Kaizen]

If the paper has a shine to it use that tiger but as said gentle. I marked up my drywall and had to spackle it. If no shine go get a pump sprayer like in the garden. put hot water in and spray. drink a beer. spray again. repeat until a putty knife lifts off the wall. I used a little half gallon one with no hose. beware of all the water on the floor. towels. if the paper is over horsehair plaster and lathe circa 1930 game over. buy drywall.

 

[GonnaGetOne]

Best case scenario...........Pull off, wet down, & scrape off glue.

Worst case........................Had to remove rock all together....

It all depends what you've got on the wall......or haven't got on the wall....

I get paid to do it......Well not lately.....

Here's my Tip .......Pay some one....You'll be glad you did.. :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

Deejay

 

[firstchevelle]

I will never remove just the wall paper. It's such a pain in the a**. I've remodeled my main bathroom and a guest room that were covered in wall paper by removing the drywall down to the studs. I can redrywall plaster and paint faster than that wallpaper would come off!

And all the dam repairs that you have to do when the top layer of drywall peals! I am with you, I can do it cheaper and faster for the customer by yanking the drywall.

 

[66360horse]

clothes iron, hold it close to the wall and steam the paper, comes right off!