Removing wallpaper

[ukheather]

What is the best way to remove wallpaper that has been painted over?

Thank you

 

[2scoops0406]

See here

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15627&highlight=

 

[ukheather]

Thanks, are there any other ways and without a steamer?

 

[breezer]

a steamer does make short work of it, have you considered hiring one?

 

[2scoops0406]

Thanks, are there any other ways and without a steamer?

Steamers only cost about £20 from a shed (DIY store). But alternatively if you like making a job harder, break up the surface as described in the previous link, then use hot water with a little detergent added, sponge that on the wallpaper, allow to soak in a little, and scrape, scrape, scrape repeat ad nauseam! Or buy or rent a steamer, really it'll save you a lot of time, plus there is always the possibility that you'll dig into the plaster when using excessive force in trying to get the paper off. Then you'll have to make good before painting or re-papering.

 

[ukheather]

Will I be able to paint on the wall after doing this or will it be in a mess?

Thank you

 

[2scoops0406]

After you have scraped the old paper off (go on buy a steamer!) which needless to say you will do carefully without gouging the wall underneath, then you need to wash the walls down with a hot sugar soap solution to remove the old wallpaper paste / size. After that, then make good any holes, and repaint. Job done.

It really is worth taking the time to prepare the walls, even though it's frankly quite a boring chore, the end result will easily justify the preparation.

Good luck.

 

[Acchillo]

I need to paint some painted wallpapered covered walls.

The wallpaper is nice and smooth, but covered in a ugly colour.

Do you recommend to paint over or to remove it and start from scratch?

acchillo

 

[Thermo]

that really is a personal choice down to you. If the existing paper is in good condition then theres no reason why you cant paint staright over it again. if its been painted with a matt paint it shouldnt be too hard to remove. theres a lot more work involved but a better finish if you remove it....over to you!

Thermo

 

[Acchillo]

Out curiosity, matt finish on walls is easier to remove than what exactly?

I guess walls are painted in silk or in matt (how do I get the difference by looking at a wall?)

 

[Thermo]

for some good foraken reason some people like to paint over their walls in gloss paint. now try getting that of if you want a lousy day...even better is stypolyte!!

 

[Acchillo]

Thermo, I am still slow......sorry

if I understood it correctly paint for walls are silk (more shiny) and matt (less shiny). Then there are solvent-based (old, easy but poor quality and toxic) and acrylic/water based paint (new, non toxic, washable).

What is gloss then?

 

[Thermo]

yes you are quite correct, but not everyone follows that rule! some idiots are known to use gloss coat for walls if they like the colour and the finish (ie the gloss you would use on your skirtings!) Some older paints had various different oil bases that can make them a bugger to steam through and shift

Thermo

 

[HandyJon]

When using a steamer don't keep the steam head in the same place too long otherwise you'll hear the plaster pop away from the wall meaning a repair job. Keep the head moving over a small area until the paper's been soaked. Don't think that you've got to keep the head in the same place to ensure the paper's soaked up loads of water till it peeling off by itself. Give the paper a bit of steam, let it soak in, then a bit more steam. Don't try and scrape it off straight away, give the paper some time to soak up the water.

 

[breezer]

not how i did mine, hold steam plate over area move steam plate to new area scrape wall paper off from area where steam plate was just now