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japple

(10,317 posts)
Tue Jan 13, 2015, 05:39 PM Jan 2015

Wallpaper removal advice needed. I have a bathroom that was wallpapered

10 years ago. It is prepasted wallpaper from Home Depot. My SIL said to use ammonia, but I don't think I could stand that even though it is a Jack/Jill bathroom, but very small in size. I have read (on the old DU site) to score the paper and then use fabric softener to loosen the adhesive. I've also seen advice that said to score the wallpaper and then use vinegar. Does anyone have 1st hand experience? I promise to never use wallpaper again, so help me dog.

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Wallpaper removal advice needed. I have a bathroom that was wallpapered (Original Post) japple Jan 2015 OP
It may be stippable ... GeorgeGist Jan 2015 #1
Here's the easiest way ... Scuba Jan 2015 #2
I did this job a few years ago. Renew Deal Jan 2015 #3
We always did this: Adsos Letter Jan 2015 #4
This is the method I used in my bathroom. Lugnut Jan 2015 #8
I had 100% success with this... lamp_shade Jan 2015 #5
Garment steamer A Little Weird Jan 2015 #6
This is the other method I've heard about Renew Deal Jan 2015 #7
Get the scorer from a hardware store Warpy Jan 2015 #9
I've used both a steamer and the DIF gel. Thor_MN Jan 2015 #10

Renew Deal

(82,928 posts)
3. I did this job a few years ago.
Tue Jan 13, 2015, 05:52 PM
Jan 2015

Wallpaper in the bathroom. I hated doing it. I used Dif Gel Wallpaper remover. It was torture, but it worked and it's better than using vinegar.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-32-oz-DIF-Gel-Wallpaper-Stripper-Spray-2466/202911113

Adsos Letter

(19,459 posts)
4. We always did this:
Tue Jan 13, 2015, 06:02 PM
Jan 2015

Duct tape some plastic along the base board to catch any liquid mess (be careful, as the plastic can get slippery as it collects the gunk)

Score the paper. They make a Paper Tiger specifically for this, or you can lightly drag the toothed edge of a handsaw across the surface.

Purchase some of the wallpaper remover available at local paint store, or big box store.

We used to apply it with a Hudson sprayer, but a large (4&quot paint brush will work.

Hopefully, the paper hanger had the walls sealed with an oil base primer before installing the paper. If so, take a 4 or 6" taping blade and scrape the dampened paper off the wall.

Again, if the surface underneath the paper was sealed beforehand, be sure to take a damp sponge and thoroughly rinse with clear water to remove any residual wall paper paste as the water in latex paints will re-wet residual glue/paste, and can cause adhesion problems or alligatoring.

If you want to take the extra step: when the wall is thoroughly dry, reprime it with something like Gardz, which will ensure a tight surface. You don't have to be as careful to get all the paste off if you take this step.

Is the paper face smooth or surfaced (flocked, etc.)? I ask because if the paper is tight to the wall you can prime it with a quick-dry oil base primer and then texture or paint over that substrate. I would avoid latex primers because of the chance of the water penetrating the paper, re-wetting the glue, and causing bubbling, decreased adhesion, etc. If the original surface wasn't primed before papering then this might be your best option.

lamp_shade

(15,092 posts)
5. I had 100% success with this...
Tue Jan 13, 2015, 06:29 PM
Jan 2015

The outer paper layer usually comes off with just a good water soak. The problem is that the gooey pasty stuff is still on the wall and trying to get it off is nearly impossible. Make a solution of tsp (trisodium phosphate) and water and apply or spray on the wall. Wait a few minutes. You'll be amazed at how easily that gooey stuff strips right off clean as a whistle.

A Little Weird

(1,754 posts)
6. Garment steamer
Tue Jan 13, 2015, 07:00 PM
Jan 2015

I used steam to loosen the wallpaper and then it just pulled off. Well, about 90% of it pulled off and I went behind with a plastic scraper to get the rest. But I don't have much experience - just a border and one wall in one room.

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
9. Get the scorer from a hardware store
Wed Jan 14, 2015, 04:33 PM
Jan 2015

and soak the paper down with water and fabric softener. That combination does the best of anything I've ever tried. Depending on whether it's paper or vinyl, it should come off quite easily once the water has soaked through.

Vinegar and ammonia don't work.

ETA: My experience was with old wallpaper in Boston and with a wallpapered trailer here in NM. I don't know which was worse since trailer wallpaper is heat set.

 

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)
10. I've used both a steamer and the DIF gel.
Mon Jan 19, 2015, 06:29 PM
Jan 2015

I prefer the steamer. The Dif Gel is messy and doesn't always work.

Oh, and pray for all you are worth that they sealed the drywall before hanging the paper.

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