Best way to remove a lot of wall paper? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

mikepeca18 · 11-27-2003, 08:28 AM

What does or did everyone use?

seethreepo · 11-27-2003, 08:36 AM

get something to "score" the paper 1st
rent \ buy a steamer and go to town.

if the paper isnt heavily textured you can wash it very well (use TSP) and then paint over it if removal is too big a job.

hotdogg · 11-27-2003, 08:38 AM

There is a product out there that that can be brushed on the wall paper (a thick paste) which will keep the wall paper wet and loosen the glue so that it can be scraped off easily...They also used to use wet newspaper, same principal wet the paper, stick it to the wallpapered wall long enough to loosen the wall paper glue...Then of course comes the fun and hopefully who ever hung the wallpaper originally applied it over sized or very well painted walls, otherwise its spackle time.
Good Luck!

fhqwhgads · 11-28-2003, 05:45 PM

I've tried to use one of those paper tigers... the thing that you run across the wall and it scores it so that the remover can get down to the glue, but it didn't work too well for me...

I found that if you pull the top layer of the wall paper off, exposing the actual "paper" (as opposed to the decorative layer), then apply any commercial wallpaper remover. Let it soak into the paper, then scrape off with a putty knife...

good times...

nirol · 11-29-2003, 07:16 PM

I agree with fhqwhgads,
I find those cutting wheels make all the wall paper come off in small pieces.
I have found the best way is to find an edge or corner and pull off the top layer, leaving the paper backing. Soak this with Hot water with a little dishwashing soap mixed in, then use a wide blade putty knife. After all the paper is removed go back over the surface with TSP or another cleaner to get all the glue off so the surface is ready for paint or new paper.

torgone · 11-29-2003, 07:26 PM

Having removed many square assloads of paper in my career, I can say the best method is a steamer. A steamer, patience, and a wide putty knife. ALL wallpaper paste is water-based, and will surrender to steam.

Adog · 11-30-2003, 08:28 PM

I have had good luck with the pasty stuff that you brush on, let set for a few min. then scrape off... You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes.....

Dibbler · 12-01-2003, 08:07 AM

The people who lived in our house before us must have loved tacky wallpaper so we removed rooms full of it. There is no easy way but I've found that, as stated before, try and remove the decorative layer first and use lots of hot water. The expensive wallpaper gels and liquids work but I've never seen them work any better than hot water so I think they are a waste of money. No matter what you use you'll be so sick of wallpaper that you'll never ever want any put up again for fear that you'll have to remove it someday. Good Luck...

Grouper · 12-02-2003, 01:13 PM

I concur with the steamer. It's a pain in the ass, but better than the alternatives.

Bobaphat · 12-03-2003, 01:41 AM

I have used a scorer and a steamer as well as a chemical peel and while they both worked, the steamer worked best

thingstodo · 12-07-2003, 04:23 PM

I agree with the steamer. We used the paste methods several times. Then, we got the roller thing to score it with. That just left a bunch of holes that had to be repaired before painting. The last time I tried a steamer - what a difference.

Wulf_Hunter · 12-08-2003, 09:44 AM

Last time I had to remove wallpaper. I used a spray bottle, warm water, and a scraper. Spray the water on let it set for a few minutes. Peel it off. If there's still paper left on, spray and scrape it off.

It can get messy but it gets the job done.

Azharen · 12-10-2003, 10:05 AM

I too agree with the steamer. They also make an enzime product that eats the glue but have to score the paper and use a sprater to apply the enzime. The combo of the two works wonders. Also don't forget to go over ther wall thoroughly and get all the loose off the wall. U don't want to paint of it as it will wrinkle the paint when it dries. Or leave bumps under new wall paper.

-Azh

llama8 · 12-14-2003, 07:22 AM

Most people I have spoke to have suggested that you remove the top layver exposing the backing paper then just soke this to remove the glue and scrape off it seems to work well.

All I've got to do now is learn how to hang new wallpaper!

11-27-2003, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
mikepeca18 Upright Location: Buffalo, NY	Best way to remove a lot of wall paper? What does or did everyone use?

11-27-2003, 08:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
seethreepo Addict Location: outer reaches of space	get something to "score" the paper 1st rent \ buy a steamer and go to town. if the paper isnt heavily textured you can wash it very well (use TSP) and then paint over it if removal is too big a job. __________________ rub it and see.

11-29-2003, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
nirol Crazy Location: South East US	I agree with fhqwhgads, I find those cutting wheels make all the wall paper come off in small pieces. I have found the best way is to find an edge or corner and pull off the top layer, leaving the paper backing. Soak this with Hot water with a little dishwashing soap mixed in, then use a wide blade putty knife. After all the paper is removed go back over the surface with TSP or another cleaner to get all the glue off so the surface is ready for paint or new paper. __________________ 'Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open one's mouth and remove all doubt. Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

11-29-2003, 07:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
torgone What's beyond psycho? Location: Still out there	Having removed many square assloads of paper in my career, I can say the best method is a steamer. A steamer, patience, and a wide putty knife. ALL wallpaper paste is water-based, and will surrender to steam. __________________ "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

12-03-2003, 01:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bobaphat whoopity doo Location: Seattle	I have used a scorer and a steamer as well as a chemical peel and while they both worked, the steamer worked best __________________ --size matters not-- yoda

11-27-2003, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
hotdogg Crazy Location: NYC Metro Area	There is a product out there that that can be brushed on the wall paper (a thick paste) which will keep the wall paper wet and loosen the glue so that it can be scraped off easily...They also used to use wet newspaper, same principal wet the paper, stick it to the wallpapered wall long enough to loosen the wall paper glue...Then of course comes the fun and hopefully who ever hung the wallpaper originally applied it over sized or very well painted walls, otherwise its spackle time. Good Luck!

11-28-2003, 05:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
fhqwhgads Junkie	I've tried to use one of those paper tigers... the thing that you run across the wall and it scores it so that the remover can get down to the glue, but it didn't work too well for me... I found that if you pull the top layer of the wall paper off, exposing the actual "paper" (as opposed to the decorative layer), then apply any commercial wallpaper remover. Let it soak into the paper, then scrape off with a putty knife... good times...

11-30-2003, 08:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Adog Tilted	I have had good luck with the pasty stuff that you brush on, let set for a few min. then scrape off... You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes.....

12-01-2003, 08:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dibbler Psycho Location: Initech, Iowa	The people who lived in our house before us must have loved tacky wallpaper so we removed rooms full of it. There is no easy way but I've found that, as stated before, try and remove the decorative layer first and use lots of hot water. The expensive wallpaper gels and liquids work but I've never seen them work any better than hot water so I think they are a waste of money. No matter what you use you'll be so sick of wallpaper that you'll never ever want any put up again for fear that you'll have to remove it someday. Good Luck...

12-02-2003, 01:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Grouper Crazy	I concur with the steamer. It's a pain in the ass, but better than the alternatives.

12-07-2003, 04:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I agree with the steamer. We used the paste methods several times. Then, we got the roller thing to score it with. That just left a bunch of holes that had to be repaired before painting. The last time I tried a steamer - what a difference. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

12-08-2003, 09:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
Wulf_Hunter Crazy	Last time I had to remove wallpaper. I used a spray bottle, warm water, and a scraper. Spray the water on let it set for a few minutes. Peel it off. If there's still paper left on, spray and scrape it off. It can get messy but it gets the job done.

12-10-2003, 10:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Azharen Insane Location: Queens, NY	I too agree with the steamer. They also make an enzime product that eats the glue but have to score the paper and use a sprater to apply the enzime. The combo of the two works wonders. Also don't forget to go over ther wall thoroughly and get all the loose off the wall. U don't want to paint of it as it will wrinkle the paint when it dries. Or leave bumps under new wall paper. -Azh __________________ To the True Warrior, Death is merely an Ally...

12-14-2003, 07:22 AM	#14 (permalink)
llama8 Crazy Location: Leicester, UK	Most people I have spoke to have suggested that you remove the top layver exposing the backing paper then just soke this to remove the glue and scrape off it seems to work well. All I've got to do now is learn how to hang new wallpaper!