HELP

[Angel]

You would think after this long I would know where in the hell to post this thread! But since I am unsure, I'm putting it here.

I need tips, ideas, suggestions any interaction on how to remove wallpaper!!!I am in the process and I am having success but it seems so ssllllllllllooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww!
Isn't there a quick painless way????

[theusername]

Right click. Properties. Desktop. I think you can figure it out from there.

[Bill O'Rights]

How are you going about it now?

[Tholo]

wait....do you mean real wall paper? or computer wall paper?

[VitaminH]

Have you googled it? I did and this was the first hit:


How to remove wallpaper

[Lebell]

Originally posted by Tholo
wait....do you mean real wall paper? or computer wall paper?

She means the real kind, not the virtual.


No idea, I'd google it or head over to Home Depot and ask.

[Stare At The Sun]

(something like this would probably go in the how to section next time)

However, you can usually buy something that will loosen it up, they come in thick goo type stuff.

[Fremen]

There are heat guns you can use to loosen the glue, then just scrape the paper away.

[paddyjoe]

Most home improvement centers (Lowes, Home Depot) rent steamers and are happy to tell you the best way to use them.

Of course, like a dope, I wouldn't of had to write this if I had read VitaminH's post above

Good luck, and when you're done, bring it over to my living room.

[Crack]

Originally posted by theusername
Right click. Properties. Desktop. I think you can figure it out from there.

HAHAHA NERD! It's ok, that's what I thought of first too...

[Charlatan]

Steamers and scrapers
Nasty caustic wallpaper remover and a scraper
Heat guns and a scraper

...the key word is scraper.

unless you are lucky enough to either a) have very old wallpaper that just peels off or b) you are tearing down the walls

[Angel]

Well, I am using one of those tiger things that abrades the very top surface of the wallpaper just enough to allow moisture in and get underside wet. I also borrowed an industrial steamer from a friend and that is helping out a lot. I didn't want to use nasty gooy chemicals if I could avoid it. That seems more mess and work to me. I think I may have picked the most difficult section in my whole house to begin! At least I HOPE I did! I did a small section in my bedroom and it was a breeze...hopefully the whole room will go like that.
The previous owner loved wallpaper at one time and she has it in EVERY room in this house except the living room. The kitchen will be the most difficult to do as it is not only big but the full walls are papered not just the lower half with a chair rail.

Thank you everybody for your help! VitaminH...I'll go check out that site and see what help I can get from there too. Any fresh ideas or helpful hints will be wonderful!

[J.R.V.A.]

Put up paneling HEHE

[Astrocloud]

Why not just wallpaper over it?

[Cynthetiq]

scaper and lots of PLAIN WATER...

use the TIGER scorer or even just some razor blades to score the wallpaper and then use a sponge soaked in water. Apply sponge to wall until wallpaper soaks thru. Start at the top of ceiling and let the water run down the wallpaper. How will you know you have enough water and it's ready? It will peel off in BIG SHEETS.

It takes about 30 minutes to soak through.

There is no need for chemical peels or steamers.

I've done this several times and each time it works like a charm and I alone can finish a large 10 x 13 room in just under 4 hours.

[kazoo]

After scoring with the Paper Tiger™, I use a product called DIF™ that is diluted with hot water and applied with a sponge. It still takes time, but is a little quicker, in my opinion, than plain water.

Think of wallpaper removal as getting a half-ton of horse manure out of your basement: If you do it yourself, it is a time-consuming crappy job, but the only alternatives are hiring someone to do it for you or leaving it there.

[fhqwhgads]

I tried the Paper Tiger and I was not happy with the results. All that did was make it so the paper came off in tiny strips instead of full sheets.

I pulled off the top "glossy" layer of paper, and then applied warm water to the paper backing that was left. I used a putty knife to slide the paper backing off the wall, and cleaned up any residual glue with a sponge.

[MSD]

Use the steamer and a putty knife. Been doing it since I helped my parents remove paper when I was 8, and it'll be tough to convince me that there's a better way. If you don't have a steamer, use a reversible wet/dry shop vac to spray a mist of hot water (hottest the tap water gets) onto the wall. Combine that with something to perforate it and you're all set.

[Angel]

Originally posted by Cynthetiq
I've done this several times and each time it works like a charm and I alone can finish a large 10 x 13 room in just under 4 hours.

And you will be at my house when?

Thanks everybody for the advice.
It turns out I started in the ONLY room that the previous owner used additional glue! Go figure! Once in a different room, I used the Tiger and then soaked the wall with hot water from a spray bottle and it came off in complete sections with out any tears and left nothing behind and no wall damage! Woo hoo!
Now if only the rest will go so smoothly! Then it is paint, paint, paint.
After this experience, I will never, I repeat, NEVER put wall paper up on a wall!

[kazoo]

It probably wasn't additional glue, Angel but lack of sizing. When a wall gets a coat of a sealer sizing compound, paper removal is much easier. That's why I always use it, in case I'm tasked with removal!

Don't diss wallpaper, though. It can be more durable than paint, easier to clean, and obviously offers more decorating options than paint.

Good luck with your redecorate.

[agball]

Well, I had a simmilar situation when I purchased my home. To make matters worse the paper I was tying to remove was painted over. I worked on it for hours, using various chemicals with little success. I ended up paying a painter to come in and put a skim coat of spakle over it all it for a few hundred bucks. In the end it turned out great and was definately worth it as opposed to the labor time it would have taken me to remove.

[Angel]

So I just realized the other day that the wall paper in the kitchen (which is the room with EVERY wall completely coverd) was put directly onto the sheet rock. No coat of paint or primer or anything first. THAT is going to be a bitch to get off! Oh well, I certainly won't have any bored time on my hands!

[kazoo]

You have my condolences, Angel.

[Angel]

Originally posted by kazoo
You have my condolences, Angel.

Okay...THAT got a good chuckle out of me!
There is obviously NO easy solution to that one!