The Best Way to Remove Old Wallpaper
Old, outdated wallpaper can be a frustrating problem. It takes some effort to get it all off, and if you don’t have the right tools, wallpaper removal can mean endless scraping, bits of old paper sticking to the walls, and ultimately mediocre results. But there is a way to remove old paper from your walls once and for all and make your walls look like new again.
For this project you will need:
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A little wallpaper remover
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A little sandpaper
Gloves and a bucket will also come in handy.
What to prepare before removing wallpaper
Move all furniture away from the wall and turn off the power to lights and outlets in the room you are working on to protect them and also to avoid the risk of electric shock if the outlet or lighting circuits get wet. Cover outlets and switches with plastic or tape, and then put down a drop cloth to protect the floor.
Before you start, check what kind of wallpaper you have. If the paper comes off, you need to remove the top layer of paper and you don’t need to cut it before dousing it with the stripper. If it’s removable, you can skip all the other steps and just remove it from the wall using a little stripper if you have stubborn sticky stains. When peeling and gluing, you will need to see if it comes off into larger pieces. If it’s been sitting for a while, you may need to treat it the same way you would other types of wallpaper, as the heat and damage to the surface can make it difficult to peel off. If it is vinyl or paper, follow the removal instructions.
How to cut and remove wallpaper
You can then score the surface of the wallpaper by running the wallpaper scoring tool along the wall, piercing the paper so that the paint stripper can seep through. Be sure to go as far into nooks and crannies as possible to prevent the paper from sticking to the corners of the room and being difficult to remove. If your tool doesn’t reach the corners, you can use a utility knife or even a fork to reach there and make a few holes in the paper.
Once the surface is scratched, spray paint remover onto the wall, being careful not to apply too much to other nearby surfaces. If you prefer a less harsh method, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. This will help with some types of wallpaper.
The solution should be allowed to soak in for about an hour. To check if it’s time to clean, try pulling on a corner. If it comes off easily, you can begin removal. If not, wait a few more minutes or add more paint remover if the wallpaper is not completely saturated. If the remover is working, you should see the wallpaper begin to wrinkle and pull away from the wall in some places.
Once the paste begins to come off, tear the paper away from the wall by hand as much as possible. Use a scraper to work around areas where the glue may be a little thicker. The paper should now come off fairly easily, but if you still encounter areas where it is still firmly stuck, you can douse it again with the stripper and clean it again.
Remaining glue or small pieces can then be removed using a sponge and paint remover. Using the rough side of the sponge will help remove sticky beads of glue from the wall. You may have to repeat this part of the process several times to remove all the adhesive from the wall.
What to do after removing wallpaper
Finally, once the wall is dry, you can use sandpaper to remove any remaining tiny pieces of paper or rough stains. However, you should only do this step if you have walls older than 1978. If they are older, you should assume there is lead in the paint and avoid creating dust that can be inhaled through the lungs.
Once the walls are smooth, apply a primer to even out the color of the wall and seal it before installing new wallpaper or painting. Just make sure everything is completely dry before applying a coat of primer to the wall to ensure the paint dries evenly without streaking.