Removing Wallpaper

how do you do it? I tried to use a steamer and scraper to get the paper off but after about 3 hours I didn't even finish one wall! There are about 3 layers of different paper on the walls! Any suggestions?

Re: Removing Wallpaper

Hi We took off three layers in June-it is a terrible job--First you need to score your old wallpaper--you can buy a wallpaper scorer at Ace or Home DEpot.Then you need to get DIFF-they sell it at ACE and Home Depot as well--you spray it on-my friends husband had a powerful sprayer-which helped alot-so you maybe should ask about something that is more powerful than a squirt bottle--so anyway--you spray, you have to let it sit for a bit and scrape off-It takes a while but it works!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!
Let me know if you need any more help

Re: Removing Wallpaper

See I didn't have any luck with Dif-we bought a steamer it was about $40 but it saved my life!

Re: Removing Wallpaper

We didn't have 3 layers only one but they didnt use a primer. My DH's uncle is a painter and he said to peel off the top layer of wall paper so the backing would still be on the wall and then score the lining and and then spray the wall with warm water and white vingear. I let it sit for about 10 minutes and itwas so much easier to take it off. It took me about a day to take everyting off in our stairway landing. Just be careful not to spray to much of anthing on the walls because you dont want to saturate the actualy dryway just the paper. I also agree on use a pump style strayer. They are inexpensive at home depot.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

Try 2 parts very hot water to 1 part pink liquid fabric softener (the real cheap stuff, usually the store brand in a one gallon jug). I soak down the wall with a large wallpaper sponge, scrape away and on real stobborn areas I use a steamer. It actually the same type of steamer many people use for cleaning.

Unfortunately, it is a very tedious job. It didn't surprise me that it has taken you three hours on one wall. I know, it stinks.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

Thanks for all of the responses! We have a steamer so I'm going to try the fabric softner thing today and if that doesn't work I'll make another trip back to Home Depot to buy that Dif stuff.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

Many people have said that Dif doesn't work.

Fabric softener, a steamer and vinegar all seem to work. You got softener instr. above, here's vinegar:

How to Remove Wallpaper

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You won't know how hard - or easy - removing that old wallpaper will be until you try. Here are a few guidelines to help you tackle the job.


Steps:
1. Move furniture away from the walls and cover the floor with drop cloths.

2. Pick a corner or an edge of the wallpaper and try to peel it off using your hands, a putty knife or a wallpaper scraper. Some papers are designed to simply peel off.

3. If the paper doesn't peel off, or if the pattern comes away but the backing remains, score the paper lightly using a razor blade or a wallpaper-scoring tool. Be careful not to cut into the drywall or plaster underneath.

4. Apply plain water, water mixed with a mild household soap, or a commercial solution of a wallpaper remover to the wall using a paint roller, squirt gun or large sponge. Saturate the wall several times if necessary; the paper will absorb the water until the glue begins to loosen.

5. Alternatively, rent or buy a wallpaper steamer. Take care - steamers get very hot.

6. Try again to pull the paper off with your hands. You might still have to use a scraper or putty knife, however.

7. Wash away as much of the glue as possible, until you are down to the original painted or primed wall. You might have to use a heavy-duty scouring pad. Wait until the wall is dry and use sandpaper to sand off what remains of the paper, backing or glue.

Tips:
If the wallpaper resists your efforts, sand it with very coarse sandpaper (50, 60 or 80 grit).


Warnings:
Wallpaper removers can be caustic and the fumes can irritate your lungs. Wear gloves, long pants and sleeves, safety goggles, and a hat, and ventilate the room well.


Tips from eHow Users:

A little bit of soap by eHow Friend
I almost burned my face when I tried to steam the top of the wall with the wallpaper steamer. I got a small spray bottle and with a little soap and water, I removed the wallpaper. I went to Home Depot and bought a large spray bottle. It took me less time to do three walls with the soap and water than it took to do one wall with the steamer.


Small foam paint rollers by eHow Friend
I have purchased a steamer at Lowe's ($50) and it worked well. However, I found that hot water and vinegar in a small bucket (1 part water, 2 parts vinegar), and applying it with a small foam paint roller worked the best. Less dripping than with a spray bottle, and you can cover more area quickly and repeatedly. I used a plastic skimmer blade, but will definitely try the nylon pot scrubber.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

I had someone do it professionally- he used something called do-it.
a spray on solution.
then he used a scraper on it- no steam.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

We used Dif, a scourer, a scraper and elbow grease. It really helps if you sponge down the walls with water.

It took us 4 hrs to remove the paper in a 8 x 5 bathroom.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Re: Removing Wallpaper

We used dif....and many paople with scrapers.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

If I ever bought a house with wallpaper I'd definitely hire someone to remove it! After spending almost 16 hours trying to get some off, I wouldn't care how much it would cost!

Re: Removing Wallpaper

We just removed the wallpaper from our dining room and luckily it was not too bad for us. We had only one layer to remove and most of it came off pretty easily. We used Dif and a scraper on some difficult parts. Just be very careful when spraying your walls with anything. If you soak them too much it might ruin the dry wall. I don't think you will have this problem, though, with three layers to dig through. Good luck! It is a very long and tedious process.

Re: Removing Wallpaper

I removed one layer in our bedroom rather easily. The paper came off in sheets and all that was left was the backing and the glue. I soaked sections of the wall with warm water and white vinegar and then used a spackle knife to slide the backing off. While the vinegar removed the backing it didn't do much for the glue...so I used DIF and warm water and the same spackle knife to scrape off the glue.

While it appeared that the glue was all removed we still wound up using an oil based primer (BM Fresh Start) just in case.

We were lucky in that the walls were primed beneath the wallpaper. Our guest BR is another story - 3 layers and no prime For this job I'm going to score the walls with the Tiger tool and rent a steamer. Afterwards I plan on washing the walls with DIF...and again, using an oil based primer. Thankfully the study only has one layer and a primed wall beneath it

Good luck - it's a tedious job but well worth it in the end.

edited for spelling

Message edited 8/22/2006 9:22:45 AM.