Removing Glue From a Wallpapered Ceiling
Wallpaper removal is a dirty job. Sometimes even the most tried and true methods of removal prove fruitless when the glue that secures the wallpaper just won’t give in. If you have finally managed to remove all of the wallpaper from the ceiling above your head and notice sections of glue lingering, the work is not over. You must now enter phase two, which is going to involve a whole lot of scraping. Don’t be discouraged --hot water and vinegar are your friends. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Hot water
- 3-gallon pump sprayer
- Tarps or old sheets
- Old clothes
- Goggles
- Plastic paint scraper
- Soft cloths
- Soft towels
Instructions
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Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and hot water in a 3-gallon pump sprayer. Cover the floor beneath the ceiling with tarps or old sheets -- this may get messy.
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Slip on a pair of old clothes and a pair of goggles to protect your eyes. Climb your ladder. Saturate the glue with the vinegar and hot water mixture.
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Give the vinegar and hot water at least 30 minutes to work its magic. It is normal for the mixture to drip from the ceiling, so do not be alarmed -- that is what the tarps are for.
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Use a plastic paint scraper to scrape the glue from the ceiling.
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Wipe the ceiling clean with clear water and a soft cloth after scraping. Buff the ceiling dry with a soft towel.
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Tips & Warnings
Take breaks every now and then, stopping when your arms become tired from working above your head.
Always start with the tool that will cause the least amount of damage, working your way up if necessary. Start with a plastic scraper, which is less likely to mar the paint on the ceiling. Move up to a metal scraper if the plastic scraper is not doing the job. Keep in mind that you may need to repaint the ceiling after using the metal scraper.
Do not forget to wear the goggles. If the vinegar solution drips into your eyes, it will burn. If this happens, flush your eyes immediately with cool water for 15 minutes. If burning persists, see your doctor.
