Things You'll Need:
- Commercial wallpaper-glue remover
- Putty knife
- Medium-grain sandpaper
- Latex-based primer
- Latex paint, tinted
- Drop cloth
- Small paintbrush
- Paint roller
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Step 1
Remove all of the wallpaper. Use commercial preparations that loosen wallpaper so it is easily removed from the wall. Many are gels that you apply to the top of the paper, soaking through to the glue, and making it gummy for easy peeling. Scrape off any remaining wallpaper that does not peel off in large chunks.
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Step 2
Remove glue residue. Use a putty knife to scrape glue from problem areas. A 4-inch putty knife works best--push it lightly against the wall in an upward motion, being careful not to cut into the plaster or sheetrock.
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Step 3
Sand the walls. Use a piece of medium-grain sandpaper to lightly smooth walls and remove any stubborn, remaining glue. Then, get rid of loose debris by brushing the wall. Cleaning beforehand makes your paint job look even better, since no one wants to see bumpy areas on the walls under the paint.
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Step 4
Apply a primer coat. A latex-based primer evens out the wall surface and prepares it for painting. It also seals the drywall or sheetrock, keeping it from soaking in too much paint in certain areas where it has been damaged from wallpaper application or removal. Use masking tape to cover areas you don't want paint to get onto, such as window trim and molding. Also, place a drop cloth on the floor to catch paint splatters.
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Step 5
Apply paint to the wall. A small brush is best for painting around moldings and trim, and also corners. Do these areas first, and then use a roller brush to paint the main surface of the walls. Walls that had wallpaper on them at one point may need more than one coat of paint, especially if the hue is dark. Touch up areas as needed.
