How to Remove Prepasted Wallpaper
Prepasted wallpaper requires removal to switch to painted walls or to install a new fresh color and pattern of wallpaper. The removal process seems intimidating, but with a few tools and a weekend, your walls will be a clean decorating slate. The removal process can be a little messy but is definitely a project that can be accomplished. The money saved by doing it yourself will pay for the new wallpaper or paint that you have been envisioning on the walls. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Dropcloth
- Plastic
- Paper Tiger
- Spray bottle
- Plastic scraper
- Sponge
- Fabric softener
- Dish-washing liquid
- Buckets
- Sandpaper
- Spackle
Instructions
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Remove as much furniture from the room as possible and cover any remaining items with dropcloths or plastic. Cover the floor with plastic. Remove the switch and outlet covers. Turn off all power to the room; water may get into the switches and outlets. Pull any nails or picture hangers off the wall.
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Score the wallpaper lightly with a Paper Tiger; pressing too hard may damage the underlying drywall. Spray the wallpaper with warm water using a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Work in sections of two or three sheets of wallpaper wide. Allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Grasp the wallpaper at the top and pull downward. Some or all of the paper backing from the wallpaper may remain. Spray any backing remaining on the wall with the warm water and allow time to soak. Scrape the backing off the wall with a plastic scraper. Use a sponge to wash the wall before the glue remaining on the wall dries.
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Wash remaining glue off the wall with warm water containing four tablespoons of fabric softener or a squirt of dish-washing detergent. Scrub the wall in a circular motion with a sponge. A sponge that has a scrubber side works well for this. Have a second bucket of warm water to rinse the sponge. Scrape any stubborn areas of glue with a plastic scraper. Change the water in the buckets often to avoid redepositing glue residue on the wall. Allow the walls to dry.
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Shine a light at an angle on the walls to check for any remaining glue. Use the warm water and the sponge to remove it, or the glue can be sanded lightly to remove. If the walls are being painted after removing the prepasted wallpaper, any glue remaining will show up as blotches or flat areas under the new paint.
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Wash the walls with trisodium phosphate and rinse well. Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves when using this product. Follow the mixing directions on the container. Allow the walls to dry and spackle any damaged areas and nail holes, sanding smooth. Wipe sanding dust off the wall with a damp cloth. The walls are now ready from priming and painting or installing new wallpaper.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not rush, allow the water to soak the paper to make removal easier
