How to Skim Over Wallpaper

Drywall compound allows you to create a new, smooth wall.

Remodeling a room covered in wallpaper takes some planning and know how. Applying paint directly to the old wallpaper will allow the paper to show through and eventually peel ruining the project and wasting your time. The solution to this dilemma is to peel off as much of the wallpaper as you can, seal the wallpaper and the wall with a chemical, such as polyurethane, and skim the entire wall with drywall compound to essentially produce a whole new surface.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloths
• Screwdriver
• Painter's tape
• Newspaper
• Spray cans of polyurethane
• Palm sander loaded with fine grit sandpaper
• 6 -nch drywall knife
• Premixed drywall compound
• Drywall pan
• 12-inch drywall knife
• Sanding screens
• Rags
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

Instructions

1. Place drop cloths over the entire floor of the work area. Remove outlet and switch covers with your screwdriver. Put the covers and their retaining screws in a safe place until needed for replacement. Cover windows, open switches, open outlets, doors and trim boards with painter's tape and newspaper.

2. Pull the loose ends of the wallpaper with your hands to free them from the wall. Pull as much wallpaper from the wall as you can without damaging the wall. Spray a heavy coat of polyurethane onto the wallpaper that will be skimmed. Allow 6 hours for the polyurethane to dry completely. Smooth the polyurethane surface with the fine grit sandpaper on your palm sander.

3. Scoop premixed drywall compound from its bucket with your 6-inch knife. Fill the drywall pan 3/4 full of compound. Scoop some compound from the pan with your knife and smear it along the corners and outer edges of the wall(s). Apply a smooth 1/8 inch coat of compound to your outline.

4. Apply a 1/8 inch coat of compound to the remaining area of the wall(s) with your 12-inch drywall knife. Work from the top of the wall to the bottom; take your time, and make the surface as smooth as possible. Allow the compound to dry for 12 hours. Fill any cracks, gaps or holes in the new surface with fresh compound and allow the repairs to dry for 12 hours.

5. Smooth the compound with sanding screens. Wipe the dust from the walls with clean rags. Wash and dry your equipment. Pick up your drop cloths and clear the work area.

Tips & Warnings

• Fans will speed up the drying time of polyurethane and drywall compound.

• Safety glasses and a dust mask are necessities when sanding or when applying polyurethane or drywall compound.

References

• This Old House: How to Finish Drywall