Okay, so it's not one of the nicest
chores ever attempted, but sometimes, it's necessary. If you've
ever tried to remove wallpaper before, you know how difficult and
time consuming it can be, no matter how skilled you are at it. While
some people paint over wallpaper, you'll get the best results if
you take the time to properly remove old wallpaper and then prepare
the walls for paint.
Removing wallpaper can be either ridiculously
easy or extremely difficult. It will depend on the age of the wallpaper,
the products used to adhere it, and the skill of the person
who installed it in the first place.
So, put on some music, be prepared
to get a little dirty and even sweaty, and just start someplace.
If you can find a seam, start there. Here's how to get the job done
right:
1)Using a nail or pin, puncture holes
in the wallpaper at various intervals and locations, though
try not to damage drywall beneath it. You may have to go back and
fill in holes in the drywall with drywall mud or spackling paste
afterward.
2)Using hot water in a spray bottle
or wallpaper remover spray mixed with hot water, saturate one area
at a time. (Note: You can make your own wallpaper remover spray
by mixing 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water).
3)Allow the area to sit for about
10 to 20 minutes and then, using a paint scraper or putty knife
with sharp edges, tuck blade beneath wallpaper and start
stripping away. In many cases, you'll be able to peel wallpaper
off with your hands, so try that before you resort to the scraper
to keep drywall damage to a minimum.
4)Repeat spraying process over
areas where wallpaper is difficult to remove.
5)After wallpaper has been removed,
wash the walls with clean, warm water to remove all traces of wallpaper
adhesive. The adhesive used to apply wallpaper will resist bonding
with paint, and cause it to peel.
