mgsontour Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Hi all, got some old wallpaper which seems to have been done with an old fashioned industrial strength paste. . . . any ideas to remove it with hacking the wall underneath and how to prepare for new stuff? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) Easy answer is don't walls work just the same with or without paper or paint on them! But if you must, hire a good steamer and keep the paper damp. The OH insisted that some wallpaper was removed and it was a bitch (the paper) I had to soak it for a couple of days before it would let go of the wall! Edited October 17, 2019 by bluesj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 31 minutes ago, mgsontour said: Hi all, got some old wallpaper which seems to have been done with an old fashioned industrial strength paste. . . . any ideas to remove it with hacking the wall underneath and how to prepare for new stuff? Cheers Scratch and score it with a knife/scraper, them apply warm soapy water with a brush. Give it multiple coats until hopefully it starts to lift. A steam stripper would be a massive help but I'm afraid whatever way you do it it is going to require some good old fashioned elbow grease to get it off. Alternatively if it's in good condition just paint over it. And God help you if it's woodchip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Not woodchip but recon it's a close cousin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 (edited) Black and Decker Steam Stripper - about £30 - you would not believe how effective these things are,if you were closer I would lend you mine but see if any of your mates has one you can borrow.15 seconds and the paper will fall off. Edited October 17, 2019 by bruno22rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owdnorthener Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Carefully scratch the wall surface, then soak it with size ( very thin wallpaper paste ). The paste allows it stay on the paper for longer than just soapy water, giving more chance of soaking in. Steamers are good, but you must be careful the wall surface doesn't come away. A decent scraper does help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 steamstrippers are bad ...........they can lift the skim or plaster..........buy a 3 wheeled hardened steeled scratcher....give it a good scratching....then sparay it with water constantly ...leave it overnight...spray some more and it should scrape off nice and easy........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 What room is it in. Painted or not shiney coating or the like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted October 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 In lounge. a little shiney to be honest with lumps in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Take the carpet up, Get a thing called a paper tiger, if you are re wallpapering, 5L pump sprayer fill with water and fairy liquid stir to mix so it doesn't bubble in sprayer, a good wooden handle scraper 3" And away you go If painting do a small section without paper tiger and see what quality the walls are as your plans may change. I'm no decorator but rip out council properties 4 days a week for refurbishment so have delt with various situations and this method deals with the majority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjaferret Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Warm Water in a hand held spray bottle and the magic ingredient Fabric conditioner about 1/4 conditioner to 3/4 water soak a small area give it 10-15minutes and it scrapes off really easy Scour the wallpaper first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 Buy a wallpaper spiker, it will put loads of little holes this will let the water and steam in. As others have said, wet the walls with warm nearly hot water let it soak in and keep wetting it. Get the steamer up and running and it should steam.off easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 17/10/2019 at 22:20, ninjaferret said: Warm Water in a hand held spray bottle and the magic ingredient Fabric conditioner about 1/4 conditioner to 3/4 water soak a small area give it 10-15minutes and it scrapes off really easy Scour the wallpaper first thats interesting ...............why so ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatchap Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 (edited) On 17/10/2019 at 22:20, ninjaferret said: Warm Water in a hand held spray bottle and the magic ingredient Fabric conditioner about 1/4 conditioner to 3/4 water soak a small area give it 10-15minutes and it scrapes off really easy Scour the wallpaper first Heard that one does work too, also wallpaper paste softens artex so you can just scrape it off, makes one hell of a mess though. Edited October 20, 2019 by fatchap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjaferret Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 I really don't know mate, I just know it works. I bought another house and the wall paper was embossed and about 5 layers underneath it. My mate was scraping off little bit's I was stripping sheets off compared. Just know it worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted October 20, 2019 Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 17/10/2019 at 18:14, ditchman said: steamstrippers are bad ...........they can lift the skim or plaster..........buy a 3 wheeled hardened steeled scratcher....give it a good scratching....then sparay it with water constantly ...leave it overnight...spray some more and it should scrape off nice and easy........ Agree with Ditchman from experience. Steam stripper took the skim coat off in places and had to re plaster. Fortunately plasterer was booked anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted October 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Thanks lads, I'll try your ideas and see what works best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Don't bother with fancy scrapers a fish slice will do fine. Worked for the Royal family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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