Prince George Painters Wallpaper Removal - Painting Over Wallpaper - <h2>Wallpaper Removal vs Painting Over Wallpaper</h2> Painting over wallpaper can be done, but is isn't recommended because the moisture from painting can buckle the old paper in spots, separate from the drywall or simply appear patched and cheap l

Wallpaper Removal vs Painting Over Wallpaper

Painting over wallpaper can be done, but is isn't recommended because the moisture from painting can buckle the old paper in spots, separate from the drywall or simply appear patched and cheap looking around the seams. If the paper is however, smooth and well applied you can go over it with example: Benjamin Moore Alkyd Enamel Underbody until covered (maybe two coats) and sand well until smooth. I would only do this on extreme cases and/or only if the paper is close to actual drywall texture (smooth paper). Make sure your seams are either filled with a recommended mud and not loose. With a razor knife, cut away any loose areas and repair like it was a patch. Prepare it all well and you may be able to paint the paper without all the mess of removing it. That being said...

If it's peel able vinyl wallpaper, you can peel it off using a wallpaper removal tool and wallpaper remover solution to strip the glue. Its a messy job I don't enjoy doing but, if done properly, it can be done and should look totally excellent once painted. I have removed walls of old wallpaper in the finest homes and you would never know it was once covered with wallpaper.

Use wallpaper remover:

Before applying wallpaper removal solution, first score the paper using a wallpaper scoring tool. This tool (which is available at most paint and hardware stores) will lightly perforate the old wallpaper and allow water to get in behind the paper and make this job much easier. Best method is to use an airless sprayer and soak water on until you can pull off the top layer. When ready (if it lifts up easy) start a top corner using a putty knife and begin pulling off the top layer of the paper keeping as much together without tearing too much. If it starts tearing in little pieces its not ready. Keep soaking until it comes easy (a steamer can speed up the process sometimes) Once the top layer is off keep soaking the backing paper now until it can easily be pulled off. You will see it lift and bubble. The backing paper is a piece of cake compared to the top coat. An hour has passed by... If you aren't getting anywhere its because of a few reasons.

1.) your haven't perforated enough;
2.) you don't have enough water on the paper;
3.) the original paper hanger didn't prime the walls and now you are SOL.

If you don't have an airless... sponge on the wallpaper removal solution and let it soak in for the time prescribed by the manufacturer (ten minutes to one hour). Common sense is when you see the paper separating easily (start at the top and gravity moves down). Using care, pull as much as you can and, if needed, spray a bit more solutions on tough spots. Carefully scrape any paper off with a putty knife or wallpaper scraper (If you mark the wall, spackle, sand and prime again before painting!).

Rent a steamer for removing wallpaper, which poses less risk to the wall surface. You'll still have to remove the glue. However, if you are removing a vinyl or vinyl-coated paper, you will still need to score the paper.

Tips:

Its a messy job! Your baseboards and floor area will get wet and gluey. You aren't drenching your walls, however, cover your working area with tarps and get a garbage container ready for the old wet and slimy paper coming off. Have good quality rags on hand. While one area ahead is soaking, you are pulling and cleaning behind. Clean up as you go. No sense in rushing this, take your time and it will all go well. If you are struggling, you are not doing it right.

Often, there will be ink or pencil markings on the wall which were used as guides to hang the paper you want to remove. Before painting, these marks should be removed or covered with a stain killing primer.

Often, the old glue leaves a residue that can "bleed" into the new paint. To ensure this from not happening I recommend priming over any walls anyway so the walls look as nice as they can.