What is the best way to remove old wallpaper from a bathroom - so it can be painted?
Answers:
GO TO YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE OR HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE AND GET A BOTTLE OF DIF WALLPAPER STRIPPER AND A PUTTY KNIFE. HOPEFULLY, YOU HAVE VINYL TOPPED PAPER IN YOUR BATHROOM. THE TOP SHOULD PEEL RIGHT OFF. THE WHOLE THING MIGHT PEEL OFF, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE SHOWER. IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TOP, GET A SMALL PIECE OFF. THEN TAKE A BUCKET OF WARM WATER AND ADD THE DIF. WET THE AREA THAT YOU HAVE REMOVED AND LET IT SIT. YOU CAN SLOWLY REMOVE THE PAPER A LITTLE AT A TIME THIS WAY. IF THE TOP COMES OFF, BUT THE BOTTOM STAYS, WET THE LINER WITH THE DIF SOLUTION AND LET IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES. USE THE PUTTY KNIFE TO GENTLY SCRAPE IT AWAY. AFTER YOU HAVE ALL THE WALLPAPER REMOVED, GO BACK AND CLEAN YOUR WALLS THOROUGHLY WITH SOME NEW DIF SOLUTION, TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PAINT WILL ADHERE.
Other answers:
Wallpaper steamer. You can usually rent them from hardware stores and such.
Wallpaper steamer. You can usually rent them from hardware stores and such.
STREAMING OFF AND SOME SCRAPING YOU CAN RENT A STREAMER
spray on fabric softener, gets into the paper and softens it, you can also use a steam machine in both cases you will also need a good metal 3-4 inch wide scraper. ensure the surface ihas no ahesive, this can be cleaned off with vinigar and water, the surface then must be dry and a ggod primer applied before painting
Wallpaper adhesive remover found at Home Depot or even a hardware store and a good, sharp, metal scraper. Also, you can even try using a scorer that makes little holes in the paper to let more of the remover between the paper.
Then, there's also steamers that make it much easier if your covering a large area. (It's more expensive)
Begin with very hot water and a scouring pad(the copper kind sold in the kitchen areas of most grocery stores), scrape the walls to make the outer serface rough, then wet the walls with the hot water using a sponge mop. Wait about 5 minutes then begin pulling the paper off. To remove the remaining paper and glue use Dif wallpaper remover gel and a dobie pad. Rinse the pad as needed and continue to scrub until all you see left is a clean wall. Or rent a wallpaper steamer; steam the area at the top of a sheet of wallpaper and when it is loose enough begin pulling it down the wall, repeat the process working down the wall until all the paper is removed. Then use TSP to wash the walls and they are ready for paint.
Personally, rather than do it yourself, I would pay someone to come in and do it for me. It's not a very fun task.
There is some good info here.
I know that removing wall paper from a room is difficult. So, if it is still in good shape, leave it. In many rooms in our house we have covered the wall paper with paint. Sometimes paint can look dull. By leaving the wallpaper, the walls will still contain the texture of the paper. It makes the walls look really neat.
1st of all determine what your walls are ---
Is your home older than 50 years? If so that may be plaster vs. drywall hiding behind the wall paper. which is ok... but when you go to paint that later make sure you put kilz primer so the paint will stick other wise it will start peeling.
If you have a newer home less than 50 years most likely you have dry wall -- be careful to not Oversoak the wall as this could be damaging and could warp the dry wall... (see the source link).
Ok here are my tips that work everytime for that non strippable type of wallpaper that just does not want to move.
DO NOT waste your money on the gel wall paper remover sprays from home depot or lowes... you will end up spending way toooo much time on the project and end up buying more of the gel spray.... The total cost of removal should be less than 20 bucks !!!
I have done the following many times.
The ONLY thing you purchase from Home Depot/ Lowes/ DIY center is:
Scraper (Metal)
Paper Tiger
Drop cloth
Tape<< can get from dollar store
Possibly if you score too hard on the wall --- filler (plaster) for nicks and holes and a plaster spatula and sandpaper -- medium to small grit to smooth the plaster.
A Metal Scraper and a paper scorer = "Paper Tiger" -- you only need the small cheap one to do what needs to be done. Also you will be making a mess so buy a drop cloth -- plastic ones are cheap and you can tape them down --- > I knew I would be doing a lot of this more often then not -- The Home Depot's and Lowes sell a thick roll of plastic sheeting (can get a little bit pricey) for drywall contractors and such this is generally cheaper over time if you are just getting started because you can get several feet for pennies literally. Much more worth it... you just tape it down and voila done and the floor is protected. So buying a roll would probably be better if you are planning on painting quite a bit in the future.
Waste your money on good paint!
THEN:
Go to the $1 store and get the generic old plain cheap Fabric Softener and 2 - $1 Buckets and some car wash sponges (2 - 3) and also a $1 gallon of old fashioned white vinegar.
Once you have all the necessary items.....
Tape down the drop cloth so it does not move....
In the first bucket fill it 3/4 of the way with water and then just pour in the fabric softener until the bucket is almost full. Put one of the sponges in the bucket to soak. Warm to almost hot water is preferable.
With the Paper Tiger tool follow the instructions provided on the package.... you take the paper tiger and go in circles on the wall -- BE CAREFUL not to press to hard as this will leave indents on the wall that you would have to then fill in w/ plaster and sand down to a smooth finish. What this will do is place very tiny holes on the wall paper scoring it lightly so that the softener mixture can mix into the glue. Be Generous w/ the softener mixture... if it is not enough go back over again.
Let this soak for about 10 minutes and go over again w/ the sponge and softener mixture .... slice a small piece and just start pulling and it will come right off --- like peeling a bad sunburn!! Let the wall dry as you don't want to Oversoak all at one time ....
After all of it is off of the wall & the wall is dry -- fill a bucket 3/4 w/ warm to hot water and fill the remainder of the bucket with the white vinegar and add the sponge.
Wash your walls :)
If you see rough spots sand those very gently with fine grit sandpaper.
Once that is completed you are ready for primer and paint. :)
Since this is a bathroom make sure the walls are in good shape and the room has enough ventilation --- If the walls are still in good shape great . I would still put on primer and then paint. The primer that is really excellent for bathrooms is Kilz -- the oil based is great because it can prevent mold and mildew --- make sure all windows are open because you will be completely high after you paint with that stuff.
Good luck!!