Removing wallpaper to put up tile. . .?
Answers:
Removing wallpaper is a painful, thankless chore. While it may sound difficult, it is much easier to remove the wallboard and replace it to achieve a good substrate for anything from new paint to tile. In the case of installing tile, it is highly recommended: replace with Durock or Hardibacker and you will have a happy tile project.
To answer your question without advice: using a water based adhesive will not work - the moisture of the thin set and the weight of the tile will peel away your efforts. A solvent-based adhesive could work as long as it penetrates the remaining paper. This method would not be warranteed by any professional, as problems could arise in a few years time. You do not need to remove all the remnants of the paper; tile product manufacturers have specific thin-set or mastic application rates (ie: interior bathroom tile must be 80% covered with adhesive); it follows that as long as EACH tile is in solid contact with the wall at the prescribed rate, your tile should stick.
Other answers:
You need a solid substructure for the tile. That means if you remove the wallpaper and tear some of the sheet rock paper, that won't work. You could use DuraRock board and put that over the walls. That is kinda a pain, but it can be done. If you don't remove the wallpaper, it will probably peel under the adhesive and not give you a good bond either. This probably really didn't answer your question, but does give you something to think about.
You need a solid substructure for the tile. That means if you remove the wallpaper and tear some of the sheet rock paper, that won't work. You could use DuraRock board and put that over the walls. That is kinda a pain, but it can be done. If you don't remove the wallpaper, it will probably peel under the adhesive and not give you a good bond either. This probably really didn't answer your question, but does give you something to think about.
An easy way to remove the adhesive part of wallpaper is by mixing hot water, dish soap, and vinegar. Put this on your walls and allow it to soak then take a scratch pad or something similar and try to get the remnants of the paper off. Usually it will just peel off and you won't have to do much to it after that. Hint: The more you apply and the longer you let it soak the easier it will come off.
You can tile over the adhesive layer that stays on the wall but, your tile has a better chance of staying put if you remove the wallpaper completely.
Go to the nearest wallpaper outlet or even try Sherwin Williams there's a roller called-( tiger )that some wallpainter removers used that is a misconception of removing wallpaper.
That you roll over wallpaper and spray with (diff)
I been doing this for over 30 years people come out with all kinds of gadgets called-( tiger ). Anyway pull your paper off the best way you can since you not going to paint or re-paper. ( if it dont all come off dont worry )
Take the roll ( tiger ) on wallpaper use this method of striping paper you roll it across the wall and it put pi-bit holes in it.
Than put your adhesive on the wall when you press the tile against the wall adhesive will go into the pi-bit holes and bond your tile to the Sheetrock.
Now when you get your tile they also have spacer put on all four corners and turn one side ways in the middle of each tile.
Let dry and the next day grout====== simply and enjoy
If the bottom layer is not smooth I wouldn't not suggest that you tile over that. You want your tile to be even and level. I would try and and just had up a durarock or a wonder board to it and then add your tile to it. Don't struggle to get the rest of the wallpaper off it can be so frustrating.. Good Luck.
I hang wallapaer for a living. I also do ceramic tile work. If it were me, I would go right over the wallpaper with dura rock. If you go to the trouble of removing the wallpaper, ceramic tile still will not stay on for a long time if you put it directly on painted walls. I know its a pain, but you will be happy you took the time to do it right in a few years.