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Wallpaper removal may seem like a difficult task and sometimes it is.  There are many factors that contribute to how hard or easy wallpaper removal will be for you.  The length of time the paper has been on the wall, the paste that was used, the preparation work that was done before paper was installed are all things that may make your job tougher.  Having the right tools and knowledge will make the task of removing wallpaper much easier.

Materials Needed

Steps

1. Score (perforate) the wallpaper with a scoring tool or sandpaper

 

2. Apply wallpaper stripping solution with a paint roller or a sponge and wait the recommended time for the product to work.  Make sure to keep the wall wet.  If the product starts to dry it will be even harder to remove the wallpaper.

 

3. Peel up a corner of the wallpaper and remove the vinyl topcoat.

 

4. Reapply stripper and use wallpaper scraper to remove the wallpaper backing and adhesive.

 

5. Wash the wall down with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate).
   
   

 

Hints

Do not use a putty knife to scrape the wallpaper off of the wall.  Putty knives have a blunt blade that is made to put spackle on the wall, not remove wallpaper.  If you put too much force on the knife it will cut into the drywall or plaster.  Use a product such as the "Paper Scraper" from Zinsser.

Afterwards

If you are planning on painting after removing the wallpaper, make sure you remove all of the wallpaper paste.  If there is any paste residue on the wall you cannot use any latex-based product over top of it.  The water in the product will reactivate the paste and the primer or paint will not stick.  You must use an oil-based primer to cover the paste. The ease of wallpaper removal is determined by the prep work that was done when it was put up.  If wallpaper was hung directly on bare drywall it will come off much harder if the wall was primed and sized before the wallpaper was installed.