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| There's some old wallpaper that came with the house I just bought, and it looks the type you would have seen in a seventies sitcom. I did not want to go to the trouble of stripping same. It was suggested to me be a friend just to take the easy way out and just paint over it. What would you recommend I do in this situation? |
Bad idea? I don't recommend painting over wallpaper,
particularly the vinyl type. You really just need to bite the bullet
and remove all the old wallpaper. To clarify this point the only
wallpaper you can successfully paint over is types fit for purpose
examples such as woodchip or embossed.
Stripping Wallpaper
In part I of this issue, Kevin Farrelly the DIY Doctor will look at
the art of stripping wallpaper, and if completed correctly will again
add valve to your home. I would like you to use this article as purely
informational only this week. The reason I say this is too many people
take on this type of project with insufficient knowledge of what is
required. If have witnessed far too many cases which ends up costing a
lot of stress and money to fix. Below outlined is a complete overview
from types of wall construction to many different wallpaper types all
this information you will find invaluable in part ii.
The Methodology to Wallpaper Removal
Knowing and choosing the correct method is paramount at this point in
the process. Depending on the particular surface the actual type of
old wallpaper being removed from, and more important the structure
underneath. Knowing this information is the key to another successful
DIY project. There is no mystery in the art of stripping wallpaper;
it's quite an easy task once you know the best approach to take.
Tools and Materials You Need
Stanley knife (or razor blade), Chemical wallpaper remover, electric
steamer, wallpaper scraper, Protective goggles, Rubber gloves,
heavy-duty detergent Large sponge, and dust sheets.
How best to proceed:
There are a lot of different ways to remove wallpaper and a variety of
products you can use. But the object of the exercise is essentially
trying to deactivate the adhesive that holds the wallpaper backing
onto the wall.
Wall Construction Types
Again knowing what you're up against is key.
In most cases, walls are either dry lining (gypsum sandwiched between
layers of paper) or plaster smoothed over blockwork (or metal mesh).
You can usually tell what you have by the feel plastered walls are
harder, colder, and smoother than dry lining. Another method used is
by tapping on the wall dry lining will sound hollow, and plaster will
not.
Dry lining
Dry lined walls are more vulnerable to water damage from the over use
of the wallpaper steamer; you must avoid over wetting the dry lining.
Also care must be taken when you're scraping away wallpaper because
dry lining will damage more easily than plaster.
Overview
I will now outline below a course of action only to be undertake when
part ii has been read. Here are some of the necessary steps involved
and the different approaches associated with this project. The
materials and techniques discussed will prove successful on most types
of wallpaper.
Loose Wallpaper
If you're lucky, some wallpaper may already be loose, and you can just
start peeling away. These wallpapers are easy to remove if you just
use a paint scraper to pry up a corner and pull the strip off the
wall. Once you have removed all the strips of wallpaper, you may use a
wallpaper stripping solution consisting of water and a little
dishwashing detergent. Wallpaper stripping solution should be sponged
on the backing material and allowed to soak for about 10 minutes
repeat this process when and where necessary.
Vinyl Wallpaper
Many of the vinyl types of wallpaper are what are called waterproof. I
find the best approach to take with this type of wallpaper; first you
must score the paper. Using a Stanley knife to cut or score a series
of figure Xs into the wallpaper surface. This requires a careful touch
as to not damage the underlying wall surface. In most cases, the
scoring and soaking steps will promote or enhance the removal of the
facing material. The golden rule here is the more you soak, the easier
the job becomes remember what I said about dry lining.
Removal of the backing material
By stripping the outer face off of this type of wallpaper, this should
leave only the backing material and glue. If required you can prepare
your own wallpaper stripping solution consisting of water and a little
dishwashing detergent. Wallpaper stripping solution should always be
sponged on the backing material and allowed to soak (re-wetting as
required) for at least 10 minutes. A cheap garden-type sprayer will
tremendously speed up the soaking process. Now try to remove some
backing material with wallpaper scraping tool or alternately any flat
bladed tool. If this fails, re-wet the backing and allow too soak. The
more you soak, the easier the job again caution if dealing with dry
lining.
Flock Wallpaper
Flock wallpaper is made usually from a very fine cotton, silk or nylon
fibers and in two layers. If the flocked paper has a fabric front
layer, it should just peel away. If the underneath layer is paper,
then you can use the wallpaper steamer to remover this part. If the
paper won't budge and you have to score the surface, first moisten the
flock fibers to keep them together. Then wet the scored surface with
wallpaper remover leave to soak after about 10 minutes start to remove
the paper with a paint scraper or broad edged tool.
Woodchip Wallpaper
Woodchip is relatively cheap wallpaper with small chips of wood on the
finished side. It is available in a range of textures, it is ideal for
hiding defects in most wall surfaces. Normally it is painted over to
give different colour schemes, can be repainted to give an inexpensive
facelift. If you are required to remove this type of wallpaper one of
the above methods can be applied.
Embossed Wallpaper
Embossed is patterned wallpaper with a decorative finish. This type of
wallpaper can also be painted over for a quick facelift to your room.
If you are required to remove this type of wallpaper one of the above
methods can be applied.
Next Issue
In part ii of this project we will explore the following the correct
use of the wallpaper stripper, electrical issue's to be considered and
alternatives to re-wallpapering.
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