Washing is the only way. Sanding may make the surface smooth but the paste will still be there. The trouble with washing unpainted drywall is that the mud joints will get wet and you will end up removing some mud, but that is just how it goes. I like to use green scrubbies with hot water to remove paste, at least two good rinses with a sponge followed by a coat of Gardz to insure that any paste that you couldn't remove is locked down forever so that it will not affect your topcoats.

As always, thank you, Paintguy! I will wash the paste away! The walls were painted and prepped very well before the paper was hung which I guess is why the paper is so easy to remove with no damage to the walls(?). The paint is still in tact, no mud is visable. So, just hot water and green scrubbies? No magic solution of any kind? I'll pull the rest of the paper off tomorrow and then start to work on the removing the paste.

Thanks Paintguy, you have been a very big help!

sooey

I would use Safe-n-Simple, cover with Saran wrap so it can brew under the plastic for about 20 minutes and dissolve adhesive. Then wash it like PG suggests -- but then again you are planning to GARDZ. So it could be overkill and unnecessary especially if you feel there is a negligible amount of residue on the walls.

unnecessary especially if you feel there is a negligible amount of residue on the walls.

That " negligible" amount still needs to be sealed.

I do use DIF or WP Chomp in a garden sprayer with hot water, but just plain old hot water works too. I believe funcolors means that using the Safe and Simple may be overkill if you are using Gardz, not using Gardz would be overkill and I agree. When I know I am going to Gardz, I may not put so much effort into removing 100 percent of the paste. 90 percent is good enough.

Thanks Kids,

I will pick up some green scrubbies and also check out the DIF &/or WP Chomp at the paint store. I will also get some Gardz while I am there.

This job has turned out to be very easy and almost effortless. Who knew removing wallpaper could be so fun...a piece of cake. hmmmmmmm cake...

Thanks, I'll keep you posted.

Sooey

"I believe funcolors means that using the Safe and Simple may be overkill if you are using Gardz, not using Gardz would be overkill and I agree. When I know I am going to Gardz, I may not put so much effort into removing 100 percent of the paste. 90 percent is good enough."

Exactamundo.

Hmmmmm....

Chomp, Gardz, Scrubbies.....AND Cake!??!?

Wow! That's the REAL success to ANY paste-removal job!

A possible benefit of getting ALL paste off, is if the paste still has any undesirable texture-pattern left. This will obviously telegraph through Gardz/paint coats.

"Exactamundo"...well...there you are. From a professional Colorist...;-)

Faron

"A possible benefit of getting ALL paste off, is if the paste still has any undesirable texture-pattern left. This will obviously telegraph through Gardz/paint coats."

That's very true, Faron. IMPORTANT point to point out!

Hi again, Kids...

Well, my bathroom project continues. All the wallpaper is off of the walls and I have removed 93.333% of the paste/glue. I ended up using hot water, a towel and a Dobi...came right off. My next question is, do I repair any damage to the walls before or after I apply the Gardz? I have a few, very small spots where the paper of the sheetrock came off. I am sure I can use spackel to fill those in. I also have a few dings that were in the wall before the paper went on. All small stuff. Gardz before or after? And while I am at it and, have your attention...do I need to prime after the Gardz?

Thanks Kids, it's looking really good in that bathroom.

sooey
A few pieces of cake left...who wants?

You can patch before applying the Gardz, but the areas where the drywall paper facing came off may bubble when you patch. This is the primary purpose of Gardz actually....to seal down that brown fuzz so that is won't bubble. Gardz is a fine primer too. The only drawback is that it is clear so it won't offer the color coverage that a white primer will.

QUOTE: do I repair any damage to the walls before or after I apply the Gardz? I have a few, very small spots where the paper of the sheetrock came off. I am sure I can use spackel to fill those in. I also have a few dings that were in the wall before the paper went on. All small stuff. Gardz before or after? And while I am at it and, have your attention...do I need to prime after the Gardz?

Yes, if you have any open places where the drywall and the facing paper are exposed, I would suggest you seal this up first with your Gardz. This stops and seals any future problems with the exposed drywall. Do your patch work, sand, dust really good, and then use Gardz as an allover primer for the entire wall. As paintguy mentioned, Gardz is clear so if you are planning on using any type of at least a base 3 or darker color with less Ti02, I would use a good hiding primer before applying your finished topcoat. I like using the Aura bath&spa paint in the bath.
good luck. sounds like you are on a good route and know what you are doing. :)

Thanks Kids,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions. I am well on my way to having a bathroom with walls that are as perfect as I can make them. I like projects like this and I enjoy doing things the correct way. You all have been a great help to me in my quest.

sooey