Wallpaper Removal Seriously Tedious
mustangs81
8 years ago
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akl_vdb
8 years agoOlychick
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Wallpaper removal EUREKA!!!!
Comments (7)Sarah, You can buy "true" TSP from the Real Milk Paint Company and have it delivered to NY. I just did it. I use a Lady Bug steamer (normally used for house cleaning) to remove wallpaper. I'm not sure which kind of fabric steamer you have, but you might want to check out JOhn Leeke's website where he has a long discussion and clear instructions for paint removal using a fabric steamer. He's using one of those $250-$350 ones with a floor tank, and tall "IV-stand" looking poles. (BTW, for those who are interested in buying one of these clothes steamers, the Gaylord Library Supply company has them on sale until Oct/Nov.) He's adapted some tools to use with it and apparently is really keen on the method for paint stripping and putty-softening jobs and other old-house paint stripping. I was thinking of one of those UV-paint strippers, but decided to research more in light of the hearing about the steam method. The steam method seems great, especially when dealing with lead paint as steam is always below the lead vaporization temp, so no worry there. (I deliberately tried to remove some paint with my Lady Bug; it worked OK, on some paints, but would be improved with a more powerful machine; meanwhile I found Soy-GEl, which works even better on some floor paint that the steamer didn't affect, so I veered off that way.....) I think JOhn's website is www.historichomeworks.com, but I am away from my home computer so can't say for sure. Google JOhn Leeke and windows and you'll turn him up easily. Molly~...See MoreWallpaper paste removal
Comments (8)I've used the big rental steamers. I don't think they work any differently than the lightweight home use ones by Wagner. The rentals just have to be sturdier because the get a lot more use and abuse than does a home steamer. I prefer the home steamers because they are lighter and the plastic hose doesn't get as hot as the rubber hose on the rental. The rentals almost always drip more than the home steamers, too. The trick to using a steamer is to not hold it against the wall too long. You have to experiment a bit to find the right amount of time for your particular paper and substrate. Too much time and the latex paint under the paper will soften and bubble up or drywall surface paper can get wet and damaged. Too little time and the paper will not come off easily. It might take just 15 seconds or it might take 40. But once you figure it out, it should be easy cruising....See MoreRemoving Wallpaper Border
Comments (16)I have to agree with the fabric softener. I have taken a lot of wallpaper down over the years. Finally used a steamer for my son's room several years ago and it also worked like a charm. About a month ago I took a border down in the laundry room with just hot water and fabric softener in a spray bottle (after I used a paper tiger to score the border). Worked like a charm. The glue came off as I was scraping the paper off. Very easy (and the laundry room smelled nice too)! Good luck...See MoreRemove wallpaper or replace drywall? Which cheaper?
Comments (21)You are not the owner of this home so the 'try it and see' approach won't work. When purchasing a property, the old adage comes into play: "Location, Location, Location". Everything else can be fixed but you can NEVER pick up your piece of land and drive it to another neighborhood. Money can fix everything but the location. So the question, always in realestate is which is more important, the HOUSE or the LOCATION? If the LOCATION is ideal and the FOOTPRINT of the house is ideal (right size, right amount of rooms, right components are fully usable, etc) then the 'surface stuff' is always doable. Always. The fun thing about home ownership is you discover how many things you CAN DO all by yourself. If you are a renter and have NEVER had to fix a dripping faucet (super easy to change out washers...you just need to know they exist), then you have not acquired the skill called 'washer changer'. That's fine. That's normal. If, on the other hand, you have changed out DOZENS of washers (on a drippy faucet) and each and every time it was a complete failure, then and only then can you call yourself 'not very handy' when dealing with faucets. And who knows, you might just find yourself a reno wizard. Some people find GREAT satisfaction when removing wall paper. Not many people have this in their tool box...but there are just enough people out there that love the FEELING of getting all that junk off their walls. The LOVE it (once it is all done). I hate wall paper. Hate it with a passion. I would hit that paper with everything I own to get rid of it (and then go out and buy MORE STUFF so that I could throw THAT at it too!). As a homeowner, I had NO IDEA that I could do SOOOO MUCH. It is quite liberating to find out how handy you are...all on your own....See MoreLars/J. Robert Scott
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