Regardless of what type of wallpaper was used, you can give the room a new look by removing it and painting. Although you can paint over wallpaper, experts recommend removing it whenever possible to prevent future problems like bubbling and peeling.
Start by using a putty knife to carefully peel away the wallpaper. If the paper is still stuck to the wall, use a chemical stripper.
1. Prep the Walls
As with all painting projects, preparation is key. Cover floors and outlets with drop cloths, remove switches and outlet covers, and wear a dust mask to protect your lungs.
Newer wallpaper is often strippable, which means you can pull it off the wall and clean up any remaining adhesive residue. But older wallpaper is tougher to deal with.
To make the job easier, start at a corner or seam and try to peel it off the wall. If it won’t budge, use the chemicals to dissolve the glue.
2. Hot Water
You will likely be left with gunky glue residue on the walls after removing wallpaper. Use a sponge and some hot water to clean the walls before painting.
Start at the seams and bubbling sections of the wall. Work in small areas and saturate the walls thoroughly. Allow the solution to soak in and loosen the glue before scraping with a putty knife or steamer. Be careful not to damage the plaster with too much water, especially if you have drywall or other non-porous material underneath your wallpaper.
3. Chemicals
If your wallpaper is washable or peelable, you may be able to remove it using soap and water. If not, you’ll need to use a steamer or chemical stripper.
If you choose the latter, work on a day when it’s possible to open windows and protect floors with plastic sheeting. Apply the solution with a scoring tool to penetrate the surface print layer and break down the wallpaper adhesive. For more info, do visit this website wallpaper singapore.
If you’re worried about the chemicals used in the product, try a homemade solution made of fabric softener and hot water. Score the paper before soaking it.
4. Scraping
A scrub brush and sponge will help remove any glue residue on the walls. If the walls are really stick-y, use a wallpaper-removal spray to loosen it up.
Fogle suggests scoring the wall, soaking it and scraping. Repeat this process until all of the wallpaper and its backing are removed.
It may take some time and work, but it’s worth it for a fresh new look! Once the walls are dry, you can paint. Be sure to sand the walls before painting!
5. Removing the Paper
The type of wallpaper will determine the removal method. Depending on the wall material, some types of wallpaper can be more difficult to remove than others.
The best way to figure out what kind of wallpaper you’re dealing with is to try pulling at a corner or seam. If it pulls off relatively easily, you’re dealing with peelable wallpaper and your job will be much easier. If not, you’re likely dealing with strippable or vinyl wallpaper. Those are more time-consuming to remove.
6. Cleaning the Walls
The wallpaper removal process left marks on your walls, so you need to clean them before painting. Dip a sponge in your cleaning solution and scrub it gently on the walls. Rinse with clean water.
You can paint over some types of wallpaper, but it’s important to fully remove it if you want a smooth surface for your new color. If you’re not up to the task of stripping, try these easy steps to prep your walls for paint.
7. Prime the Walls
Depending on the wallpaper and adhesive, you may be able to simply peel it away. If you can’t remove it, try using a wallpaper scoring tool to create small tears in the paper without damaging the wall surface. This will allow either water or a chemical wallpaper stripper to soften the adhesive.
Once you’ve removed the wallpaper, wash the walls with hot water. Then, apply a thin coat of primer to prepare the walls for painting. Make sure to sand the walls and smooth any rough spots.
8. Painting
It is sometimes possible to paint over wallpaper if it is not textured or has vinyl coating and is in a small room. This may be a last resort if stripping is too much work or expensive.
Before you paint, scrub the walls with a sponge with TSP to ensure that all glue is removed. You should also use a sponge with clean water to rinse the wall and let it dry. Then it is time to paint your new look!
