Wallpaper removal

at | Category: Interior Painting

Removing wallpaper is a job that can be very easily done, or it can turn into your worst nightmare. This week I encountered the latter. Whenever I have a client who requests we remove their wallpaper, I always tell them I can’t give an accurate estimate on what it will cost. There are so many things that can affect it to be able to predict before you start. Layers of paper, if proper surface preparation was done, substrate type and the original painting procedure are just a few.

I started removing the paper in this home as I always do, with a Dif solution- hot water applied with a pump up sprayer. We score the surface of the paper with a paper tiger, and simply spray it on. The enzymes go to work on the glue and hopefully the top of the paper peels off leaving the backing that is easily removed with a wet sponge and some elbow grease. The paper however was not sized or properly primed with a sealer. The glue had made a chemical bond with the layer of paint below. To make matters worse the paint was eggshell applied directly to bare drywall. Neither of which is acceptable application methods.

When I saw how difficult removal would be we soaked the paper down with a heavy spray and covered it with plastic overnight to prevent the Dif solution from drying. Usually this is enough to remove stubborn paper. This time the paper came off in full sheets, unfortunately so did the paint below it taking the gypsum wallboard paper facing, and joint compound off with it. What a mess this was, and the worst of the worst. I said a few choice words in my mind to the installer, and painter who had contributed to the repair work I and my client now had to deal with.

We were left with a wall that would require many hours of work to return to a smooth paintable surface. I started by sanding the surface to remove as much failing paper and smooth the joint compound as much as possible. I then applied a coat of guards to glue down the failing paper, and seal the surface. We then skim coated the entire walls with light sanding joint compound. After a light sanding to even out the skim coat, we then applied a coat of Duron high build new construction primer.

This primer applies very thick, and is then sanded heavily to further even the surface out. It really sands easily and you can remove a lot of material with pole sander. This is good as you only remove the high spots getting a super smooth, ready to paint surface. As you can see in the video I then applied a tinted flat. This was required for the red topcoat color. Two coats of Duration home Matte will then be applied finishing this week’s interior repaint, and wallpaper removal.

To all you “pros” out there stop taking shortcuts when it comes to bare drywall, and wallpaper. To readers who aren’t pros, make sure your contractor follows proper surface preparation and installation procedures. Saving money now, can cost you more than you know down the road. Johnson Home Construction is Wilmington NC’s premier painting contractor. Rest easy knowing your next painting project is done correctly. Contact them today, and get your free consultation.