Wall paper steamers

[Cowgirl]

I rented one yesterday to remove the wallpaper in the kitchen. It didn't work all that well, and was a huge PITA to use. I removed one strip of paper. The paper still came off in two parts...the top part peeled right off, but I still had to scrape off the paper backing. AND, there's paneling under the paper.

So, I guess I'm just going to have to wallpaper over it. I really don't want to do that...I'd rather just have painted walls. I never seem to be able to find pretty paper at Lowes. There aren't too many options around here for paper. BF talked about using this planking...and painting it. It's going to be more expensive than wallpaper, but it might look a lot better. We could put up crown molding to finish it off. There's also this one that is a few bucks cheaper. I'd only want to use it if we could paint it though.

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[CMC122]

Did you try really really hot vinegar water? I had great luck with that before. Just spray well give it a few minutes then come back and scrape.:shrug:

 

[Vince]

I rented one yesterday to remove the wallpaper in the kitchen. It didn't work all that well, and was a huge PITA to use. I removed one strip of paper. The paper still came off in two parts...the top part peeled right off, but I still had to scrape off the paper backing. AND, there's paneling under the paper.

So, I guess I'm just going to have to wallpaper over it. I really don't want to do that...I'd rather just have painted walls.

That's the best way to go paint, no paper. Is it your own home or rental?

 

[Cowgirl]

That's the best way to go paint, no paper. Is it your own home or rental?

It's my BF's. Not a rental.

 

[LTDB]

Downy fabric softener cut with a little water in a spray bottle works well. No idea why. Just one of those things i guess

 

[AnnaInVA]

Tried and true removal

I just went through this for three large rooms and a hallway. Steamer didnt work. Finally had a professional come by. After removing the top layer of the wallpaper by just peeling it off, he used a garden sprayer full of warm water, sprayed down the wall really well and then stuck that cheap plastic tarp from Lowes (actually looks like a gigantic sheet of Saran Wrap) over the sprayed paper, it clings by itself. Left it on overnight and in the morning the paper on the walls just fell off. If you are in a hurry, mixing fabric softener with hot water in a spray bottle works well too. Vinegar does damage to the wall underneath and you can see the drops even when painting with three coats and a primer (as in my case), the drywall hadnt been prepared well by the original builder who then slapped wallpaper over it. Since you have paneling underneath, I would hesitate on the vinegar as well, even though it does a great job removing the glue and paper.

 

[Vince]

It's my BF's. Not a rental.

Time for BF to rip out the paneling, along with the wallpaper and put in drywall.

 

[Merlin99]

I rented one yesterday to remove the wallpaper in the kitchen. It didn't work all that well, and was a huge PITA to use. I removed one strip of paper. The paper still came off in two parts...the top part peeled right off, but I still had to scrape off the paper backing. AND, there's paneling under the paper.

So, I guess I'm just going to have to wallpaper over it. I really don't want to do that...I'd rather just have painted walls. I never seem to be able to find pretty paper at Lowes. There aren't too many options around here for paper. BF talked about using this planking...and painting it. It's going to be more expensive than wallpaper, but it might look a lot better. We could put up crown molding to finish it off. There's also this one that is a few bucks cheaper. I'd only want to use it if we could paint it though.

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

By any chance did you score the paper before steaming it? There are also tools like this http://www.southern-tool.com/store/hiretech_htp_wallpaper_perforator.html to allow the steam behind the paper.

 

[Cowgirl]

Time for BF to rip out the paneling, along with the wallpaper and put in drywall.

I wish!! He told me the walls were my deal...he's re-doing the floor. Although, he can do drywall.

 

[Cowgirl]

By any chance did you score the paper before steaming it? There are also tools like this http://www.southern-tool.com/store/hiretech_htp_wallpaper_perforator.html to allow the steam behind the paper.

I bought one of those cat-claw or paw whatever things. I have no clue how old this wallpaper is....all I know is that it smells really bad. The owners before us were smokers.

 

[jenbengen]

I bought something called "DIF" at Lowes. It is a spray on gel wallpaper remover. I only used it on a border in the bedroom, but it peeled it off SOOOO easily and left no residual on the walls!! I had tried other things to no avail, but this stuff was magic. I'm not sure if this helps, but I figured I'd try!

 

[jenbengen]

I bought something called "DIF" at Lowes. It is a spray on gel wallpaper remover. I only used it on a border in the bedroom, but it peeled it off SOOOO easily and left no residual on the walls!! I had tried other things to no avail, but this stuff was magic. I'm not sure if this helps, but I figured I'd try!

One more thing- I think I peeled off the top layer of paper where the design was first and used the DIF on the sticky undercoat that is so hard to remove.

 

[Vince]

I wish!! He told me the walls were my deal...he's re-doing the floor. Although, he can do drywall.

Guess you can tell I don't like wallpaper. And with the trouble you're having, you don't even have to ask me why.

 

[Nickel]

CG, my aunt and uncle recently replaced old, ugly wood paneling with new drywall, beadboard paneling from Lowes (the stuff they got was already white), and chair rail. It looks really good. If you feel the need to do wallpaper, Lowe's has books that you can special order from, you aren't limited to what they have in the store. I believe they sell Waverly, and they always have great prints (fabric and wallpaper that coordinate). I'd considered ordering some to line a cheap bookcase.

 

[Cowgirl]

CG, my aunt and uncle recently replaced old, ugly wood paneling with new drywall, beadboard paneling from Lowes (the stuff they got was already white), and chair rail. It looks really good. If you feel the need to do wallpaper, Lowe's has books that you can special order from, you aren't limited to what they have in the store. I believe they sell Waverly, and they always have great prints (fabric and wallpaper that coordinate). I'd considered ordering some to line a cheap bookcase.

I really wanted to avoid doing wallpaper, but I worried that the wood paneling underneath might not be smooth enough for painting. I really don't like wallpaper, just because it's a pain to change. I got a PM about the special order books at Lowes..I might check that out this weekend. I might also check out the beadboard paneling when I get there. I don't want white...did your aunt have luck painting it?

I might also check out that DIF remover that Jen mentioned. That sounds easy.

 

[Katie]

I have some border to remove from the guest bathroom and will try the DIF stuff. I also need to replace towel racks, and switchplates.

For some reason Darling Hubby won't let me remove the towel racks myself. The last time I did it, I put a HUGE hole in the wall.

 

[jazz lady]

I believe they sell Waverly, and they always have great prints (fabric and wallpaper that coordinate). I'd considered ordering some to line a cheap bookcase.

I didn't know that. I just bought a new bedding ensemble made by Waverly and had no idea what to coordinate with it. Thanks!

 

[BS Gal]

I really wanted to avoid doing wallpaper, but I worried that the wood paneling underneath might not be smooth enough for painting. I really don't like wallpaper, just because it's a pain to change. I got a PM about the special order books at Lowes..I might check that out this weekend. I might also check out the beadboard paneling when I get there. I don't want white...did your aunt have luck painting it?

I might also check out that DIF remover that Jen mentioned. That sounds easy.

The painting store in Wildewood also has a ton of wallpaper books, if you end up going that way. Might want to check with them, also.

 

[Larry Gude]

This is one of the worst...

Did you try really really hot vinegar water? I had great luck with that before. Just spray well give it a few minutes then come back and scrape.:shrug:

...home owner jobs of ALL time. Horrible.

I'd slap new board over the old or texture the paint before I EVER do that again.

 

[cattitude]

I just did this. I had vinyl wallpaper in my bathroom. I just gently pulled the vinyl top layer off. That left the gluey background paper. I bought this stuff..DI something, it was three initials. I mixed it up in an old windex spray bottle and sprayed it in sections..and left it for about 10 minutes and it came off like a charm. What I did was pull vinyl, spray..move onto another section of pulling vinyl and spraying. When you're done with pulling the glue paper off, you have to wipe the wall with the solution to get all the residual glue off. It's time consuming but very easy. I was surprised at how well that glue remover worked.