Hi all I have been steam stripping wallpaper from an interior plasterboard wall prior to redecorating. To my not-very-great surprise, I find that the original plasterboard hadn't had a finishing coat of plaster applied. Instead, there seem to have been one or two very thin sheets of paper put over the top (thinner than lining paper - dunno what this is called), and then the previous vinyl wallpaper.
So I have been spending quite a time steaming all these layers off. It looks like I am going to be left with a plasterboard surface which is a bit rough in places; despite my care I've dug below the plasterboard surface in a few spots, and stripped off part of the paper covering of the plasterboard in a few other area.
I will tidy as much of this up as I can when I've finished the steaming (filling in the dings etc.), but now I'm wondering about the best way to 'finish' the wall before putting my wallcovering on. Given that I intend to put up heavyweight lining paper (then paint it), having a thin plaster finishing coat on seems a bit wasteful. I'd also have to get a man in to do this; as much as its a skill I'd like to learn it won't happen for this project. So instead, any thoughts on the pros and cons of:
- having a plasterboard skim coat put on regardless
- just sealing the plasterboard as is
- putting a lightweight lining paper up first, then sealing that (PVA or emulsion?), and then putting up my heavyweight paper?
- anything else?
Thanks for your thoughts
J^n