Rewallpapering first and part of 2nd floor; previous stuffput up 30 or 40 years ago.(Well, actually we're just removing the wallpaper so wecan paint the walls -- wife says she wants a change...)This room's (hall and stairwell) paper was cheaper thanthe other, and is proving damn near impossible to getoff.We're using enzyme-stuff "DIF" brand.We've tried steam from kettle just off stove, boiling --no effect.Also *very* hot water (just short of boiling) -- noeffect (ie, no incremental improvement -- althoughon the other rooms, yes, it did help there).DIF does help, but not enough -- the back side of thepaper ("backing"?) and glue stick to the wall, and theonly way we know to get it off is the scraper, difficultinch by difficult inch, taking a *huge* amount of time.Is far more difficult than in the other rooms, witha better class of wallpaper having been put up(also 30 to 40 years ago).QUESTION: (1) are these different brands of wallpaper-remover chemical all the same, or do some use *different*chemicals from the others?(2) Currently, we're using DIF brand.Anything better?(Especially if you've actually tried DIF, and discoveredyourself that some other brand works better!)(3) Any hints?(4) Does making the blades eg razor-sharp help (they're already pretty darned sharp)?Thanks!David

(David Combs) wrote in news:bspqin$c4l$ No idea (sorry).Sometimes plain water has worked better for us -- especially if the patterned surface could be torn off, leaving just the paper backing stuck to the wall. Soak the paper with a sponge, wait a few minutes, and then it scrapes off easily. If the blade is too sharp, it will just cut into the plaster or drywall.

removing *this* wallpaper is *difficult*! (other was easy) Hints?

Dec 29, 2003 22 Replies

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montana 22 years ago

Bravo-

Have your DW help you remove the wallpaper next time. Her appetite for boarders will most likely be diminished.

Or, how about asking her if a stencil border wouldn't look better?

I'm in the middle of the worst wallpaper removal job I've ever come across & (as usual) I'm glad I don't have a gun... I believe wallpaper in kitchens is pure evil.

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Liesa 22 years ago

I'm in the process of removing 3 old layers of wallpaper from horse hair plaster walls. First I would say that I finally bought a cheap wagner steamer from Lowes and it's working great. The walls are in great condition considering the age of the house of 60 years. I'm impressed with the "hardness" of the existing plaster. I wouldn't consider painting over the wallpaper unless I was a worthless homeowner who planned on cheating the next owner. Sorry for the comment but I have ran into those types Just my 2 cents which can be worth a dollar or just 1/2 cent.

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David Combs 22 years ago

To make clear: only when diluted, with water, did it NOT work.

It did work, wonderfully (as compared to almost impossible, that is) "straight".

David

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