Walpaper Glue Is Bonded to Wall - How to Remove?

[KC]

The wallpaper came off easily, in large sheets the way it was put up. The tan - light brown glue that remained on the plaster walls is much, much harder to remove. Every wallpaper remover I've tried says to apply the product then sponge or scrape away the remaining glue. That technique does not work with whatever is on my wall.

Currently I am spraying a near boiling mixture of 50% water and 50% white vinegar on the walls and waiting a minute or two, then using an abrasive wheel in my power drill motor on the walls. This seems to take the residue off, but the process is really slow. In addition, this still leaves small amounts of the wallpaper adhesive on the wall. Which is a problem, because I have been told the surface must be completely free of the old adhesive to ensure that any paint applied to the walls will adhere properly.

Any suggestions or methods to try in removing this past would be appreciated.

[Hopkins]

I always use DIF/hot water and those green scratch pads, and haven't had too much trouble. Seems maybe I haven't run into what you've run into.

As for painting, you could always prime with an oil-base primer. I'd still try to get the heavy spots of glue.

[John]

We had a similar situation. Gave in and bought a $50 wallpaper remover steamer. Works fantastic! Much cleaner and faster. Walls are not nearly as dinged up due to much less scraping.

-jeff

[Mikepier]

I also used the DIF solution with hot water. . Also , do you use the paper tiger tool that puts holes in the wallpaper? That helps a lot for the solution to soak the wallpaper. The trick is to let the solution do the work for you without letting it dry to the point that its harder to remove the wallpaper.. First use the paper tiger, then soak the wall with DIF and hot water. Wait 15 minutes, the soak it again, wait about 10 minutes. Then it should come off easy. You can find all of the DIF products right here:

[SteveB]

Save your money on DIF and like products. Use a paper tiger and warm water. Spray and let sit for about ten minutes. Spray and let sit again. The trick is to let it sit until it gets the glue wet. Then scrape LIGHTLY or peel. The best scraper I had was an old metal spatula that had just the right spring to it and edge.

There is NO easy way to do this. Spraying and waiting is the best.

Go over it once you're finished to get all the snot blobs of glue and paper so your paint job will look better.

I have done three houses. Don't ask me why. But, I have found what works best. And that is hot water and waiting.

Steve

[Duane Bozarth]

Assuming it is wallpaper paste and not that somebody used some non-water-soluble something to put it up with, as John noted if you have a really heavy layer and large area, the steamer may well be worth renting...

It's possible to rig up a steamer yourself, but much more awkward---don't be over cheap here, is my recommendation.

[clemke]

Thanks everyone for the advice. You pretty much confirmed what I suspected and Steve B. pointed out, that there is no easy way to do this task I am going try a steamer and just slog through the job.

[Jmagerl]

I had to remove 3 layers of wallpaper plus 1 layer of inner paint. All held on with some of the most insidious glue you every saw. I bought a $50 Black and Decker wall paper steamer. I figured even if it broke after I finished the room it would still be worth the investment. It worked like a champ. Saved a lot of cussing. Its got my vote. To remove the left over paste, Hot water and a barbeque grill cleaning pad. (3M scotch brite pads also work - the courser the better). I liked the barbeque pad because it had a handle on it. Scrub and wash until you cant feel the glue slime and than wash once more with TSP.

[SteveB]

Steaming can be good. I just like spraying water on there, and then coming back in ten minutes. My arms go numb if I hold them up that long with a steamer. For a sprayer, you can use the garden type (about $20) and then use it for bug or garden spray. The hand spray bottles are cheap or free. Steaming will be a lot of work, unless you just want some free workout time.

Put on some music ............. Mozart ........... Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks ......... Merle Haggard ............. Smashing Pumpkins .................... whatever gets you through the wallpaper. ;-)

[Hopkins]

paper tiger tool that puts holes in the wallpaper? That helps a lot for the solution to soak the wallpaper.>Save your money on DIF and like products. Use a paper tiger and warm water.

[SteveB]

"Hopkins" wrote

And I have to agree with you on that, too. Wallpaper glues can vary. A common one is cellulose, which is a plant material. When wet, it is gooey, and dry, it is hard. I think it is about the easiest to get off. I am sure that in this world of new products there are glues made of things we'd rather not know about. And I am sure that one size does not fit all with regards to solutions that interact and make them gooey again.

Hot water, DIF, vinegar, stale tomcat piss, whatever makes yer wallpaper sticky.

Hot water worked for me, but had I been in another region where temperature, humidity, or whatever originally called for the use of another type of glue, I mightn't be touting plain warm water.

Steve