Remove 1940s wallpaper applied with real wallpaper glue.

Ecl29323739
by Ecl29323739
Old paper, not plastic like newer paper, but applied to rough plaster - need ideas for fast and simple way to remove this. Thank you.

  11 answers
  • Catherine Anspaugh Catherine Anspaugh on Oct 07, 2017

    This will not be a fast and easy process I'm afraid. Use a bucket of warm water with a little bit of dish soap. Soak the paper with a clean cloth. Let it soak a few minutes then begin scraping with a wide paint scraper. Keep applying the soap solution as needed and scrape your little heart out.

    • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 14, 2017

      Mission Accomplished! We first tried the hint which stated to first score the paper with the Tiger tool and then add fabric softener to hot water and use a spray bottle to apply. It worked so great that we did not try any other method. One person completed a 12’ x 12’ room with 10.5’ ceilings in 6 hours from prep through cleanup! And I am saving all the hints for the room we will tackle next, so a big thank you to all my helpful Hometalker friends out there!

  • Sue25278845 Sue25278845 on Oct 07, 2017

    I mix fabric softener with water in a spray bottle. Spray area thoroughly, let it sit until the paper glue releases, and peel and scrape. You'll need to allow the walls to thoroughly dry, several days- week and prime before you paint or repaper.


    • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 14, 2017

      We first tried the hint which stated to first score the paper with the Tiger tool and then add fabric softener to hot water and use a spray bottle to apply. It worked so great that we did not try any other method. One person completed a 12’ x 12’ room with 10.5’ ceilings in 6 hours from prep through cleanup! And I am saving all the hints for the room we will tackle next, so a big thank you to all my helpful Hometalker friends out there!

  • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 07, 2017

    Thanks for your quick response - sounds like the voice of experience! Wish me luck!

  • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 07, 2017

    Thanks, Sue! I will try your method, also. Do you have any idea how much fabric softener per gallon of water?

    • See 1 previous
    • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 14, 2017

      We first tried the hint which stated to first score the paper with the Tiger tool and then add fabric softener to hot water and use a spray bottle to apply. It worked so great that we did not try any other method. One person completed a 12’ x 12’ room with 10.5’ ceilings in 6 hours from prep through cleanup! And I am saving all the hints for the room we will tackle next, so a big thank you to all my helpful Hometalker friends out there!

  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 08, 2017

    First tape off plastic drop cloths on the floor up to top of baseboards, Then run the scoring tool over the paper heavily in big overlapping circles.

    When I used to do a lot of stripping paper off plaster, I used a professional steamer. You can rent them at an equipment rental place. Since you say the plaster underneath is rough, I would get a large fairly stiff brush with a handle to knock off any extra bits of paper backing and glue that doesn't come off.

    if quite a bit is still on, I would use use fabric softner in hot water. Then use a car sponge in the hot solution over a tray in the other hand and saturate the remaining paper backing and glue. Let sit on section 10-20 mins. while you move to next section,then go back to first section and use your brush to knock it off. I would lay down some newspaper along the walls so its not slippery and absorbs any excess solution.

    • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 14, 2017

      We first tried the hint which stated to first score the paper with the Tiger tool and then add fabric softener to hot water and use a spray bottle to apply. It worked so great that we did not try any other method. One person completed a 12’ x 12’ room with 10.5’ ceilings in 6 hours from prep through cleanup! And I am saving all the hints for the room we will tackle next, so a big thank you to all my helpful Hometalker friends out there!

  • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 08, 2017

    Thank you, Sharon, for all the tips - I will try it all and see what works best in my situation. It looks and sounds like a daunting task, but that paper has to go!

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 08, 2017

    If you can't remove it, put a sealer or primer coat on it and either paper or paint over it.

    • See 1 previous
    • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 14, 2017

      We first tried the hint which stated to first score the paper with the Tiger tool and then add fabric softener to hot water and use a spray bottle to apply. It worked so great that we did not try any other method. One person completed a 12’ x 12’ room with 10.5’ ceilings in 6 hours from prep through cleanup! And I am saving all the hints for the room we will tackle next, so a big thank you to all my helpful Hometalker friends out there!

  • Debra Evans Debra Evans on Oct 08, 2017

    Sorry but nothing is fast or easy removing wallpaper on rough plaster. A solution of liquid fabric softener and water sprayed on after using a wallpaper cutter will soften the glue and you can scrap but it will require time and patience to get it all off.

    • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 08, 2017

      Yes, Debra, after reading all these responses, I am beginning to think this is going to be a real experience, so I am dreading it, but will start tomorrow and see what happens. Thanks for your thoughts!

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 08, 2017

    LooMy answer was from experience...I bought an old house with wallpaper over plaster....was IMPOSSIBLE to remove so I prepped the existing paper then used a white primer and both papered and painted....

  • Ecl29323739 Ecl29323739 on Oct 14, 2017

    We first tried the hint which stated to first score the paper with the Tiger tool and then add fabric softener to hot water and use a spray bottle to apply. It worked so great that we did not try any other method. One person completed a 12’ x 12’ room with 10.5’ ceilings in 6 hours from prep through cleanup! And I am saving all the hints for the room we will tackle next, so a big thank you to all my helpful Hometalker friends out there!