How can you get wallpaper off of unpainted dry wall without damage?

  8 answers
  • Score and steam. Since the walls were not painted or primed, no matter what you do, there may still be some damage. You are now paying for other people's mistakes.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jun 18, 2018

    Naomie is right. Prepare for the repairs, and be sure to prime this time, whether you are painting or wallpapering.

  • Missy Burch Missy Burch on Jun 18, 2018

    We had that mess in my house when I moved in. Prepare for an ordeal. It is going to be messy. You will have to do repair after sadly.

  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 19, 2018

    I have removed wallpaper from a dozen rooms and never once did it come right off without damage. But I quickly learned what to buy to make the job of repairing the wall easier.


    Use the drywall patching compound that is "whipped"...it comes in small and large containers and you can make sure you have the easy to use kind when you pick it up...it weighs about 1/3 the weight.


    Smooth down the compound with a putty knife as best you can...do not mound it because it will be just more work.


    Then use sanding screen to sand it smooth (much easier to use and cuts the compound with less effort).


    Here is a link showing the different kinds of compound and screen.


    https://www.homedepot.com/s/drywall%2520compound?NCNI-5


    https://www.homedepot.com/s/drywall%2520sanding%2520screen?NCNI-5

  • Merrily Clifford Merrily Clifford on Jun 19, 2018

    Buy a scorer — a plastic palm sized tool that has little jagged wheels that run over the wallpaper, putting tiny holes in the paper to allow the steam and water to get in. I use a product meant to remove wallpaper, and spray it over the scored paper. Then use a steamer on the sprayed area for a few minutes. Gently scrape the paper until an edge near the seam comes up, then gently pull off the paper. If it still adheres to the wall, continue to spray and steam. The combination of the product and steam will get the paper off, but it’s a lot of work. I’ve become a confirmed painter after removing not to my taste wallpaper! Good luck!


  • Moe28846011 Moe28846011 on Jun 19, 2018

    vinegar and water in a spray bottle works. let soak in then peel right off


  • Linda Wiesner Linda Wiesner on Jun 19, 2018

    If the paper is on really tight and seams are tight, you can put Shields by Zinneser and seal it up by painting this on as a primer. If it dries flat, you can paint a top coat. If it bubbles you'll have to remove it.

  • Kathy Kathy on Jun 19, 2018

    If at all possible paint the wallpaper instead of trying to peel it off. If you peel it off you will have a big mess and you will end up having to refinish the wall by skim coating the entire wall.