How do I remove wallpaper glue that was painted over?

Chris
by Chris

I hired a person to remove bathroom wall paper and pain the walls. The person did not remove the glue off the drywall and painted over it. Now the glue appears to be coming through. Any ideas on how to get rid of the glue. Shall I scrub the walls with tri-sodium phosphate?

  4 answers
  • Jill Ron Pike Jill Ron Pike on Dec 04, 2018

    You can try the tri-sodium phosphate, but my first instinct would be to grab a drywall scraper, scrape that top layer of painted-over glue and get the surface as smooth as you can. Wipe the walls with a damp cloth. Follow that with a light sanding, another damp cloth rinse, let dry overnight, then re-paint.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Dec 04, 2018

    If it is painted over I don't think it will work. Is it smooth or lumpy? If lumpy will have to sand off, prime with stain blocker and repaint. If just discolored you'll need to prime with a stain blocker like Kilz. Maybe 2 coats , then repaint. Sorry this happened to you. Turn them in to the BBB if they don't make it right. Wonder if they even primed it.


    • See 1 previous
    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Dec 04, 2018

      Chris,

      I'm Linda. If that happened to me, I'd call the paint contractor and ask them to come back to fix the problem. You hired and paid them for a professional job. They didn't do a professional job so they should either come fix it or refund your money. When you call, be "professional" with your wording and state that you expect them to come finish the job. If they have a company, they should certainly do that. If they refuse, that's a different story. One thing that has always worked for me in situations like this involving a company, is to write to the Attorney General from your State. Explain that the person didn't do a professional job and won't fix it or refund your money. You'd be surprised at how well that works. Of course, if the person was not with a company but just paints for extra money. this might not work. However, there is always small claims court. Be sure to take an estimate of the cost to fix the problem when you go. Good luck!

  • Pg Pg on Dec 04, 2018

    I would also use a good primer before painting, so there is much less chance of bleed through of color from any glue pigment that may still be there. Just my opinion. I would not want to solve the issue only to come back and have to do more to it again. I always think, better safe than sorry.

    • Chris Chris on Dec 04, 2018

      Thank you for the response, I have more work to do when I was hoping it would be less hiring someone

  • Pg Pg on Dec 04, 2018

    The person who suggested calling the contractor and having him make it right is correct. It is not right how one ends up doing someone else's job, especially after paying for that job. If he can't do it, then tell him to hire someone else to do it. Otherwise.....