How can I take wallpaper off my wall that had been painted over?

Janine
by Janine
  7 answers
  • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Nov 08, 2017

    It will probably be a tough job, but you can try scoring the paper with a wallpaper "tiger"...it is a little rolling tool that leaves tiny hols in the old wallpaper. Then, use a sponge to sponge on warm, soapy water, and let it seep through the holes to help loosen the wallpaper glue behind the paint. Then, carefully try to peel and scrape off all the paper. Wipe the walls with a clean sponge to remove any glue residue.

    • See 1 previous
    • Michele Pappagallo Michele Pappagallo on Nov 09, 2017

      I'm not sure how you could remove the paint first...unless it is thick enough to peel off possibly? I am wondering if you tiger it enough to let the solution get behind the paper itself, if the paper will peel off with the paint still attached. It might be worth it to test a small area just to see what happens. It is a shame that somebody did that because it is always such a big problem to fix it. :(

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Nov 08, 2017

    Hi Janice,

    This "handyman" site recommends using vinegar and fabric softener with the water to use for soaking the wallpaper. It also gives an alternate to the "tiger" if you don't have one, you can try a wire brush. Hope that helps.


    https://www.mrhandyman.com/tips-ideas/drywall-walls/how-to-remove-painted-wallpaper/


  • Donna Klabunde Donna Klabunde on Nov 08, 2017

    steamer

    • Janine Janine on Nov 08, 2017

      My husband told me that a steamer my not penetrate the wallpaper, because it was painted ove.

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Nov 08, 2017

    Start with a paint tray. Fill it with hot water.buy a long handle to attach a roller. You can find it in hardware store. Attach it, and roll the roller in the hot water, dragging off excess water. Roll from the bottom up, make it nice and wet, don't saturate the wall. Next, wait a few minutes and scrape the wall from the bottom up with a large putty knife. When your done, wash the glue off the walls with warm water and a sponge.

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Nov 09, 2017

    Janine, I also saw your response to Michele - or should I say your husband's response about removing the paint before the wallpaper. If you get most kinds of paint remover, you house is going to stink unless you can provide adequate ventilation. For me inside the house, that means all doors and windows open and all fans on. If you don't have fans you will need at least 1 or 2. Paint remover is not fun to use. It's messy and when my hubby tried, he ended up gouging the piece he was working on. On the plus side, the paint remover will probably also remove the wallpaper but you will have a stinky mess on your hands. Plus you'll need to wash and wash all of the paint remover off of your walls before you can paint again. Just my thoughts.

    • Dan30593042 Dan30593042 on Nov 24, 2017

      I would try to open a small area in the wallpaper in an upper corner of the wall and then with a sopping-wet hot watered sponge, saturate the wall area behind the aperture....wait a while ....then with a thin knife behind the opening, rip a section off, then do it again to the exposed border with new application, gravity will help with the hot water behind to loosened glue......hopefully in a short time, good luck.

      PS. strong chemical not that good of an idea, especially gasoline ,.......just kidding

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2020

    You can sand it

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Sep 12, 2021

    Use an electric Steamer and a Wallpaper Striping knife. It will take more time, but it is possible.