Interior Painting Amador County, CA: How to Remove Wallpaper Covered With Paint
Interior Painting Amador County, CA: How to Remove Wallpaper Covered With Paint
Many older houses in Amador County, CA have wallpaper covered with one or more layers of paint.
The best way to remove it is to scratch the wallpaper, then moisten it and finally scrape it off.
If the wallpaper is relatively old and there are several coats of paint, it may also be necessary to replace the underlying plasterboard.
Here is a quick look at how to remove interior house wallpaper that is covered with paint.
Prepare For the Process
Removing wallpaper covered with paint is not an easy task.
However, if you have the necessary equipment before you start, it will greatly facilitate your work.
Generally, you need the following;
- A wire brush to scratch the wallpaper. There is also a special tool fitted with toothed rollers which allows you to scrape the paper without damaging the underlying wall.
- Liquid spray stripper or a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% water.
- A sponge
- A spray bottle
- A tool for scraping (spatula)
Consider renting a steam stripper
If the room is relatively large or if the wallpaper is covered with several layers of paint, it may be more advantageous to use a stripper rather than removing everything by hand. DIY stores rent this type of tool.
The stripper is made up of a container that you fill with water to create steam.
You then direct this vapor towards the wallpaper, which then peels off.
Lay the Canvas on the Ground and Cover Furniture
Removing the wallpaper will dirty the room.
Remains of flaking paint, strips of wallpaper and dust will quickly accumulate and become lodged in all the pockets and crevices available in the ground (joints, for example) and on furniture.
Protect your work area with a canvas and cover nearby furniture with used clothing or sheets.
Remove the cover plates from the switches and the covers from the electrical outlets. This will make it easier to take off the wallpaper beneath these elements.
In any case, turn off the power in your work area.
Make Cuts In The Wallpaper Using Your Claw Tool
Press with enough force to puncture the paper (and pass through the layers of paint), but be careful not to damage the wall.
You can use a scouring pad if you don’t have a specific tool.
Do not start working on all the walls at once.
Instead, proceed in zones of 1 to 2 m² wide.
Since you will probably have to remove the paper strip by strip, this will save you time.
Steam/Moisten The Walls
On the previously scratched area, use the steam stripper or apply the liquid stripper.
To use steam, direct the equipment towards the wall and move it slowly so that steam penetrates the wallpaper until the glue dissolves.
To apply the liquid stripper, use a sponge and a spray bottle.
The paper must be well impregnated for the glue to dissolve and you can remove it.
Let the product act for a few minutes.
Start Peeling Off Wallpaper
Take a strip of wallpaper by a corner and pull gently.
The wet paper should come off easily.
If not, iron with steam or reapply liquid stripper.
Repeat the operation several times if necessary.
When the paper starts to peel off, use a spatula or painter’s knife to help you remove the paper without tearing it.
Go to the next area and repeat the operations until you remove as much wallpaper material as possible.
If you’re transitioning from wallpaper to paint and need help to repaint your home interior, Michael Hines Painting can help.
Call us at 209-256-4587 to book a FREE estimate, and let us help you enhance the interior of your home because you have better ways to spend your weekend! 🙂
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Galt House Painter, our other company based on Galt, CA providing the same high-quality painting with the best finish to everyone.
