[Tab1975]

Hi everyone! New to the board and had to ask some advice after doing to internet research.

I'm about to begin a daunting task - I bought a house about two years ago that was built in the 1930's. The wallpaper in my bedroom is said to be the original wallpaper put up in the house when it was built. The paper's in great shape - it's just not very pleasing to the eye. I would love to have the room painted.

Here's my problem - I have never removed wallpaper before, and being this is so old, I'm half afraid to. Also note that the windows in the house are painted shut so I have no ventilation.

Any advice or am I in over my head and need to just live with the ugly wallpaper?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob Mariani]

Get the proper tools. Tiger .. used to rough up the wallpaper to allow the wallpaper remover to penetrate and loosen the glue. And rent a steamer used to remove wallpaper. And a painters flat blade scraper to strip off the paper.

 

[jms]

Not over your head at all
Takes time and don't be in hurry because it won't happen over night
Take one wall or half a wall or 1/4 of a wall at a time and listen to the other posted and you will be fine. before you know it you will be painting. Then enjoying your new room.

 

[chrisn]

Normally the older the paper the easier it is to remove,especially if it is real paper paper.

http://www.wallpaperinstaller.com/wallpaper_stripping.html

 

[Stillwerkin]

Just got finished with this type of job with old, old, wallpaper.
Not a lot of fun. Half peeled right off, and the other half was an inch-by-inch process.

I used chemical stripper only, instead of renting a steamer.
I tried wetting the wall with a sponge and used a heat gun which helped, somewhat, in removing the paper layer. Another application of stripper helped take off the glue layer.

-Definitly use the "paper-tiger" tool for penetration. I also bought the scraper tool with legs and a handle which worked somewhat-well with a little periodic filing to sharpen up the edge.

-Also, only do one complete section at a time.
I'm thinking that in the areas I didn't scrape right away the glue liquifyed and soaked back into the drywall, bonding everything together.

-Most importantly, use a good step ladder with no twisting and no wobble to get in close.

 

[Tab1975]

Thank you all so much for all your help! It's slow going but thanks to your suggestions, I'm getting it done!

 

[chrisn]

Just got finished with this type of job with old, old, wallpaper.
Not a lot of fun. Half peeled right off, and the other half was an inch-by-inch process.

Was it foil?

 

[Dana11]

Wow! paper still good from the 30's. pretty amazed at this. but as you dont like it than i guess it has to be removed. the quality of the glue and the paper must be extra strong have not been in such a situation.before.

Glue n the walls need to be dampened so that the paper comes off easily but i think its gonna be tough cause it has remained intact for more than 65 years.

good luck with it!

Dana
http://www.ninaathome.com/