Stripping wallpaper - what is this in the photo and how to fix?

2992 Views 29 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ToolSeeker, Jan 10, 2013

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · Jan 7, 2013

Hi!

The previous owners put up textured wallpaper and painted it bright lime green and turquoise. Needless to say, it's got to go. I am using my handheld Shark steamer with part H2O part white vinegar. The wallpaper is coming of very easily, but there is paint underneath that is also coming off in some places.

Additionally, as I suspected, the walls are in need of some repair (is this called "skimming"?) Can someone take a look at these photos and tell me what this chalky feeling stuff crumbling off is? Our house is poured concrete - no drywall. The white still feels/looks like it might be plaster?

How do I repair the walls and the cracks so they are smooth again for priming and repainting? Any suggestions about what I should use? There are holes in some areas too.

Here's a link to pictures: http://imgur.com/a/izNlb#0

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

Brushjockey

· #2 · Jan 7, 2013

You might be overkilling with the steamer , but looks typical.
Make sure to clean off the paste as good as you can also-
then prime all with a sealer called Gardz-
then do any repair/ skimming
sand that smooth
reprime mud spots,
2 coats quality paint
yer golden!

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 7, 2013

Thanks! So I'm priming before repairing? What should I use to repair the walls?

Brushjockey

· #4 · Jan 7, 2013

There are a million threads on this here- btw-
The primer seals in the paste residue- very important
seals any damaged drywall- sometime repairing without this will cause the sheetrock paper to bubble.

use a premixed taping compound like Plus 3, and a wide (12" + 6" ) mud blade.

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 7, 2013

Thank you

chrisn

· #6 · Jan 7, 2013

handsforasl said:
Thanks! So I'm priming before repairing? What should I use to repair the walls?

I will jump in here in case brush has gone for the evemimg

Yes prime all( with Gardz) after paste removal and skim coating.
Skim with joint compound

Brushjockey

· #7 · Jan 7, 2013

Ah, Chris dude yer speel check brocken...lol ??:laughing:

Reactions: 2

jsheridan

· #8 · Jan 7, 2013

Brushjockey said:
Ah, Chris dude yer speel check brocken...lol ??:laughing:

You got the hammer down before I did:laughing:

Brushjockey

· #9 · Jan 7, 2013

Sorry Hands- got a inter forum thingy going on here- all in good fun..

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 7, 2013

Oh it's ok. I am not going to be able to find the primer you recommended locally. Will Zissner 123 work?

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 8, 2013

Nevermind, I realized when you said "seals in the paste residue" you meant the glue from the wallpaper. A friend was just telling me she thought she got all the glue off, but she didn't and it destroyed the paint job.

I will hunt around for the GARDZ. Thanks for all the help!

Brushjockey

· #12 · Jan 8, 2013

Actually not even close to as well. Lots of people have that problem, we've heard.
I can get it here at paint stores, Home Despot, Menards, Ace - it can be done with an internet buy.
in the old days we pros always used oil primers to do the same thing. Gardz does it as well with less odor and faster dry. But an oil like cover stain ( thinned a little w/ mineral spirits for penetration) will still get it done.

Brushjockey

· #13 · Jan 8, 2013

Here's another interforum tip... never call wallpaper paste- glue... the official watcher of wrong words ( that would be chrisn) will come down like a bolt of lightning! lol

Reactions: 2

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 8, 2013

Haha, thanks. I have two questions to just make sure I have everything straight. I actually have 5 gallons of KILZ (oil based) primer in the garage and some mineral spirits on hand. Theoretically I could use that to prime/seal the paste and walls before patching and smoothing? The benefit to using the KILZ would be I don't have to prime again before painting. I'm painting a light neutral and the walls are that salmon/pink color.

If the GARDZ would be better, I found two on Amazon. One is in a red container and the other is in a brown container. Which would be the one you recommend?

The KILZ is pretty smelly though. I'm in NY so it's 30 degrees out and not exactly prime for opening windows for ventilation.

Brushjockey

· #15 · Jan 8, 2013 (Edited)

The kilz would work- you know what that means though- so it's your call.

You will have to prime any mud repairs because it will suck the sheen out of your paint. This could be done rolling on a spot of the paint on the patch, let that dry a bit- then go for your 2 coats. Would not have to be kilz again.

As far as your Gardz links- same stuff- diff generation labels. One is a gal, other a qt though..

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 8, 2013

Yeah I think I'll skip the KILZ... Which GARDZ is the one I want? Red or brown?

Brushjockey

· #17 · Jan 8, 2013

Get the Gal- a little goes a long way- but is great stuff to have.
it is thin- so be careful getting the hang of it- it will spray like a ..whatever..

read the label. So many don't do that. it actually says good stuff to know.

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 8, 2013

Ok. The red gallon says it's "Damaged Drywall Sealer". The brown gallon says it's "High Performance Sealer". The high performance one is actually cheaper and I have Amazon Prime so it will be here in 2 days...

Brushjockey

· #19 · Jan 8, 2013

Brushjockey said:
The kilz would work- you know what that means though- so it's your call.

You will have to prime any mud repairs because it will suck the sheen out of your paint. This could be done rolling on a spot of the paint on the patch, let that dry a bit- then go for your 2 coats. Would not have to be kilz again.

As far as your Gardz links- same stuff- diff generation labels. One is a gal, other a qt though..

I think you missed this..

handsforasl

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 8, 2013

Oh you're right I did. Sorry about that. Sounds like a plan. Thank you so much for all of the guidance. I feel much less stressed about this now and can enjoy the process. It's pretty labor intensive, but it's honestly not nearly as bad as the contractors who came through said it would be so for that I'm grateful!

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.