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Wallpaper woes

| Posted in General Discussion on April 29, 1999 04:44am

*
I am currently replacing some wallpaper in a commercial application. There are two layers. The first (outer) layer of vwc came off fairly easy. The second layer is real paper and it seems that no sizing was used and it is pasted right onto the drywall. The problem is that there are either remants of the vwc layer (backing) still stuck to the wall or the finish caoting of the paper layer has pulled off leaving a layer of paper only stuck to the drywall.

What to do? I’ve thought I might level some of the bad areas and holes with joint compound first. Then I might paint the wall then put the new VWC over taht so that it might come off later when needed. Problem is that I know the paste on the wall will make it near impossible to paint over. I am afrid that I can not wash it off because it will destroy the finish paper of the drywall.

I also thought that I might just paste the new over whats left of the old after i do a little leveling and hole filling and leave it at that.

Any ideas? Suggestions? Sympathies?

Pete Draganic

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  1. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 07:41am | #1

    *
    Sorry Pete only sympathy.

    I hate projects that involve removing layers of unknown wallpapers. Seems like it always takes 3 times as long as you quote for.

    Are you able to use steam on this wall?

    Gabe

    1. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 07:50am | #2

      *Only sympathies here. As I've well documented I'm taking a job. I only have a few things to clean up before I leave and let someone else worry about the money. What happens? I run into a couple of storm doors that I thought would net good money and they have been a nightmare. First, niether door fit as planned. Then, all was figured and there was incredible rot where the closer attached. I can fix it because I'm good, but I hate having to be the hero! I don't mean that there is not extra money available, I mean that, WHY am I the guy who has to point out the bad news and feel bad about charging them for it?I guess I don't have the sense to be in this business, I guess that is why I went more commercial.

      1. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 07:59am | #3

        *Gabe,The Paper wallpaper is pated right onto the paer of the drywall. I am afraid i will destroy the drywall paper if i steam it. Furthermore i would have trouble washing off the paste from the drywall paper so that I could size the wall for a proper application.JD,I know exactly what you mean. I usually eat those extras because I fell like some kinda sheister when I add on for those unforseen extras. They are justifiable but I still feel guilty. I still like being self-employeed. Out of curiosity, what is the new job offering as pay?Pete Draganic

        1. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 08:55am | #4

          *Pete,I ran into this once. I got the paper off, but not the glue. I finally skimmed over the whole thing with joint compound, primed, and put up new paper. That was a year ago, and as far as I know it is still fine.Rich Beckman

          1. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 03:43pm | #5

            *Rich,There is about 2100 sf. Not exactly what I want to skim. It has crossed my mind though but worried that it would not bond well to glue surface. I realize it is too big of an area to do this also.Pete Draganic

          2. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 05:24pm | #6

            *Pete,I have removed several layers of wallpaper, much of it painted, in sheets, even off un-painted drywall with out ripping the drywall paper layer with wallpaper remover called "Safe and Simple" . This guy has a web-site and was very helpful when we were removing many layers of paper from our walls.See his stuff at:http://www.safeandsimple.com/

          3. Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 08:23pm | #7

            *I have run into this problem also. Once when remodeling a McDonalds restaurant. You may have to skimcoat with joint compound, that what i had to do. I thinned it slightly and applied it with a paint roller. then removed the excess with a 12 inch knife. You dont have to leave much on the wall. Then used an oil base stain blocking primer, and new wall paper. Its been over a year and no problems yet.

          4. Guest_ | Apr 29, 1999 04:44am | #8

            *Pete,I have used a material called DIF with good luck in similar situations.(got it from ASTER PAINT in Akron)Good Luck,Stephen

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