Interior Painting - Wallpaper

[ratech]

I'm looking to paint the interior of an old house, but the thing is pretty much covered head to toe in detoriating wall paper. Has anybody ever removed wall paper and all the glue without wrecking the drywall. Thanks for the help.

[Temporary_User]

I've never done it, but google makes it seem like its fairly simple. Probably just takes a bit of time and patience.
http://www.ehow.com/how_221_remove-wallpaper.html

[redforever]

It usually is not "fairly simple" (( It will help if your walls were properly primed before they put on the wallpaper, if not, it is gonna be a long haul.

With most vinyls, the top layer pulls off easily leaving the paper backing behind. Then usually if you soak with hot water, the paper backing comes off without too much effort, depends on the type of glue.

Try a small area and see what happens. If it seems it is gonna be a mess and a huge job, then buy enzyme wallpaper removers. What they do is soften up the original glue that was on the wall paper and that facilitates removal.

Some people make up some solution, using liquid fabric softener and claim that works too, but the proportions of what you use escape me, sorry.

[Flames_Gimp]

how old is the house?

[Biff]

My wife absolutely swears by a product called DIF. Says it works like a charm for getting off the backing. I seem to think you smear it on the existing wallpaper and it soaks through to help both layers come off when you pull on it.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Biff

My wife absolutely swears by a product called DIF. Says it works like a charm for getting off the backing. I seem to think you smear it on the existing wallpaper and it soaks through to help both layers come off when you pull on it.

DIF is an enzyme wallpaper remover that softens the glue.

[ratech]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

how old is the house?

The house is 35 years old and some of the paper is the same age.