Painting Over Wallpaper Underlay

OREGATO

Hi all,

Just wanted some advice, we are currently stripping the bedroom wallpaper, think it was only put down two years ago.

When ripping off the wall paper (slowly), we noticed that there was some sort of underlay beneath the wall paper. Some of the wall paper came off this cleanly but in places, it sort of took some of the underlay with it. In saying that though, it didn't peal all the way through to the bottom.

My question is, is it possible to leave that underlay stuff on, sand down the imperfect parts and paint over it? Or is it best to rip that layer completely off, exposing the plaster? I guess if we can get away with not ripping the bottom layer that would be ideal as taking it off could damage the plaster although at the same time, we don't want to end up having the underlay peal off or rip later down the line.

Its a thickish wall paper with flowery designs.

Any advice or experience would be great.

Thanks,

dodzy

OREGATO wrote: »

Hi all,

Just wanted some advice, we are currently stripping the bedroom wallpaper, think it was only put down two years ago.

When ripping off the wall paper (slowly), we noticed that there was some sort of underlay beneath the wall paper. Some of the wall paper came off this cleanly but in places, it sort of took some of the underlay with it. In saying that though, it didn't peal all the way through to the bottom.

My question is, is it possible to leave that underlay stuff on, sand down the imperfect parts and paint over it? Or is it best to rip that layer completely off, exposing the plaster? I guess if we can get away with not ripping the bottom layer that would be ideal as taking it off could damage the plaster although at the same time, we don't want to end up having the underlay peal off or rip later down the line.

Its a thickish wall paper with flowery designs.

Any advice or experience would be great.

Thanks,

that underlay you refer to is the back of the wallpaper. Get a steamer to remove everything prior to painting. Don't paint over this as it will look shít.

vickers209

A trick I was shown as a kid to get the underlay off get a empty spray bottle ie windowleen or counter type spray bottle fill it with warm water and spray onto the overlay.

Give it a few minutes to soak then get a scraper and it should peal off easy enough

CarrickMcJoe

vickers209 wrote: »

A trick I was shown as a kid to get the underlay off get a empty spray bottle ie windowleen or counter type spray bottle fill it with warm water and spray onto the overlay.

Give it a few minutes to soak then get a scraper and it should peal off easy enough

+ 1 . No need for steamer. That backing paper will strip easily.

dodzy

CarrickMcJoe wrote: »

+ 1 . No need for steamer. That backing paper will strip easily.

The whole stripping process is far easier with a steamer. Obviously, the hard bit is done now and as you say, they backing paper is the easy part but if its a job that will extend to other rooms in the house, a €30 spend will prove a worthwhile investment

OREGATO

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

We were thinking of leaving it on and painting over it but after reading this thread, I think it makes sense to do it properly and strip the old paper off first. We bought a cheap steamer from Argos for the job as well and we're half way through the room already which is great!

Thanks again.

dodzy

OREGATO wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

We were thinking of leaving it on and painting over it but after reading this thread, I think it makes sense to do it properly and strip the old paper off first. We bought a cheap steamer from Argos for the job as well and we're half way through the room already which is great!

Thanks again.

You wont regret it....unless the walls underneath are in bits;) Hope the revamp goes well

OREGATO

dodzy wrote: »

You wont regret it....unless the walls underneath are in bits;) Hope the revamp goes well

Cheers, its gone well so far and no chunks taken out of the wall. Shouldn't admit it but the oh did the room herself today while I was at work. Next step is to paint!