How To Strip Painted Wallpaper

Painted wallpaper is a versatile design option, but it can be a pain to remove. When you’re ready to update your home decor, you can take on this project yourself with a few simple tools and some muscle. In our guide, we’ll tell you how to strip painted wallpaper, why it’s hard to remove it, and what you can do to prep your wall for its next design phase. We’ve also included a video featuring This Old House’s painting contractor Jim Clark, who demonstrates effective methods for tackling this task.

Why Is Painted Wallpaper Challenging To Remove?

Although it’s hard to remove, this is the type of job most homeowners can take on even if they don’t have much do-it-yourself (DIY) experience. Here’s why painted wallpaper resists removal techniques:

• Moisture has difficulty penetrating the painted surface.
• The additional layer of paint can make the wallpaper more rigid and prone to tearing.
• The paint seals the wallpaper, making it less porous.
• Traditional wallpaper removal solutions may be less effective due to the paint barrier.

Tools and Materials To Strip Painted Wallpaper

You’ll need the following items when you’re ready to strip your painted wallpaper:

• Buckets
• Drop cloths
• Hot water
• Liquid wallpaper stripper
• Protective eyewear and gloves
• Pump sprayer
• Putty knife
• Scouring pads
• Scraper
• Wallpaper scoring tool
• Wallpaper steamer

Preparing the Room

You can remove painted wallpaper without damaging your wall by following the steps outlined in this guide, starting with preparing the space, which includes:

1. Remove all the furniture from the room or you can move it into the center and cover it with drop cloths.
2. Cover the floor with drop cloths to protect it from water and debris.
3. Turn off the electricity in the room and remove outlet covers and switch plates.
4. Open windows for ventilation since some wallpaper strippers have strong odors.

Best Way to Strip Painted Wallpaper

To achieve the best results, follow these detailed steps:

Scoring the Wallpaper

Making small perforations in the wallpaper will make it easier for the stripper or steam to penetrate the wallpaper and soften the adhesive underneath. To do this, you:

1. Use a wallpaper scoring tool to roll over the entire area.
2. Apply gentle pressure to create tiny holes, but be careful that you don’t puncture the wall. 
3. Pay extra attention to corners and edges where the wallpaper may be more firmly adhered.

Applying Wallpaper Stripper

A wallpaper solution breaks down the adhesive that helps the wallpaper stick to the wall. If you keep the wallpaper wet with it, it’ll be easier to scrape the wallpaper off. Take these steps to prepare the solution and apply it to the wall:

1. Mix liquid wallpaper stripper with hot water in a garden sprayer based on the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Apply the solution generously to the scored wallpaper using the garden sprayer.
3. Work in sections, allowing the solution to soak in for the recommended time.

Scraping and Steaming

Now that you’ve let the solution soften the adhesive, you can start scraping it off. Here’s how:

1. Use a putty knife or paint scraper to peel away the softened wallpaper.
2. Try out an electric steamer on stubborn areas. It’ll help to loosen the adhesive. 
3. Hold the steamer plate against the wall for about 30 seconds before scraping again.

Removing Residual Wallpaper and Glue

You may find that some of the wallpaper adhesive didn’t come off after all that scraping and steaming. Follow the advice below if you’ve found some adhesive on the wall. 

1. Reapply wallpaper stripper to any leftover adhesive and wallpaper.
2. Use a putty knife or scraper to remove the remaining bits of wallpaper.
3. Scrub the wall with a coarse scrubber pad and clean water to remove glue residue.
4. Continue scraping and cleaning until the wall is smooth,

Dealing with Stubborn Wallpaper

If after taking all the steps above, you still can’t get that wallpaper off your walls, we have some tips: 

• Consider renting professional-grade equipment for large or particularly difficult jobs.
• Mix fabric softener and hot water as an alternative to commercial strippers.
• Repeat the process several times if you’re trying to remove multiple layers. 
• Use a steamer for longer periods if you’re having trouble removing larger sections. 

Repairing Wall Damage

Not only is removing painted wallpaper difficult, you may end up damaging the wall during the process, but you can fix most issues by yourself. Here are some tips:

• Apply a primer to the entire wall surface before painting or hanging new wallpaper.
• Fill small holes or dents with spackling compound.
• Sand the areas until they’re smooth once they have dried.
• Use joint compound and drywall tape for larger damaged areas.

Cleaning and Preparing the Wall

You can clean and prepare the wall for the next finish by taking these steps: 

1. Rinse the walls thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining stripper or adhesive.
2. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe down the walls, changing the water frequently.
3. Allow the walls to dry completely, which may take 24 to 48 hours depending on humidity levels.
4. Inspect the dry walls for any damage or imperfections that may need repair before painting or re-wallpapering.
5. Perform a final inspection to ensure all adhesive and wallpaper residues are completely removed.
6. Apply a primer suitable for your wall type to provide a base for the new paint or wallpaper.
7. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly before proceeding with your new wall treatment.

Stripping Painted Wallpaper: Our Conclusion

Stripping painted wallpaper is a labor-intensive process, but most DIYers can take on this type of project regardless of experience level. We recommend you ventilate the room to avoid inhaling stripper solution fumes and be patient as you work your way through the room.