How to Prepare a Wall for Paint After Removing Wallpaper

When removing wallpaper and preparing the walls for painting, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that you end up with a beautiful finish. After all, wallpaper can leave a messy residue behind that will ruin your paint job. Consider the following tools and steps to complete the job correctly.

Step One - Scrape the Glue

When scraping wallpaper you will find there is usually bits of paper and glue residue left behind. If you lightly mist the wall with a mixture of water and dish soap, these particles will scrape off very easy.

Step Two - Wash the Wall

After you have removed all of the wallpaper pieces, you will need to wash the walls. Use the old rags to wash and dry the area. Begin with one rag and quickly wash a small area. Next use a dry rag to dry the area that was just washed. This will ensure that the wall does not become overly wet.

Step Three - Patch and Repair

After all of the wallpaper is removed you need to check for any holes or damaged areas. These holes may be a result of nails or you could have dents that are a result of scraping the wallpaper. When you find these spots you will want to use a drywall mud to fill in the holes or dents. This mud is available at any home improvement store. You can use a putty knife to smooth the mud into the holes or dents. Once the mud has dried, lightly sand the area to create a smooth surface.  

Step Four - Prime the Surface

Wallpaper is often used to hide imperfections in a wall surface. Therefore, it is imperative that you prime the wall before painting. Use a product such as Kilz to ensure that your surface is free of stains that might shine through your new paint finish.