Another Wallpaper Disaster. HELP!


  #1  
Old 12-28-18, 08:49 PM
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Another Wallpaper Disaster. HELP!

I apologize in advance if there is an answer somewhere out there, but I can't seem to find anything anywhere that helps solve my wallpaper issue!
To give a little background, this home was purchased in 2001 with all of its mystery wallpaper already adhered to the walls. Fast forward to 2018 when I have successfully removed wallpaper from 3 out of 4 rooms (so I have some experience by now!). Each room got slightly more difficult and required a new way to remove. First room, a steamer worked wonders! Second room, the steamer worked, but required a putty knife to scrape. Room 3, (what I thought was the worst) required a combo of everyone's favorites! Steamer, putty knife, scorer, home made fabric softener and hot water combo, and "chomp," the wallpaper stripper from home depot. It was only a border so it took only a couple hours to complete over a few days.
if you're still with me, THANK YOU! But this is where my real troubles begin...
The final room, just another border, the home stretch! Or so I thought...
I have tried every single method that has worked (and a different bottle of wallpaper remover) for the rest of the house. NOTHING WORKS!
Everything says to remove the top layer first, but this won't peel at all! I grab loose ends and they just break off. So I tried the scoring tool and some remover. The wallpaper remover needs to sit to release the glue, but by the time it has sat long enough to start scraping it has dried. (I'm talking dry in 5 minutes!) So I keep applying to keep it moist. It starts to peel! Except it's peeling down to the sheetrock and exposing it! So I try the homemade stuff, same result! And then I try the steam. Same! Everything keeps removing the paint too! I can't get anything off at all when it is dry, but the moment I have enough moisture to remove the wallpaper, the paint peels off too! I even tried the slow and steady pace, and it seems to be working! But only when I remove a 6x6 inch section. Any more and the wall becomes too saturated and begins to peel with just a scrape of my nails.
This appears to be an all paper wallpaper border and not a vinyl top border. And I think it may be glued on with satan's glue!
I really just need something that will remove the wallpaper, but not cause the sheetrock to be exposed. Any ideas?
Honestly, I know this is long, and I apologize, but please do not suggest the things I have already tried. Those are everywhere, in every search I've done, and that is why I am here, to try and see if there is another way! THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Desperate to Remove this 90's Floral Wallpaper
 
  #2  
Old 12-29-18, 03:04 AM
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Sometimes you just need to throw in the towel, apply an oil base primer, skim coat with joint compound, sand [texture if needed] and then prime and paint.
 
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Old 12-29-18, 06:59 AM
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That is another solution I keep seeing, but this is only a top border. Does it make sense to do that to an entire room for only a border?
 
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Old 12-29-18, 07:13 AM
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You'd only need to skim over the border, then texture if needed to make it blend with the rest of the wall.
 
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Old 12-30-18, 07:05 AM
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After soaking the wall with removal solution, cover the wet surface with painter's plastic sheeting. This will prevent the solution from drying on the wall while it is attacking the adhesive. Leave the wall covered and wet for as long as possible, peeling back the plastic long enough to spray another coating of removal solution and then recovering that area with the plastic sheeting again.
Work with an area 5' wide and floor to ceiling. Work to remove from the top down with a 4" Warner Wall Scraper with a handle. This is tedious work. Good slowly and learn the right angle for the blade-to-the-wall so that you don't gouge the surface. As you work the scraper, move the scraper in a slight arch so that you are "shaving" in a arch rather than "pushing" against directly against the wet paper.
As the sheet rock gets wet, the surface of the sheetrock gets wet and becomes easily damaged. Work slowly and sweep rather than push the scraper tool.
Hope that helps.
 
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Old 12-30-18, 10:45 AM
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I usually just give in and replace the wall board.
 
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Old 12-31-18, 12:32 PM
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I agree but, most homeowners/ DIYers aren't going there. Then, moldings and flooring become issues. Without some advanced degree of mechanical aptitude, not to mention additional funds for tools and without the precious time to spend in the process, wallboard replacement is a daunting task for many.
 
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Old 12-31-18, 03:01 PM
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If the wall wasn't sealed before the border was applied, the plaster/wallboard behind the border will absorb moisture just like a sponge. Have you tried sanding it off?
 
 

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