Stripping old wallpaper

08 Jan 2015

It’s a new year – time to rid your walls of that hideously outdated wallpaper? The task is not as daunting as you might think. Follow Resene’s expert step-by-step guide.

You’ll need
100 grit zinc steareated sandpaper
PAL No.4 roller sleeve
220 grit zinc steareated sandpaper
Paper Tiger Wallpaper Stripper
25mm flat bladed scraper
Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal
35-50mm Resene brush
Resene Sureseal and Turps
75mm broad knife scraper
Roller handle and tray
Hi solids roller sleeve
Selleys Rapid Filla
Metylan Wallpaper Liquid Stripper

Add-ons – to make the job easier/quicker
Aluminium extension pole
Pole sander
Good heavy duty dropsheet

1) Start by scouring the wall using a Paper Tiger Wallpaper Stripper.

2) Follow by wetting the area you are stripping thoroughly, about 5-6m² at a time, using Metylan Wallpaper Remover. Work from the bottom to the top.

3) Using a flat bladed scraper, remove the damp paper.

4) Apply Resene Moss & Mould Killer if the substrate has mould spores present, then sand with 100 grit zinc stearated sandpaper.

5) Fill any holes, dents and cracks using Selleys Rapid Filla and lightly sand with 220 grit zinc stearated sandpaper.

6) Apply Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal – consider a second application if the wall is severely dented or damaged.

7) Sand again with the 220 grit zinc stearated sandpaper.

8) Finish by applying Resene Sureseal.

Did you know…  you can now create your own wallpaper using Resene WallPrint. Simply upload your high-quality photo and create a perfectly sized feature for your wall. See www.wallprint.co.nz or your Resene ColorShop for more details.

Handy tips
-Mix the Metalyn and warm water and apply using a brush (a household brush will be fine) and/or a garden sprayer.

-The key is to ensure the wallpaper is thoroughly soaked with the stripper. Cuts made by the Paper Tiger allow the mixture to penetrate the paper (and layers of paper) more easily.

-Lay old towels against the skirting board to prevent moisture entering the carpet. You will need to be especially careful if using Resene Moss & Mould Killer as any spills, splashes or drips will bleach the towels and carpet.

-Use a combination of a 75mm broad knife scraper and a 25mm scraper for corners and difficult to remove areas.

-Areas where plaster has been used to fix holes, etc. on old wallpaper are very difficult to remove. Once the paper is removed the surface will be less than perfect and holes and gouges caused by the scrapers will need to be filled. After filling Resene recommend Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal to improve the surface before painting. This may require a second coat.

-The walls will need sealing and as some glues, moisture and even the aged paperfaced plasterboard may stain through a waterborne system, always use Resene Sureseal after applying the Resene Broadwall Surface Prep & Seal.

-Steam strippers are available for hire. If you have large areas to strip you should consider this option.

-Wallpaper manufacturers recommend that paperfaced plasterboard walls are sealed with Resene Sureseal before the wallpaper is hung to enable walls to be stripped more easily at a later date, although this good advice is not always followed. Wallpaper is often hung over the top of previous papers making stripping more difficult and time consuming.

-Resene has an arrangement with Hirequip (in NZ) allowing its customers to receive a 10% discount on the hireage charge upon presentation of their Resene DIY Card.

Published: 08 Jan 2015