When it comes to painting projects, there’s not much people dread more than wallpaper removal. Whether you’ve just purchased a new home or you’re tired of looking at a floral wallpaper you’ve silently resented for years, it’s never fun planning, prepping, and executing a painting project that involves wallpaper. It’s messy, it’s tedious, and – frankly – it just never wants to cooperate. But, thankfully, there are a few tips you can follow to make your project easier. While we can’t promise they’ll make the process headache-free, we can assure you that they’ll help things go smoother and faster. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can ensure a smooth transition from wallpaper to paint.
1. Score or perforate the wallpaper
First and foremost: score your wallpaper. We promise you that this simple, quick task will make the process a whole lot easier. Whether you’re using a Stanley knife or a dedicated scoring tool, perforating the paper will help water soak into – and beneath – the paper, which will begin to break down the glue holding it to the wall and make the paper itself more pliable.
2. Spray with water, not chemicals
Sure, there are chemicals that promise to make wallpaper removal easier, faster, or more convenient but, honestly, water is your best option. While chemicals may help the glue release faster, they can have unintended consequences if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. You may end up damaging your walls, making it more difficult for paint or primer to stick to the plaster beneath. If you aren’t absolutely sure if the chemicals you’ve purchased are suitable, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Van Tuinen Painting for advice.
3. Invest in wallpaper stripping tools
There are a lot of wallpaper removal tools on the market but, really, two of them stand above the rest: a scraper and a steamer. When first stripping wallpaper, a lot of homeowners use a spray bottle and a paint scraper. Investing a little money in the right tools will definitely pay off here. A steamer will heat the glue beneath the paper, ensuring a cleaner and smoother removal process. A wallpaper scraper has a thinner blade than a paint scraper and, more importantly, they often include a handful of features you won’t find on other tools, including scoring!
If you’re considering an interior painting project that involves removing wallpaper, don’t be afraid! Whatever happens, you can be confident that Van Tuinen Painting will be here to help. If desired, we’ll work with you to remove your wallpaper or we’ll paint the walls after you’ve completed the task, whichever you prefer. So, if you have any questions or would like to schedule your project, contact us today!
