grasscloth removal

[mrscrf]

Hope someone can help.....25 yr old grasscloth on drywall to be removed for paint. "Liner" under paper DIFFICULT to remove.
One painter told me impossible to remove ( time, labor, cost)
and his solution was to re-drywall over grasscloth and then go from there. Sounds like a solution....will this work??

[Dave D]

Drywall sounds like overkill and it presents its own problems.

I would try a small area, perhaps 4x4 with a gel remover or use an enzyme remover in the test area and encapsulate the area with light weight roll plastic (1mil or lower). Either way, leave the solution on long enough for it to work on the paste. You can always fall back on the drywall idea.

Dave

[Jeff Evans]

Regarding the grasscloth removal, I agree you need to try the enzyme based solution first. Try Dif , which is available almost anywhere hardware and tools are sold. The key is keeping the paper wet enough so that the paste stays loose. In most cases this will do the trick. Drywalling over the problem is way over the top in my opinion. What I'd suggest doing if the removal just wont happen for you,is to seal up the backing with a product called Drawtite, or if you can't get that,Gardz, which is made by Zinsser. Then you can skim coat over the backing with joint compound and prime it with an oil primer after a good sanding. You can also use the Gardz or Drawtite to prime it if you want to avoid the smelly oil primer. Good luck, I feel your pain!

[Mike Zekich]

To remove grass cloth use Safe and Simple 603 removal solution. Most grass cloths are installed with clay based adhesives. 603 is ideal foe this application. Order at www.safeandsimple.com

Mike