Removing wallpaper and know nothing

[ex0ja]

Heya

We have decided to remove the wallpaper in our house and instead have the walls painted. I have no idea what type of paper we have and I think the wallpaper has been there for about 30 years.

We've tried to use chemicals to remove some and the paper sort of half-tears off and like when you rip a sticker off something and are still left with paper. If we apply the chemicals again we can easily get the leftover paper off.

Underneath the paper there is what looks like green paint or possibly the adhesive. How do I tell if this is adhesive or paint? If it is adhesive how best remove it?

Any other tips?

Thanks

[Cliff Hayes]

You're lucky, because the green emulsion that you've uncovered is most likely Benj. Moore's Walgrip 3 primer. That means that whoever hung the paper took the time to do it right, and therefore the removal won't be half the chore that it otherwise could have been. Without going into a dissertation on removal techniques, let me lay a few good tips on you:
The more water, the better. If you're struggling, then it's just not wet enough. (Where have I heard that before?)
Use a garden-type pump sprayer to apply the removal solution. Protect your flooring with plenty of cloths and plastic, and drench the walls.
The best solution available comes from Safeandsimple.com
If the face of the w/c is impermeable, try scratching it with the lowest grit sandpaper you can get your hands on. #20, which is used by floor refinishers, is quite effective. Don't use a paper tiger, it'll just shred your walls.

Good luck. Wash the walls well and prime over everything with Zinsser Guardz, or Zinsser 1-2-3 before painting. Paste haze, even the slightest, will eat right through your new paint. Better to prime first before painting. You can have the primer tinted to match the paint color, and it'll save you a coat of paint in the end.

[Chris Nelson]

Here is a link that might help.

http://www.wallpaperinstaller.com/wallpaper_stripping.html

[ex0ja]

Cool, thanks for the quick advice guys! :D

I've taken careful note. I have noticed that water seems to do the job of getting it off quite well.

[Donna Delaney]

Hello-

I have a couple layers of old wallpaper that has been painted. Any hints
to removing? I'm going to paint the walls after removal.

little_sure_shot@hotmail.com

[Chris Nelson]

See above. You will need to use the paper tiger method.