Removing liner

[goshawk]

Three years ago, my wife and I bought a house built in the early 1960s. In removing wallcoverings throughout the house, we've found that there seem to be three layers of material: the decorated surface, a paper backing and then another paper layer under that before you finally get to the green wallboard. I'm guessing this is a liner.

In the bathroom, my wife painted over the liner and the results weren't great.

Now we're working in the dining room. The first two layers came off easily, but the liner has come off in patches. We're trying a steamer and scraping, but having trouble getting it off. Any recommendations on how to remove it while still leaving ourselves a paintable surface?

Sorry if this is rambling, but I know less than nothing about wallpaper and I'm not sure of the correct terminology.

[Chris Murphy]

Actually, you have expressed the problem rather well. This is all solveable, but elbow grease is needed, and you've shown you've got that.

As sheetrock became standard (vs. plaster), hangers resorted to many methods to keep paper up, and many were wrong-headed (often due to time or contractor restraints, but still not wise in the long run). If you cannot get the stuff off with patience and hot water, re-surfacing the walls becomes cost efficient.

Is that last layer bubbling up when wet? If so, keeping it wet for 45 min. or so should get it off (contact Safe & Simple for their solutions: http://safeandsimple.com/). If not, cut out and/or sand any loose spots and material, and prime/seal with Zinsser's Gardz or Scotch Paint's Draw-Tite. Skim or patch the surface, then prime again with the same product. Paint or hang after.

[goshawk]

Thanks very much. We'll probably sand and patch, then use some sort of textured paint over it.

[Chris Murphy]

You don't need to go the textured route if you don't want to. You can get the walls smooth as glass with effort & time.