Steaming off wallpaper

ash_scotland88

ash_scotland88

ash_scotland88

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1 Jul 2007
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To use a steam wallpaper stripper how much should I clear out my room?
Like are clothes in a wardrobe needed to go?
Will obviously move out computer and stuff, but if I basically need to take down everything it's too much effort :p

copied from a later post:
Just an update, stripped 2.5 walls (ran out of time and havnt had it since). Was able to take off the top coat, then soaked the paper underneath with water from a sponge and bucket, came off easily enough!

I know my walls arent perfectly smooth, but I hate seeing paint marks so wondering if I borowed the sprayer/compressor from work over a couple of weekends if I could paint that way?
Would I be able to base coat it with a roller first, and then smooth spray on finish, or woud I need to spray all coats on?

edit: machine mart happens to have airless spray guns for £30ish, are these ok to use? Just it would be "easier" to have one sitting in the corner of the room ready to go instead of having to arrange travel etc
 
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move stuff so you have enough space to work, move out electrical stuff, cover rest with blankets.

Be careful for how long you steam each spot for as it can go through and your plaster will come off with it. i left a few holes in mine first time i did it :(
 
Coolio, was just worried that I would need the likes of having to take matress out, and curtains down (when not working on window wall)
Going to try and move out as much as I can...that's if the steamer is up in the attic.....
 
we only used a steamer when the wallpaper just wouldn't come off, you sure you can't just remove it without a steamer?
 
I found lightly scoring the wall paper with a stanley knife (not too hard so you scratch the plaster) helps to steam it off easier but it can be quite a messy job as the small bits of paper sticks to everything!!

I would take out anything of value and stuff you dont want to get messed up then stick sheets over everything else.
 
Do you not get the proper scorer with the steamer? Open your windows, the steam doesn't have to fill the room! Its all confined in the actual steamer handle. As mentioned the paper will stick to EVERYTHING that it can.
 
Well the top layer of wallpaper has come off, the "wipe clean" surface, that peeled away leaving a paper back (the surface was glossy/shiney) so hopefully the bucket and sponge method will work. Top layer has been peeling off with just hands.
But it was a just incase it takes me too much effort/time with a bucket.
 
And final tip, roller best way to get a smooth paint finish?
Only using matt paint on the walls, but I hate it when you can see the roller/brush marks, but guessing that's cause paint was applied too thickly.
 
Aye you'll only usually get marks if you've used too much paint. Spread it thinly and do multiple coats, as opposed to trying to do it all in one go.
 
I've just scraped wallpaper off 2 rooms recently. TIP - Use a scraper that is intended for getting ice off car windscreens. It will have a blunter edge and won't damage the plaster underneath like a regular sharp pointy wallpaper scraper. If the wall underneath is knackered I wouldn't bother being careful though.

Also I had the TV on whilst scraping. It's just a kettle really and with the windows open the room didn't get too humid
 
When we decorated / extended the house we just moved everything out of a room while we did whatever we needed to the room, strip wallpaper / paint and then put things back in after a good clean and sort :)
 
Tummy said:
When we decorated / extended the house we just moved everything out of a room while we did whatever we needed to the room, strip wallpaper / paint and then put things back in after a good clean and sort :)
Click to expand...
This is definitely the best way. Often i go into decorate peoples rooms and theyve made no effort to clear the room out. You end up having to move furniture, take down pictures/mirrors, remove electrical items etc before you can start any work.
 
Clearing the room isn't so much of a deal when removing the paper it's when you come to paint or hang new paper that you want it empty.
 
Just an update, stripped 2.5 walls. Was able to take off the top coat, then soaked the paper underneath with water from a sponge and bucket, came off easily enough!

I know my walls arent perfectly smooth, but I hate seeing paint marks so wondering if I borowed the sprayer/compressor from work over a couple of weekends if I could paint that way?
Would I be able to base coat it with a roller first, and then smooth spray on finish, or woud I need to spray all coats on?
 
Also make sure when you doing it, not to stand in one place for ages, as boiling hot water drops down onto your head or body.. bloody hurts.
 
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