DIY Network

Wallpaper Removal Wallpaper Removal From "Creative Wall Coverings" episode DCWC-103

Host Cynthia Tinsley and her guest, designer and homeowner Taylor Vickers, are tackling the walls of Vickers's kitchen. The wallpaper has been in place for a number of years and is peeling away in spots, so today it's down with the old and up with the new.

The kitchen: before.

The bay window area: before.

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Materials:
Drop cloths to cover floor
Ladder
Safety goggles
Crowbar
Wallpaper scorer
Wallpaper steamer
Protective gloves
Chemical wallpaper stripper
Wallpaper scraper

First use a crowbar to remove any corner or doorway trim. Then proceed to the wallpaper-removal phase of the project.

	Figure A
	Paper Tiger: bottom (left) and top (right) views.
	Run the Paper Tiger lightly over the wall to score the paper, not the wall surface itself.

Scoring

In order to allow chemical stripper or steam (the choice of method is up to you) to saturate the wallpaper, you must first score it with a special tool called a Paper Tiger. The tool is used in a circular motion (be careful not to press too hard, as too much pressure can score the wall as well as the paper.) Then apply the technique you have chosen.

Wallpaper Removal

After the paper has been scored, use one of the following methods to remove it from the walls:

Chemical stripper: Be sure to wear protective gloves whenever using a chemical product. Spray the wall with a chemical stripper, which will dissolve the glue under the paper. Let the chemical soak in for about 15-20 minutes, and then use a wallpaper scraper to remove paper.

Steaming: A wallpaper steamer can be rented at any home-improvement store. First cover the floor with drop cloths. Fill the steamer unit with hot water and wait about 30 minutes. Place the steamer on the surface of the wallpaper and hold while the steam dissolves the glue (figure A). Then use a wallpaper scraper to scrape off the wet paper.

Tip: Using a steamer is effective, but the device tends to drip hot water, so be sure to wear rubber gloves.

GUESTS :
Taylor Vickers
Designer and homeowner
Lawrenceville, GA