I just removed three layers of wallpaper - the top one was the textured wallpaper and it was painted. I used a combination of my old standby ammonia and hot water and then also tried the newer suggestion of fabric softener. The combination seemed to work well - the fabric softener on the old vinyl type wallpaper and the ammonia on the backing.
I then TSPd the wall with a scotch brite scrubbing pad and rinsed it but noticed I still had a slight film of something so I went over everything again with a mixture of white vinegar and hot water. Since this is the first time I have used fabric softener could this be the cause of what appears to be a film of some kind? I plan to start painting tomorrow but don't want my paint to "alligator".
Sharon, Normally when you take down wall paper, you scrub the walls down with tsp (trisodium phosphate, purchased @ hardware store) and rinse with clear water and sponge until all the paste is off. Let dry and paint. I am not sure what you meant by patching. Hope this helps.
I don't know what the problem could be, but you might try texturizing the walls before you paint. You can find some relatively inexpensive spray-on texture that dries pretty quickly, and it may then give the paint something to stick to. We got our texture product at Wal-Mart.
Give the wall area a good 'sanding' with 000 grit or steelwool. Then wipe off the residue. You could also have a moisture build up there for bubbling. Moisture and paint do not mix. We have an exterior issue with paint not staying on the house due to moisture in the new wood from the get go.
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Request: Painting After Removing Wallpaper
Archived on 11/30/2008
After removing wallpaper what is the next step before painting the wall?
Suzette from Linden, NJ
Answers:
RE: Painting After Removing Wallpaper
Suzette, I cannot stress this enough. Wash the walls, then wash them again. Then, wash them again. I am only speaking from experience. I stripped off wallpaper from my dining room and washed the walls. Then, I painted them. Within two weeks the paint was peeling. I hadn't washed off all the wallpaper paste like I thought I had. It is a mess to deal with after the fact. Do it right the first time. (12/07/2006)
I can not agree more with Paula! AND, if you will add a cup of regular white vinegar, to a pail of warm water, it will help to dissolve the old paste, left on the wall. Like Paula says...the paint will peel off, IF paste is left on the wall! (12/11/2006)
By Sharon
RE: Painting After Removing Wallpaper
Clean the walls really good, spackle any areas that are cracked let dry sand wipe off and then paint (12/14/2006)
