• Overview



  • In this video, This Old House painting contractor Jim Clark explains how to strip wallpaper.


    Steps:

    1 Roll scoring tool over the entire wallpapered area.
    2 Mix liquid wallpaper stripper with hot water in a garden sprayer.
    3 Use garden sprayer to apply wallpaper stripper to wall.
    4 Scrape softened wallpaper from wall with putty knife or paint scraper.
    5 Use electric steamer to remove stubborn wallpaper.
    6 After initial scraping and steaming, spray wall again with stripper.
    7 Scrape away last bits of wallpaper with putty knife or paint scraper.
    8 Scrub wall clean using coarse scrubber pad and clean water.
    9 Use scraper to remove softened glue residue from clean wall.
    10 Let wall dry, then apply new wallpaper, or one primer coat followed by two paint topcoats.
    See products and services from this episode.
    • Difficulty: Moderate
      depending on the age and number of layers of wallpaper and paint.

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    Video Directory

    Selected Topic/Section

      Tools List

      Close
      • Wallpaper scoring tool
        Wallpaper scoring tool
        used to perforated wallpaper
      • garden sprayer
        Pump-type garden sprayer
        used to apply wallpaper stripper
      • Wallpaper steamer
        Wallpaper steamer
        used to soften wallpaper
      • paint scraper
        Assorted scrapers and putty knives
        used to remove softened wallpaper
      • scrub brush
        Coarse scrubbing pads
        for cleaning away glue residue

      Shopping List

      Close
      1. Ladders and staging planks,

      used to comfortably reach high walls



      2. Drop cloths,

      to protect floors



      3. Liquid wallpaper stripper,

      applied to wall with garden sprayer



      4. Hot water,

      is mixed with stripper



      5. Bucket,

      used to hold water