Removal of paper border a nightmare - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

davidanbess · 02-13-2008, 08:44 PM

Hi, took off a paper border today in a bathroom, it was a nightmare to come off, it has left a glue like residue.
tomorrow I will be trying to get it off with some dif and if not I will seal it with oil primer and skim coat over it.
Would this be the course of action you guys would take, if not what would you recommend.

Thanks in advance D/B

Celtic · 02-13-2008, 08:50 PM

Vinegar and water...a little elbow grease with a putty or spackle knife.

silvertree · 02-13-2008, 08:55 PM

Seal and skim the edges, I don't know about the glue used, but I have one right now that I soaked for hours and I can't even peel the edges. Tried vinegar and I smelled like a salad all day, the border must of loved the vinegar because it's still stuck up there.

DeanV · 02-13-2008, 09:16 PM

I had this before and I think homeowners used border adhesive instead of wallpaper paste. From what I understand, border adhesive is designed for putting borders over vinyl paper and does not come off walls easily. I had to sand it off.

davidanbess · 02-13-2008, 10:59 PM

Thanks everyone, I actually found the same dilemma over in the wallpaper section.Should have went there first I suppose

DeanV · 02-14-2008, 06:32 AM

One thing to try, it is a long shot, but I once took off some old wallpaper that seemed to have a clay adhesive on the wall but hot water and DIF would not touch it. I believe I even tried wiping the wall with a solvent like lacquer thinner or Wil-Bond with no luck. I happened to have some Challenger along for cleaning the cabinets and spray that on the walls, and it came off extremely easy with Challenger. Never had that work again for me though.

REMODMAN · 02-15-2008, 07:51 AM

If You Can Peel The Paper Off And Leave The Backing I Use A Fruit Srayer With Hot Water It Works Like A Champ Be Careful Of Cabinets Sometimes The Water Will Stain It

davidanbess · 02-17-2008, 01:59 PM

well guys after giving a rub down I just brushed on some Gardz and then skimmed out, rubbed down again and then applied a primer and 2cts of latex and bobsyouruncle

Regards D/B

daArch · 02-17-2008, 07:55 PM

Many borders, even pre-pasted ones, are installed with VOV (Vinyl over Vinyl) or Border adhesive. These are not starch based adhesives like normal pastes but have polymers.

Safe and Simple of Pasedena, CA (www.safeandsimple.com) makes a stripping solution specifically designed for border adhesives - their # 826
http://safeandsimple.com/new/826.htm

It will still take time to dissolve the paste, but it does work.

4thGeneration · 02-19-2008, 08:39 PM

We are completing a job that has wallpeper all over including border. Double border actually. My wife used the paper tiger lightly. Then she sprayed plain hot water over it. She then peeled a edge and while pulling she sprayed behind the paper and it came off. For the glue stuff left she re-wet and used a large spackle knife to scrape it off. A total pain, but she removed it all.

lornmastro · 02-22-2008, 11:10 AM

DaARCH was wondering if you use this safe and simple on all you wallpaper removal jobs?? It seems costly at $89/bottle.

chris n · 02-23-2008, 05:39 AM

It seems costly at $89/bottle.

You only use 2 oz per gallon of water, I do a fair amount of removals and I only use about 2 gals a year, at $89 this is cheap and at least IMO the best out there.

dayspring · 02-23-2008, 08:25 AM

We use Downy fabric softener

, with excellent results most always. Just spray it on with a spray bottle or garden sprayer for larger, stubborn jobs

Thag · 02-23-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidanbess

Hi, took off a paper border today in a bathroom, it was a nightmare to come off, it has left a glue like residue.
tomorrow I will be trying to get it off with some dif and if not I will seal it with oil primer and skim coat over it.
Would this be the course of action you guys would take, if not what would you recommend.

Thanks in advance D/B

Dude, you must arm yourself with every possible method there is to use when taking down wall paper. When one method does work move on to the next. Guaranty you would have that off if trying all methods.