Stripping backing paper

[Funkstar]

Started redecorating a new room last week (will post pics when I get home, it's quite dramatic the amount of work you can do in a day ). Stripping the backing/lining paper in this room is a good bit harder than the living room we did last year. It needs a couple of soaks with water and even then it still needs to be scraped off slowly rather than just quick scrape.

Any tips on how to aid the removal of the glue? I could steam it, we have a steamer, I'm just not keen on turning the room into a spa and having that amount of moisture in the air.

[GoNz0]

steamer or sponge it down, your decorating it so live with the short term steam imho, open a flippin window

[Funkstar]

I know, it's not a big deal. I jst wondered if anyone had a handle little tip of something to add to the water to make it work better/faster. I don't know, something like lemon juice or a small amount of washing up liquid. You know, something like that.

[GoNz0]

no m8, its the water & heat that gets the job done, otherwise the basics like scoring the hell out of it and using a wet sponge but that runs down onto the floor and tends to make a bigger mess.

[peterb]

+1 for a steamer. If it is a vinyl covered wallpaper, you can get a tool (a roller with tiny spikes on) that you can use to perforate the surface so the steam penetrates better. You can use a water/sponge, but steaming is less messy (and slightly more 'fun' - as much as stripping wallpaper can be classed as 'fun')

[Funkstar]

The paper round the whole house is simple plain textured paper which has been painted a few times. In this room (and I suspect most of the others) the top layer was peeling off anyway, all it took was picking at the corners and pulling to take full sheets off the wall. the backing is stuck down a lot better than when I did the living room. And all the plater work underneath has been done well and has been painted as well.

Guess I'll just crack out the steamer when I get home. Looking forward to getting this room done fairly quickly, unlike the living room which took me months.

[TheAnimus]

Steamer!

As mentioned, it just makes it soo much easier.

Only thing to really watch out for, is any colour can easily drip down the wall and onto the carpet. This only matters if its bad wallpaper been removed, but be mindful off it if you've cream carpets.

[Barry]

A bit strange but try dishwasher powder or fabric softener in warm water (with enzymes)