How to Remove Wallpaper from Unsized Walls

Removing wallpaper is a messy task, but not altogether difficult. When you remove wallpaper in an older home, you may find yourself dealing with unsized walls. Unsized walls are walls in which the drywall is exposed with no finish or compound over it. Because unsized walls are a paper compound, the removal of wallpaper can damage unsized walls with moisture, rips or tears. Follow normal wallpaper removing techniques with care, and then size your unsized walls for the best results.

Perforating tool
Spray bottle
Hot water
Measuring spoons
Baking soda
Plastic scraper
Bucket
Water
Sponge
Spackle
Sand paper
Clean cloth
Acrylic primer
Paint roller
Paint tray

Instructions

- 1
  Use a perforating tool to create holes in wallpaper that is not strippable.
- 2
  Combine one tablespoon of baking soda with hot water in a plastic spray bottle. Mix the solution by shaking the bottle.
- 3
  
  A spray bottle makes a great applicator.
  
  Apply the baking soda solution to your wallpaper by misting it with the spray bottle. Start at the top of your wallpaper, working your way down toward the floor. Let the solution sit on the wallpaper for five minutes. The baking soda works to dissolve the wallpaper adhesive which will make it easier for you to remove the wallpaper itself.
- 4
  
  Scrapers are necessary tools in removing wallpaper.
  
  Use a plastic scraper to remove the wallpaper. Be as gentle as possible so you can keep damage to the unsized walls to a minimum.
- 5
  
  Sponges are gentle yet effective cleaning tools.
  
  Soak a clean sponge in a bucket of warm water. Wring out excess water and use the sponge to wipe away the baking soda solution and any remaining wallpaper adhesive.
- 6
  Allow unsized drywall to dry completely. This may occur overnight or may take a few days.
- 7
  Apply spackle to any areas on the drywall that need to be repaired. Use your plastic scraper to smooth and spread the spackle evenly to cover rips, tears or indentations. Extend the spackle a little bit past the repaired surface. Allow the spackle to dry fully.
- 8
  
  The rough surface of sand paper helps smooth other surfaces.
  
  Sand the spackled areas using your sand paper. Smooth out any lines and blend the edges of the spackle into the rest of the wall. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any spackle dust after sanding.
- 9
  
  Spread primer easily with a paint roller.
  
  Pour acrylic primer into a paint tray and roll your paint roller in it to coat the paint roller. Hold the paint roller over the paint tray so excess primer can drip off.
- 10
  Apply a coat of acrylic primer to your unsized walls. The primer will serve to protect the wall from moisture and any damage that comes as a result of it. Allow primer to dry fully, according to directions, before putting up new wallpaper or painting your walls.

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Wallpaper