How to fix plaster walls that have wallpaper and about 7 coats of paint?

Question

Our house was built in the 20s, and our bedroom has plaster walls with wallpaper AND about 7 coats of paint. My problem is that you can see the seems of the wallpaper and it looks terrible!!! I want to repaint the walls a lighter color, but I dont know what to do...should i try to remove everything down the the plaster? (i've tried a small section with a steamer, a section with fabric softener, and a sections of just good ole scraping...and they are all rediculously time-consuming and very physically strenuous) Or should i skim coat the wall? I'm afraid if i do that, it will eventually crack off. Please some give me some suggestions!!!

Answer 1

Chey Buff is correct mostly, but you still will have to skim coat the wall.  All the above of his comment is time consuming.

Sheetrock can be purchased which is 1/4 in. thick  which you can install, tape, float(any kind of float texture) and then you can do that which is you style you desire.

Another style paneling will work if that is an option you wish.

Answer 2

Do not skim coat the wall as your first try at this fix. Your problem with removing this wall paper is that you are not getting under the paper. In order to do this you will need a paper tiger ( a tool that randomley perforates the paper with tiny holes ) you can buy this tool at Sherwin Willams, or a wall paper store. Then you can get the steamy water under the paper and after soaking a few minutes the paper and all the paint on it nearly slides off by using a wide blade putty knife. Some times the glue is stuborn and you might need a little elbow greece . The store will also have glue removers for this step. Now is when you can fill the nail holes with spakle compound (use the light weight because it is easy to sand when dry). Ok, now you can paint on a clean, smooth surface.

Answer 3

Yes, get rid of all the wallpaper (try Diff, give it a good soaking and only wait 10 minutes to take the paper off...wait too long and it's worthless). Also make sure you take off the thin paper backing, which is the annoying part. Then fix any cracks with joint compound, sand, prime and paint. If the wall has major problems, yes, skimcoat, but that is a more difficult process.