Is it possible to remove wallpaper that has been painted over?

Question

Is it possible to remove wallpaper that has been painted over?

Answer 1

Yes, and depending on you luck, it'll be easy or it'll be the job from....

To remove paper that has a good bond it is always better to loosen it's hold  A pump sprayer with a solution of dish washing soap, maybe a table spoons worth, and water works good.

About that paint... It won't let the water thru. Gotta get through the paint and paper to get water to the glue.

The hardware stores sell these hand held perforators, I think one was called a "Tiger".  Looks like a kids toy, a palm rest with 4 or more little wheels and the wheels have sharp points on them.  You run this thing all over the wall like the kids running their toy cars (keep that thought) and the sharp points are JUST long enough to make little holes the paint and paper with out destroying the wallboard under all.

With holes done, put down some cloth to catch the water and spray the painted paper, get it good and wet, give it 3 to 5 minutes and see is it will scrape off.  Adjust your time and water till it works for you.  Spray just enough that you can work it before  it dries(just spray again.)

Gee, you are gonna just have SO much fun!

RonG

Answer 2

I, HAVE ALWAYS HAD GOOD LUCK WITH A PRODUCT CALLED DIF, WEAR GLOVES TO PROTEC YOUR HANDS, WHILE YOU APPLY THE SOLUTION INTO VERY HOT WATER, LET SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, USE A PUTTY KNIFE, AND REPEAT UNTIL IT COMES FREE, LET THE HOT WATER SEAP THRU, AND DIF DISSOLVES THE PASTE. YOU CAN FIND THIS PROTUCT AT HOMEDEPOT KOWES, OR EVEN A PAINT STORE, OR TRY RENTING A MACHINE, BUT THEY ARE COSTLY, AND I, PERSONALLY, REMOVED A PAPER AND BORDERS, JUST WITH DIF AND VERY HOT WATER

Answer 3

Yes!  Anything can come off! The type of wallpaper, type of paint and your determination are all factors!  In an un-noticed corner...use hair conditioner to soften a corner of the wall paper/paint...use a sponge and saturate the area.  Use a hair blow-dryer to make the process quicker.  It may be peel off paper....if it is;   just use a wallpaper claw (ask at the store) to perforate both layers....spray with solution of CHEAP hair conditioner and water and pull off. You will have to scrape some of it off. If it's older pasted paper/paint...you may need to soak it AND use a rented steamer to get it off....plus more scraping than anyone would enjoy!  It will come off...you just need a sense of humor and elbow grease.  After you get it off; be diligent in cleaning the walls and repairing all defects before you go on! Good luck and God bless!

Answer 4

Yup.  It's just a nuisance.

You'll have to perforate the painted-over paper with something like a Paper Tiger, then you'll have to use a wallpaper steamer.  You can buy a perforator at a builder's supply and you can rent a wallpaper steamer.