PLEASE!!! how important is it to rub down the walls?? i cant breathe!!!?

Question

im redecorating my room atm and am at the satge where i have stripped the paper and am now rubbing down the walls.

it creates so much dust that i cant breathe. i am having asthma tyoe symptoms, similarto what i get due to hayfever and when in hot water. my chest feels constricted.

i have tried it with a mask but the stuffiness insde it creates the same effect.

so do i really need to rub down the walls, i am 15 years old, home alone and have promised i wont need help!

how long will the new paint last if i dont rub down before i apply it??

thankyou and please answer im tight for time an dont want to waste it if rubbing down is very important!!

PLEASE ASAP AND THANKS!!! =]

Answer 1

Are you talking about sanding the walls? If you are then it really depends on the wall and what condition it is in, every tiny weeny little mark becomes visable once it is under paint, it shows up as shadows which is why you sand walls.  HOWEVER, if you have gotten the wallpaper off really really well, then run your clean hand over the walls and feel them, fhands are fantastic for feeling irregularities in walls, if it feels totally smooth all over (thats a lot of running your hands over the walls but I am trying to save your lungs atm) you don't absolutely have to sand (though yes it is advisable and does give the best result) the most important part is washing it down with sugar soap (thats what we in Australia use, no idea what you may call it, but a general wall cleaner for prepping walls which I am sure you have around) so that any dust is off the surface, dust prevents paint adhering to the wall, just like if you get fluff all over a piece of sticky tape,it won't be sticky anymore the same is true with walls, dust won't let paint stick, the paint will seem to go on, but eventually it will come off again.

So in summary, if your walls are smooth, and all the paper is totally 100% off, wash them down, let them dry really well, then paint.

If there are still lumps and bumps, you need to sand, and you could just spot sand the rough parts not the entire wall.  As you are reacting so badly (and I just used a sander to do the walls in the kids playroom and had to stop every 1/2 wall length and I don't get asthma but I couldn't breath) then you either need to get someone else to do it, or get a respirator rather than a simple throw away mask,or use a dust extractor and a mask/respirator while you are working, and of course if the pollen count allows open the windows, anything to get the dust out of your personal space, unless it is uber windy and blowing the dust back in at you?

Don't risk it though, keep safe, and if you have to swallow your pride and tell your parents what is happening DO IT, they do not want you having an asthma attack to prove you are old enough/mature enough to do this yourself, your willingness to continue even when you are showing nasty symptoms is sort of admirable, but definately not mature or sensible, they want you safe above all else and probably hadn't thought about the dust aspect.... please take care.

Answer 2

Maybe if you rub down the worst bits it would still work? I'm sure it doesnt completely need to be rubbed down but if you did the main bits then it would probably be ok.

Answer 3

You do not need to rub down the walls at all.

Strip as much wallpaper off as possible while it's dry.  Then use a bucket of water and a brush to soak the remaining paper.  Do it in sections, keep resoaking and keep each section wet until it scrapes off easily - 15 to 30 minutes of soaking each section is not unusual.

Now apply two coats of water based emulsion using a brush around the edges and filling in with a 9 inch roller.  Cover everythng inc. the floor.

Never sand bare plaster.

Answer 4

Depends on what type of job you want, amateur or professional.

Answer 5

once the walls are smooth and clean,..wiping down isnt necessary,..and if the dust or solvents are irritating,..use one of those flat mops with washing up liquid and clean the walls that way,..and rub them dry with a towel,..which means that you dont have to be too close..if there is any wallpaper adhesive on the walls,..the paint might not stick too well,..so it will have to be removed,..other than that,..best of luck,..alan

Answer 6

spray the walls with water that will keep the dust down also spray the air in the room the water holds onto the dust and drops it to the floor faster so not in the air to long  

Answer 7

either rub it down with a damp sponge,as this will capture the dust(rinse regularly) or hold the hoover nozzle in one hand scraper in the other and move in symmetry

Answer 8

If you are trying to remove wallpaper paste it's BEST to use a combination of HOT water and vinegar OR HOT water and cheap liquid fabric softner... If you work with a wet surface you won't dust/debris..Spray the solution on the walls and let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes till it gets soft... Rug with sponge and rinse!   .Just be sure to have a drop cloth to catch any mess!  Also, invite a friend to help you and spring for lunch.  You should have someone there in case something happens....

Good luck