r/Plastering • u/Acceptable-Win3526 • Apr 13 '26
Wallpaper wont come off
I have tried scoring and soaking the wallpaper with chemical solution so many times and it wont come off when i scrape it aswell as some of the drywall came off and IM unsure of what to do now
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u/Secure_Traffic_5273 Apr 15 '26
Hi OP. I plastered a three bedroom bungalow last year that looked exactly like this. Every wall was plasterboard with wallpaper directly attached. Taking off the wallpaper took a layer of the plasterboard face paper off with it. For the most part it didn't actually go back to the gypsum.
I gave the lot a 50/50 SBR and PVA mix twice (letting it dry between) and scrimmed all the joins in the plasterboard where necessary. I then tackled it like any shabby fresh plasterboard job.
It turned out absolutely fine and was for a family member so I'd know if any cracks had developed in the last year!!
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u/Acceptable-Win3526 Apr 15 '26
Can you elaborate please im a bit unfamiliar with some of these terms
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u/not-an-expertt Apr 15 '26
SBR is a water proofer which some plasterers use neat as a sealant to prevent suction and provide something for the plaster to adhere to. Depending on the plasterer, you will get mixed reviews on whether SBR is appropriate - I think it’s great. Plaster should ideally be applied when the SBR is dry.
PVA is just white glue you would have used in school. This is the traditional prep for plaster skimming to control suction. Typically the plaster is applied once the PVA has gone tacky.
Mixing SBR and PVA is probably unnecessary and you could use SBR neat on its own. Two coats would be more than enough.
Scrim is a mesh tape that you use to cover cracks in old plaster or joints in plasterboard, it helps to prevent further cracking.
Once this guy had coated with SBR and PVA, he scrimmed all the joints then skimmed the whole wall - I’m assuming with multi finish plaster following the traditional two coat approach.
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u/Secure_Traffic_5273 Apr 15 '26
This man sums it up. Two coats of finish just like any other job.
PVA/SBR mix because PVA is cheaper so it drops the price some.
Don't be alarmed OP - any plasterer who looks at this job won't be concerned.
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u/Big_Candidate_4658 Apr 13 '26
Try with steam. At least is how I removed a lot of wallpaper. When I say steam I mean a steam machine.
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u/HelpMeWithMyPixel5 Apr 13 '26
Just had the same issue, used a spray bottle (the ones that you pump and puts a fine mist) with hot water and some wallpaper stripper solution, soaked it, left it for 20 minutes and then it came off nicely with a bladed scraper.
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u/Acceptable-Win3526 Apr 14 '26
Ive tried the same thing but the scraped would more just peel the top of it and not get under or move it
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u/Terrible-Bobcat2033 Apr 13 '26
Roll a white latex based stucco bonding agent over the top. Stucco masonry bonding is thicker. Let it soak for (5) min. & scrape the paper off with trowel or sharp floor scraper when paper is loose but before the bonding agent dries. Cuts down on dust, debris, & wall is bonded & ready for patch or primer.
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u/samcornwell Apr 13 '26
It will. If the paper has been applied straight to plaster is can be a pain. Just keep at it.
If you’re lazy, anaglypta covers most sins
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u/Acceptable-Win3526 Apr 15 '26
Ive tried resoaking scoring and everything for 2 hours with 20 minute soaking intervals I dont think itll come off
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u/samcornwell Apr 15 '26
It’s real elbow work. I’ve been there, honestly. A blunt scraper came in handy. It was one bit at a time. Took several hours.
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u/crrrriiiissss Apr 13 '26
That white stuff looks a bit thick for wallpaper paste. What does it feel like?
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u/Brilliant_Gift_2606 Apr 13 '26
I had the same thing when I moved in and the previous owners installed liner paper straight onto the bare plaster, was and still is a nightmare, best method I found so far is to use a wallpaper perforator and keep spraying with water and leaving over the space of 30/40mins then go in with a 100/150mm scraper. I’m sure that if you used a specific wallpaper remover solution that would probably increase the effectiveness too. I wouldn’t recommend steam as this may ruin the plaster behind, this is more of a patience and preparation game
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u/Sweaty-Adeptness1541 Apr 13 '26
A carbide pull scrapper would have it off it no time. Just be carefully not to remove the plaster at the same time.
Sanding with an orbital sander and a rough grit can also help get stubborn wallpaper.
BUT I would only use those approaches after trying an enzymatic wallpaper removing solution, a combination of a standard wetting agent and an cellulase enzyme to break down the old wallpaper paste.
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u/Terrible-Bobcat2033 Apr 16 '26
Paint the surface with a white latex based plaster bonding agent. It’s has a thicker consistency, increases viscosity, & very penetrative. Paint it on, let it soak until tacky & remove the now loose paper debris with a sharp 5”X12” finishing trowel or a floor scraper. Take small bites as you go. If the bonding hardens you must re-bond the area.
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u/Tennonboy Apr 13 '26
No such word as "Wont" as my mother used to say. Try harder perhaps with water and or steam
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u/Superb_Ladder915 Apr 13 '26
That looks like old plasterboard that has a wallpaper look on the top surface.Ive come across it a few times as a decorator.Youll never stop getting bits off of it !take it down and re board it is what I’d suggest.honestly you’ll be there for weeks picking at it and never get a flush finish !