Serious help needed. Most frustrating walls ever!!

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Hi all,

I am at my wits end with our "about to be born" sons bedroom. The walls had a really thick paint on them that when we removed any screws or hooks just peeled away. As a result we just started peeling it off but then encountered patches that just would not come off.

We purchased some paint remover and applied this as directed but this has just made the paint all squishy which is now even more difficult to get off.

The paint is so thick that I can't just paint over it as where we have gone down to plasterboard, there will be an obvious line where the paint starts.

I have scraped and sanded as much as possible without going insane and I can't see how I can prep the walls ready for painting. Am I best off to just get the walls re skimmed? Is this even possible given the residue paint?

Please help as I only have a few weeks until the poor kid is due and my wife is going nuts!!


 
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Rather than go to the expense, and trouble, of having the walls re-skimmed (which for a professional finish, the skirtings and architrave would need to be removed and then refitted) a lining paper finish would seem a better option. This would require a substantial amount of preparation work, prior to applying the paper: Scrape away and sand any loose or protruding 'debris' on the walls. Using a smoothly mixed filler ('gyproc easi-fill' is ideal for this) and quite a wide 'spatula' style filling blade, apply to the areas around the plaster/paint 'ridged' areas, in an effort to form a flat finish between the two, preferably putting on a little more than required as sanding, after the filler has completely dried, should enable you to produce a flat, even finish. Sand the remaining walls to remove any 'grit' or 'nibs'. Apply a size (paste or watered down pva) to the walls. Allow to dry and then paste and apply the lining paper. Emulsion after overnight drying.
 
If the above doesn't suit, I'd run an orbital sander over the walls; I assume you were sanding by hand. Worst case scenario, if it doesn't all come off (it will) then any crossover from paint to plaster will be feathered down nicely.

Regarding paint stripper, I think most people only ever use it once. ;)
 
Have you used a steamer? Such a little bit of paint left to go on your walls, I'd try steam and a good scraper. Good luck! And yes, chemical paint remover is pretty useless nowadays.
 
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In your shoes my preferred option would be to have the walls re-skimmed. Then you can paint them or paper them as you please.

If the budget won't stretch to that, then Wallrock Fibreliner gives an excellent finish and very forgiving of rough walls.

However, the good news is that you have at least six months to sort it out. It is a myth that babies need their own bedroom as soon as they are born. They don't. It is far safer for the infant and more convenient for the parents if the baby sleeps in a cot or Moses basket in its parents' room. Even when they are ready to move into their own room, babies don't care about the state of the walls in their bedroom and after six months of life with a new baby, neither will you.

All babies want is food, warmth and to feel secure. They don't need or want plaster perfect walls. :) They will be more than happy with a few colourful posters of giraffes and tree frogs, and the odd musical mobile.

Hope that helps.
 
The paint is so thick that I can't just paint over it as where we have gone down to plasterboard, there will be an obvious line where the paint starts.

I have scraped and sanded as much as possible without going insane and I can't see how I can prep the walls ready for painting. Am I best off to just get the walls re skimmed? Is this even possible given the residue paint?

It is wallpaper you are removing ... bucket, water, sponge ... get it wet and scrape it off.
 
It is wallpaper you are removing ... bucket, water, sponge ... get it wet and scrape it off.
I'm not sure that it's possible to be sure about that, from the photo.

The thick layer could be badly applied filler, bad plastering, polystyrene thermal lining or even very thick paint as OP says.
 

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