Wallpapering over existing vinyl bathroom wallpaper

Hi,

The existing wallpaper in my basement apartment bathroom I am renovating is stuck like **** directly to plasterboard and there seems no way I can get it off without destroying the plasterboard itself.

I'd appreciate some advice on papering over the existing bathroom paper.

I've read standard paste will not stick so I did a couple of trial patches - one just cleaned and one I also sanded the existing paper. Used my normal mix-up-yourself powder paste. Whilst it didn't fall off, it was fairly easy to peel it off after drying, so I'm guessing it wont stand up to time and something better is needed.

After googling and searching more I've found various advice...

1. Sand existing vinyl and apply diluted pva

2. Use some kind of primer as if you intended to paint the vinyl. Any idea what to look for? Some site mentioned vinyl primer, but when I search I see vinyl based primer rather than primer for vinyl, and not convinced I'm looking at the right stuff.

3. Vinyl to vinyl paste. Sounds great but what to look for? All I seem to find is small tubes for sticking border rolls and not a big tub for doing a whole room. Is it available? Is ready-mixed heavy duty paste (which seems to be vinyl based) the right stuff?

Aaarrghhh what a minefield - thought it would be simple! Any advice appreciated

Personally I would never trust sticking any paper to a vinyl faced wallpaper. The large tubs of ready mixed adhesive are about the same a s the small tubes you mentioned. It might be better to prime the surface with an oil based undercoat first to at least get rid of the vinyl face prior to sticking the new paper on.
As its in a bathroom with lots of steam, I wouldnt hold my breath on how long it would stay on.

Thanks for the reply.

I couldn't ignore yet another person saying don't do it, so took a deep breath and started pulling the existing off the plasterboard.

Has made a bit of a mess of the plasterboard paper, but with some sanding and some repair in places it will be OK to line then go over with the new vinyl. Gotta do it right!

Thanks