Removing wallpaper glue

[AndyJ88]

Hi

We have stripped old wallpaper that was directly laid into plaster.

All the wallpaper is removed but we just can’t get the remaining glue residue off. You can’t really see it but the wall is sticky and can’t be sanded.

Any ideas on how to get this residue off? We have tried wallpaper solution, soap and water, soap bicarbonate and vinegar.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Lots of warm soapy water always worked for me. Get it good and wet, then keep is wet - use half a towel and keep rinsing it.

 

[AndyJ88]

What do you mean by use half a towel?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What do you mean by use half a towel?

OK - Something large and very absorbent to wipe off and soak up the mess of glue off the walls. Keep on rinsing it.

 

[EddieM]

Sugar soap is what's used normally.

 

[AndyJ88]

Ok thanks both. Any ideas how to cover floors? We have a large dust sheet but I’m worried the water is just running down the walls and into the floor. Currently got no beading so expansion gap is exposed.

 

[lostinthelight]

Open weave floor clothes are better than anything else I've tried.
The slime is trapped in the spaces instead of being spread about.
Dissolve with sugar soap first as previously suggested and keep rinsing in clean water.
Test by rubbing wall surface with wet fingers until no longer slippery.
https://utilitygreatbritain.co.uk/product/floor-cloths/

 

[opps]

You can’t really see it but the wall is sticky and can’t be sanded.

I normally just sand it off using a 5" random orbital sander connected to a dust extractor.

The old paste should not be sticky though. Are the walls damp? Is the room very humid?

 

[AndyJ88]

It was wet when I tried to sand it and the glue was just causing a grey layer on the sandpaper almost immediately causing it to stop working. Do you think I’d be able to send the remaining glue off?

 

[opps]

If it is dry, then yes, sanding should be fine but if the sander is not connected to a vacuum it will be very dusty.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It was wet when I tried to sand it and the glue was just causing a grey layer on the sandpaper almost immediately causing it to stop working. Do you think I’d be able to send the remaining glue off?

If you are re-papering, you don't need to aim to get all of it off, you just need to achieve a smooth, flat surface. If you are intending to use lining paper, then paint, it needs to be well cleared of any lumps or any grit.

 

[AndyJ88]

I was planning on painting and not using lining paper. Is this a bad idea?

 

[JohnD]

if it's wallpaper paste (or PVA) you can soften it by brushing on warm water with half a drop of WUL per gallon, then a broad metal scraper will take off the soft sludge, and you can wipe it on your arm (or a rag or kitchen roll). If you need to get the last smear off, rub it with an old towel or coarse rags.

If you want to wet the whole wall (e.g. there are scraps of paper all over it) mist with a garden sprayer a couple of times, not letting it dry.

A painted wall does need to be free of glue.

 

[AndyJ88]

Hi John.

There are no scraps I’ve removed all.

The problem is I can’t see the glue so it’s difficult to scrap it off. When I do use my wide scraper I get something off on certain parts of this wall but I think this is grey plaster rather than glue. If I could see it and not just feel it it would be a lot easier job.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I was planning on painting and not using lining paper. Is this a bad idea?

That depends upon the condition of the plaster underneath, paint will look really bad on poor plaster. Some people insist on using lining paper, even if the plaster is perfect. Lining paper is very cheap, but any grit under it will show up..