What is this on my wall?

Just need to settle an argument with the Mrs, this was under the wallpaper we stripped.

It bubbles with the steamer and come off easily and soft but now dry is flaky and hard and looks like paper that's been painted as different both sides

Many thanks

 

How old is the house?

If it dissolves in boiling water but not in cold, distemper, with emulsion on top.

Distemper is usually in pastel colours as it contains powdered chalk, glue and colour.

Emulsion softens and goes stretchy in hot water.

 

The house is 1994 , it's dot and dab I believe.

We are planning on re-wallpaper-ing, she removed a massive chunk of this (3 ft by 3ft) on one side of the wall when I wasn't about so do you think I should take it all off or just repaint the gaps and if so what with? Thanks

 

1994 will not be distemper.

If it is coming off leaving bare plaster, it will be a decorating error. Probably "no mist coat." Might be "PVA glue on wall." Sometimes "Wallpaper paste on wall."

If it comes off easy, take it off and scub the plaster clean with Sugar Soap and rub off with old towel.

As you're going to paper, you could leave it, but the problem will still be there next time.

 

It come

Hi John, I think it might be some sort of sealer, he is another closer picture , what do you think?

I was thinking of priming the gaps with BIN ?

 

Well that's funny. It looks like a textured wall coating to me. I would only expect that to disguise faulty plaster.

Someone else may know better.

 

I can see some VERY faint lines on the wall which made me think it's some kind of paper but the Mrs can't so this the argument about what it is ! Do you think I should just proceed to remove it and the seal?

 

Could it be a "lining paper" which was painted with a textured coating but later papered over?
If it is paper, when peeled back it should peel only to those straight lines!

Also, do those removed sections in your hand tear like paper or do they crack like a paint chip.

If the base wall is bare plaster, it must be removed and the bare plaster must be sealed and sized before re-papering.

 

Hiya mate, thanks for your reply , I just did a quick video as thought may be easier that way:




I said originally I think it's linen paper , but I'm no expert. Some or the plasterboard paper is tearing on removal so i need to be careful and make a decision prior to doing the adjacent wall.

Let me know your thoughts many thanks

 

Imo plasterboard is best painted with vinyl emulsion first.

If you later wallpaper, it gives a bit of slip, and you will be able to strip it without damaging the plasterboard surface.

Do any patching or repairs before painting.

I do ordinary plaster as well, I believe it gives a better surface.

 

The plan is to paper on this wall. Do you think I should strip what that remaining stuff is? Or just vinal paint in the gaps?

I'm concerned about using the steamer and damaging the plasterboard paper as I can see s few tears already..

Can you recommend a particular paint? Thanks for all your help

 

I'd strip it all while you're in the mood.

White, own-brand or major name when on sale. vinyl, but not "value" or "essentials" budget rubbish

If you use vinyl Matt, you can repaint it later in Matt if you want. It doesn't always adhere well to silk.

 

Shall I take of that reamaing paint or just paint in the gaps and sand down to feather before? And then wallpaper straight on top?

 

Take off everything that will come off fairly easily. If it won't comes off, smudge a tiny bit of finish plaster (or filler if you must) with a broad metal knife, pressing so hard you can see through it.

If necessary wipe with very fine sandpaper when set.

Filler needs to be emusioned as it is likely to go soft when wet with paste or fresh paint.

 

So the Mrs has decided she doesnt want me to take it all off and wants it done quickly :/

So on that basis, do you think i could get away with a couple of coats of vinyl emotion in the sections that are bear plasterboard?

I was looking at Zinser BIN, would that be a better choice?