Stupid, No-Good, Very Bad Wallpaper!

FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS PUT UP WALLPAPER!

You hear me? Not even for an accent wall. Just say no! NO!

Ironic how these things work... you may remember how easy-peasy it was for me to peel the paper itself off the walls. It was a breeze! I thought I had it so easy... little did I know what I was in for.

When we left our wallpaper-removal project last, not a scrap of paper was left on the walls but a sheen of glue was left, covering the entire surface. It was so thick, it was tacky to the touch.

I knew it was going to be such a big job that I.... procrastinated. Aaaand procrastinated. In all fairness I was trying to finish off the master bedroom and bath. So I made excuses and procrastinated.

Thankfully, this is where my mom lends a HUGE helping hand. Whenever I need help with a big project, she is always more than willing to help and this time she even brought backup; my dad. He was so helpful at getting the high spots.

















Using a special wallpaper stripping gel (see right), we sprayed, we waited, we scraped, we soaked, we scrubbed, we scraped more.... the result? Nothing. Failed.

Yes, we did take off some glue (I think) but the majority is still left on the wall. Hours of tough work, and it still can't be painted yet.

I know the paint would just bubble and peel if I painted over the glue, so I was thinking maybe I could prime it with a tough bonding coat. Mom checked in with the experts at the painting store and they said NO WAY. Do Not Paint yet.


So they recommended a different type of product: Piranha Wallpaper & Paste Remover Concentrate then scrubbed with a Scotch Brite type pad.

I've only tested it on a small area, and it still takes a LOT of elbow grease, but DANG if didn't work!

It took off at least 95% of the glue. There is still barely a little bit of "shine" (glue) in the tiny indentations from the paint roller texture, but that is hardly anything. I am going to try using a bristled brush in addition to the scrubber, and see if that helps.


The one and only fun thing of this entire process? The previous owners signed their names on the wall before they (had a lapse in judgement and) put up wallpaper.

So evidently, before the Paterson's, our house was owned by the DiBrito's: Al, Jeri, Gina, Angela, and Nicole along with Bandit and Vinnie (who I would assume were pets.)

But there are so many better ways to leave a time capsule. My favorite is the light switch plate time capsule.

Just remember, FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS PUT UP WALLPAPER!