How to strip chip/wood chip paper?

jamiez

Hi

My new flat is covered with chip paper. Whats my best approach in removing the lovley stuff? I know i will need to replaster, but i want to save cash by removing it myself

Will a steamer and scraper and hard graft get the job done?

Any hints or tips?

Cheers

Jamie

paddy's_mum

Definitely go with a steamer. I worked for several years for Europe's biggest manufacturer of wallpaper steamers and often gave the new models practice runs on emulsioned woodchip. A useful tip is to score the paper with the corner of the blade of the scraper before applying the steam. If you fill the steamer, set it up and then score, by the time you've finished, the steamer should be up to heat and ready to use.

It is wise to stand the steamer on something (folded towel, wad of newspaper) to protect floor coverings. The major mistake people make with steamers is not to allow the steam to do the work so make sure you leave the steam plate on the wall for long enough. The paper should then come off very easily.

If you have a large amount to remove, you can fill the reservoir with hot water from the kettle as this cuts down the heating/steam producing time. For taking a very short break (perhaps to move the ladder) without losing steaming time, hang the hose and steam plate out of the window for just thos few moments. Hope that helps.

nearlyrich

I can only agree with Paddy's Mum, I spent a long hot Sunday removing woodchip from half of the lounge wall a few years ago, someone told me about wallpaper strippers on the Monday and I bought one. The rest came off in a few minutes. Someone suggested wiping the walls down with fabric conditioner and water on another thread recently, apparantly it breaks down the glue. The main problem with emulsioned woodchip (apart from it being the work of the devil) is that it is almost waterproof and therefore hard to get the steam into so the scoring thing is a good tip too, especially if you are having the wall replastered otherwise be careful you don't press too hard and damage the wall.

DKLS

Get the steamer out, put your fave music on... Loud and think of someone, something that annoys/bugs you and take all your frustration out on the devils own wallpaper.
Can you tell I have done more than my fair share of wood chip stripping?

betterbargains4u

We have just finished renovating our house.
Painted woodchip or anaglypta wallpaper in every single room!!!!
Very messy work, but not as difficult as you would imagine. We also found that the steamer works best.
We thought that we might have to have the whole house skimmed, but after spending a long time preparing the walls for painting (filling holes..sanding..more sanding..base coats of paint) the walls were fine.
My advice to you would be..get some mates round..provide the beer/tea/coffee/biscuits and get them to work. It can be lots of fun.
Don't book the plasterer, until you absolutely need to.

jamiez

paddy's_mum wrote: »

Definitely go with a steamer. I worked for several years for Europe's biggest manufacturer of wallpaper steamers and often gave the new models practice runs on emulsioned woodchip. A useful tip is to score the paper with the corner of the blade of the scraper before applying the steam. If you fill the steamer, set it up and then score, by the time you've finished, the steamer should be up to heat and ready to use.

It is wise to stand the steamer on something (folded towel, wad of newspaper) to protect floor coverings. The major mistake people make with steamers is not to allow the steam to do the work so make sure you leave the steam plate on the wall for long enough. The paper should then come off very easily.

If you have a large amount to remove, you can fill the reservoir with hot water from the kettle as this cuts down the heating/steam producing time. For taking a very short break (perhaps to move the ladder) without losing steaming time, hang the hose and steam plate out of the window for just thos few moments. Hope that helps.

Arr ha - scoring the paper sounds like a plan

Great advise - at least i know its not impossible

That will save me 1k if i strip the whole place!!

Cheers :T :T :T :T

olly300

Scoring then using a steamer definitely works.

I found that also that when the room got steamy some of the wood chip paper which only had one coat of paint on it came off using just a wallpaper scraper. (The walls in the one room had various coats of paint from none to 3 coats!!) The ceiling was covered with anaglypta paper and that came of with a scraper when the room got steamy.

momisa

I managed to loan the use of a steamer from a friend for this very job. It took two days to do one bedroom as I have high ceilings but what well worth.

Definately score the walls all over prior to starting. Close the door to the room to keep the steam in as that will penetrate through the scores you've made.

Remember you only want to remove the devils wallpaper and there's a fine line between that and ruining the plaster underneath.

All I had to do after all the paper was off was fill in the holes where pictures had been hung as the walls themselves were ok.

Good luck

floyd

We bought one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Maxi-Orbital-Wallpaper-Scorer/dp/B0001IWE4G and it has been worth its weight in gold as it doesn't scratch the underlying plaster like a Stanley knife. Also takes much less effort which is always good in my opinion

jamiez

momisa wrote: »

I managed to loan the use of a steamer from a friend for this very job. It took two days to do one bedroom as I have high ceilings but what well worth.

Definately score the walls all over prior to starting. Close the door to the room to keep the steam in as that will penetrate through the scores you've made.

Remember you only want to remove the devils wallpaper and there's a fine line between that and ruining the plaster underneath.

All I had to do after all the paper was off was fill in the holes where pictures had been hung as the walls themselves were ok.

Good luck

Brilliant - thanks!

nickj_2

make sure you don't hold the steamer in one place for too long , the plaster will blow out if you are not careful