Removing wallpaper paste from a wall

Gonzo33

I have removed the wallpaper, and backing paper but have lots of adhesive still stuck to the wall. Is sugar soap the easiest way to remove it?

Jnelhams

The solution appears to be a wall paper steam stripper...

http://community.screwfix.com/thread/89735

Ken68

Or paint water on and leave overnight.
If heavy or embossed you may have to roughen with sandpaper.

ariba10

If a normal wallpaper paste has been used, warm water will soften it and you and you can wipe it off.

Some one I know has just moved into a new house and has had a problem in removing the adhesive that was used to stick a band of paper that was put up as a Dado.

Have tried most things including solvents. Limited success.

jenny-wren

I tried sugar soap and am loathed to use a steamer (a builder advised me it can loosen plaster).

The best (and cheapest) method I found was to use a hand-held water sprayer filled with warm water and a kitchen dish sponge/scourer designed for non-stick pans. I had great success using it to remove very old wallpaper paste from both painted and plastered walls.

Best try it on an inconspicuous area first though to check it won't leave marks on the plaster.

Edwardia

Agree with jenny wren 100% that's the technique we used to get up to 12 layers of wallpaper off in our house, sugar soap, warm water in trigger spray bottles, scraper and kitchen scourers.

HarriDec

A vinegar and water solution applied with a garden sprayer will reactivate the paste which you can then wash off. A steamer will only help in removing the paper rather than the paste.

Norman_Castle

If its just wallpaper paste cold water should do it. Wet the wall with a sponge, leave for a few minits, then wash the wall with clean water. Repeat as required.

mrobsessed

I've had this problem. You can wipe it off with a wet cloth but it is hard work if there is a thick layer of paste, and it can take multiple rinses to get it all off. The stuff seems to expand when wet and becomes a slimy film that is difficult to remove. It can take a lot of work to finally remove it all and get back to plaster or paintwork - you can tell when the slippery, slimy sensation goes away.

I had better results by wetting it down and using a scraper to get most of it off and then finishing with a wet cloth. Paint remover and a scraper also works well.

Hope this helps!
Mr O

gibson123

I use a weak solution of fairy in warm water and a spray to soak the wall, the I take a squeegee on a pole, the type you use for washing windows, to pull the solution down to ground level and then do it again with vinegar and water.