How to deal with old lining paper: remove, repair or paper over?

zoothornrollo_2

We have a section in our new loft stairwell where, with the new plasterwork coming down from above, there is a section of the original wall up the side of the stairs where the plasterers had to take away the old coving, exposing some old plasterwork, and leaving the top edge of the old lining paper exposed.

So we have from top down: nice new plaster skim, a band of old plaster, and then multi-layered lining paper, which is painted with a satin finish - can post pics. The in-laws suggested sanding down the top of the paper and graduating it so it 'fades' into the plaster.

But then how do we prepare the remainder of the wall (painted lining paper) for repainting? Do we have to repaper, or can we just wash and fill and prime?

Obviously the nuclear option is to rip it off and deal with what's underneath - which is tempting as it is only a small stretch of wall- and it will give us an indication of the condition of the plasterwork in the flat, and how to proceed elsewhere.
Would rather not have to get a plasterer in though!

tanith

I'd want to have a clean clear wall to start decorating so ripping it off would be my preference. Its never going to look great if you try and patch it up so it depends on how visible its going to be and how nice you want it to look.

zoothornrollo_2

tanith wrote: »

I'd want to have a clean clear wall to start decorating so ripping it off would be my preference. Its never going to look great if you try and patch it up so it depends on how visible its going to be and how nice you want it to look.

well that's my instinct. But what happens if you end up with a load of knackered plasterwork from the 1970s? Is it not difficult to get it looking decent enough to paint?

phill99

zoothornrollo wrote: »

well that's my instinct. But what happens if you end up with a load of knackered plasterwork from the 1970s? Is it not difficult to get it looking decent enough to paint?

There is only one way to do a job. And that is to do it properly.


Take the lining paper off and if the plaster is a mess, get it skimmed. This will give a far better finish for painting or papering.

zoothornrollo_2

phill99 wrote: »

There is only one way to do a job. And that is to do it properly.


Take the lining paper off and if the plaster is a mess, get it skimmed. This will give a far better finish for painting or papering.

OK. We're just a bit afraid of the costs of that if we need to do it throughout.

Annie1960

How long are you planning to stay in the property? The longer you think you might stay, the better job you might want to do.

Around here (south) a plasterer costs £200 - £220 per day

phill99

zoothornrollo wrote: »

OK. We're just a bit afraid of the costs of that if we need to do it throughout.

I fully appreciate that there is a cost implication.


But do one room at a time to make it financially manageable.


Sometimes it I not cost effective to not have it done. It will never look right and you will never be happy with the result.

zoothornrollo_2

Thanks all. Just wondering whether we'd get a plasterer to come round to do just half a wall, which is initially all we'd need. I'm guessing that having a go myself is likely to end in, if not tears, then expletives and a phone call to a plasterer?