Tips on removing paper from ceiling

stevoh

Hi,

I’m currently stripping the lining paper from a room with the aim of getting it re skimmed and then painting. Quite a few cracks were showing through.

I used a steamer on the walls and got them finished in less than a day.

I started the ceiling and thought I was making ok progress but then realised there was another layer below. It’s coated with a more shiny, more water resistant coat and I’m having to pick the top of this later off with my fingers then steam the brown under layer below. It’s incredibly painstaking and slow.

Anyone got any ideas/tips? Also what state do the walls need to be in to be re-skimmed. If it has tiny pieces of paper dotted around will that be an issue? 

FreeBear

stevoh said: I started the ceiling and thought I was making ok progress but then realised there was another layer below. It’s coated with a more shiny, more water resistant coat and I’m having to pick the top of this later off with my fingers then steam the brown under layer below. It’s incredibly painstaking and slow.

Do you know how the ceiling is constructed ?

i.e. Lath & plaster, or plasterboard - If the latter, you may well be picking at the paper covering of the plasterboard, in which case you need to stop and consult with your plasterer.

stevoh

Thanks. How would I know the difference? The underneath material is solid, grey coloured. 

Carrot007

Having done this myself I would say just remove everything and get some new plasterboard. Well worth the cost (and would be cheaper if you paid someone to do it!).

FreeBear

stevoh said: Thanks. How would I know the difference? The underneath material is solid, grey coloured.

It looks suspiciously like plasterboard - If you take a look in your loft (or lift a floorboard), the top side of the ceiling will probably have a brown or grey/white paper covering.

stevoh

Thanks. I messaged a plasterer and he said just replace the board 

stevoh

He did also say he could skim over if I wanted too though 

fenwick458

how much have you got off so far? you could try scoring the paper so the water soaks into it, and soaking it more (or steaming)
for wetting the ceiling use a pressure sprayer and set it to a fine mist then just keep going over it, lots will drip onto the floor. once it's wet enough it should be easy to get off

stevoh

Thanks. I was doing that but it would seem I’ve been taking the paper off the plasterboard itself. The layer I actually need to take off has been coming off easily. 

fenwick458

if you were taking the paper off the plasterboard you would now about it, you'd be left with a white crumbly surface thats uneven. it doesn't look like that to me

stevoh

fenwick458 said:

if you were taking the paper off the plasterboard you would now about it, you'd be left with a white crumbly surface thats uneven. it doesn't look like that to me

That’s good to know. So can I just get it skimmed? Do I need to strip it back to that surface?