Cleaning wallpaper and border paste residue
Tools and materials:
Wear eye protection, respirator dust mask, chemical-resistant rubber work gloves, long sleeve work shirt, cleaning pail or bucket, cleaning cloths, drop cloths, wallpaper stripper or wallpaper paste remover.
Steps
Cover flooring surfaces with a double-layer of drop cloths. A drop cloth can be folded in-half and placed along the base of the wall.
- Wear eye protection, a respirator dust mask, a long sleeve shirt and chemical-resistant rubber work gloves.
- Read and follow the directions on the container of wallpaper stripper or wallpaper paste remover. Mix as directed.
- Wash and rinse all areas of wallpaper paste until clean. Also wash and rinse six inches onto the ceiling, and all wood trim surfaces that the cleaning solution or paste come in contact with.
- Use a 6” taping knife to gently remove any remaining clumps of paste and pieces of wallpaper or border. Work carefully with the taping knife to avoid gouging, tearing or scratching the surface.
Allow drying. A gritty haze will remain after drying.
- Re-clean and rinse any areas that are sticky or that have remaining paste residue.
- Remove the dried haze by sanding the surface using a pole sander with 80-grit pole sander paper. Smaller areas can be sanded using a sanding sponge.
- Remove sanding dust with a wiping cloth or towel. Slightly dampening the wiping cloth or towel will help to control dust. Once any surface moisture (from the wiping cloth) is dry, the surface is ready for surface preparation.
Note: During surface preparation, primer/sealer should be applied to all surfaces where wallpaper and borders have been removed.
This information can be found on page 49 of the book:
The Homeowner's Guide to Surface Preparation for Interior House Painting.
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