The Best Way to Remove Wallpaper Glue

[@jamesp739]

Because I already had them in my collection of tools, I used 6" and 10" drywall knives and a mud tray. I softened the glue using hot water and a squirt of liquid dish soap in a gallon sized garden sprayer. After having done several jobs at different times, I have found removing wallpaper and paste not too picky. Just use the tools and methods that work for you. Be prepared to experiment though. Thanks for posting.

[@StevesGarage]

Thanks for the comment! The more ideas for methods the better! Mud knives and pans is a great idea. A nice wide flat surface, and the pan to catch all the goop.

[@susanblackley7065]

Thank you! Informative video, great real-time example, and a comprehensive explanation.

[@StevesGarage]

You're welcome! Glad it helped out.

[@lahaza6515]

I find that it takes longer than 2 to 5 min, and a wipe down with a hot damp sponge first really helps

[@StevesGarage]

Warm water definitely helps more. You're right, time is totally subjective. I don't have a ton of experience with different glue, but different areas of my room had much different amounts of glue. Slow and steady is definitely the better way to go to avoid damage of the wall though.

[@K.Kadogo]

Thanks for sharing this technique. People were making it look semi-straight forward and your video looks much more like my awful wall. I’ll follow your tips!

[@StevesGarage]

Glad you found this helpful. I definitely agree that most videos seem to highlight a best case scenario, whereas my wall was anything but. I can say that after quite a bit of mudding (something I'm not good at) and some flat wall paint, it looks fantastic. Looking over the room you'd never know it ever looked like the mess I showed in the video. Good luck!

[@kalist123]

Dude wallpaper is the worst. Had to spend like two weeks scraping that stuff off the walls. We basically did the same thing after some trial and error, this would have been helpful as heck.

[@StevesGarage]

It truly is the worst. I still have more left outside the room, but kept myself to just taking it out of the laundry room since that's where I was working. I'm not ready to scrape mud and paint the kitchen and stairwell yet. Mine is at least painted gray so I don't have to look at some crazy walls, but you can see the texture and some bubbling if you look closely.

[@amberkern2609]

I don’t want to remove wallpaper ever again as long as I live. What a total nightmare. Thanks for the videos! Just as tedious as what I’m dealing with.

[@StevesGarage]

100% the same. It's truly the worst. I have a similar situation in my kitchen and basement stairwell with painted over wallpaper. I'm not looking forward to the day I decide to tackle it.

[@mariecraig239]

I’m using a spray bottle with white vinegar. Spraying it heavily letting it sit spraying again. Using a barbecue spatula working great.

[@StevesGarage]

Awesome tip! White vinegar is definitely an amazing product. There are a ton of uses for it.

[@KyleOliver-g4u]

I am doing a bedroom right now, just using warm water with dish soap and baking soda. Works good.

[@StevesGarage]

Sometimes that's all you need. The spray is nice for more stubborn glue.

[@rubidas799]

What is the process

[@Driftwoodbaby]

I've been using a steamer I have- but it makes such a gross mess. For as gross and messy it is, it doesn't even get a lot done. I'm going to try this, see if it's any cleaner/easier for awkward places.

[@StevesGarage]

I went straight to this method after a friend didn't have luck with a steamer and used this instead. Good luck, let me know how you make out!

[@cyhomer]

Hi Steve, I’ve just removed some VERY OLD paper from a wall and it has left that old, hard, yellowed glue just like on your wall…my wall is old plaster. Will this product work okay on plaster? Thanks! Appreciate it.

[@StevesGarage]

I have zero experience with plaster walls, so I hesitate to give any advice as I wouldn't want to mess up your walls. Have you tried a wallpaper steamer? From what I've read a steamer works well on plaster. This product doesn't say you can't use it on plaster, so maybe test a small inconspicuous area first?

[@jackwardley3626]

quite a expensive way of getting rid of paste when you can just use warm water what is the zinsser gear 10-15 quid a bottle

[@StevesGarage]

If warm water works, that's great. It didn't work for me though, which is why this stuff was such a life saver. It cost me $15 for the gallon jug.

[@JT-tz5gs]

Do you have to remove the glue before skimming/ plastering? Or can you plaster over? Thanks

[@StevesGarage]

You do. The plaster/mud won't stick to wallpaper glue, even if it's dry.

[@JT-tz5gs]

Man that’s a lot of work, can they seal it with pva?

[@StevesGarage]

I don't have experience with PVA, but I'm pretty sure paint wont stick to it because it's waterproof. Sometimes there's no easy button.

[@lolajacomino6574]

Thank you for your work and for sharing

[@StevesGarage]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@kimwaknitz7594]

We have plaster walls, got the paper of now left with the glue. Will this work on plaster walls as well.

[@StevesGarage]

I would think that it shouldn't be an issue using it on plaster. I couldn't find anything that says not to. That being said, definitely test in a small area first, then work from there.

[@furryplantsandcoins9070]

Wouldn't it be easier just to get it industrial steamer? They're not that expensive. And It's a lot quicker. I wasn't wanting to run all the way to go get mine. But I'm not going to spend more money on chemicals.

[@StevesGarage]

I had a friend use a similar spray after nothing else worked for them. So that's what I went for rather than buy a steamer that I won't use again. A steamer might be a better buy if you have a ton of wallpaper to remove, but I haven't used one so I can't say for sure.

[@Optimustron962]

I used a steamer today. The outer wall paper came off just fine but the glued backing stayed on. That portion pulls off in small pieces. I tried to go back and use the steamer on the glued layer but the sheet rock pulls off with it.