Remove Wallpaper Border using Wallpaper Scraper
If the wallpaper
border was applied over wallpaper you may be lucky as typically the wallpaper
border peels off easily in this situation.
Using a wallpaper
scraper, or a putty knife, attempt to lift a corner of the wallpaper border from
the wall. Newer wallpaper borders are frequently designed to peel off.
If you have success
lifting a corner with the putty knife, use your hands and gently try to remove
the wallpaper border section from the wall by simply peeling it away from it.
If the wallpaper
border was not applied over wallpaper, or if you are unable to lift a corner of
the wallpaper border, or if the backing remains on the wall, apply water or a
liquid wallpaper removal solution to the border. Apply the water or liquid
wallpaper removal solution liberally with a sponge, spray bottle, or paint
roller on the wallpaper and to the point where the wall is saturated.
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Note that if
the wallpaper border has a plastic or vinyl laminate over it you may need to
first lightly scrape/scratch it to enable the water or removal solution to
penetrate into the backing and glue layers.
The wallpaper
border will absorb the water/liquid and the glue will begin to reactivate
and loosen up. Once this has occurred again use a wallpaper scraper or putty
knife, as well as your hands, and begin removing the wallpaper border. |
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Note that removing a wallpaper border is messy and dusty. In addition wallpaper
removal solutions can have fumes that may irritate your sinuses and lungs. Make
sure you work in a well-ventilated area and wear proper clothing, including
gloves. Also make sure you wear safety goggles when removing wallpaper borders.
Preparing Walls for new Wallpaper or Paint
After you have
removed all of the wallpaper border, wipe the walls down with a warm damp sponge to
remove any glue from the wall. Make sure you frequently rinse out the sponge to
remove as much of the wallpaper glue as possible.
Once the wall has
dried lightly sandpaper the walls to remove any residual glue.
Wallpaper Steamer
Another alternative
for the removal of a wallpaper border is to rent a wallpaper steamer. A
wallpaper steamer similarly applies water to the wallpaper border however it is
extremely hot water. The hot steam helps to reactivate and loosen the glue.
After steam heating an area of wallpaper border use your hands and a wallpaper
scraper to remove the wallpaper border from the walls. Note that wallpaper
steamers are messy and a little dangerous so definitely try the above-mentioned
alternatives prior to resorting to the wallpaper steamer.
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Preparing Walls for new Wallpaper Border or Paint
After you have
removed the entire wallpaper border, wipe the walls down with a warm damp sponge
to remove any glue from the wall. Make sure you frequently rinse out the sponge
to remove as much of the wallpaper glue as possible.
Once the wall has
dried lightly sandpaper the walls to remove any residual glue.
If you plan to
replace the wallpaper border you should be at a point where you can now install
it. If, however, you plan on painting the walls you should first apply one coat
of primer and then lightly sand the primer.
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