The Unexpected Trick That Could Get Your Wallpaper Off More Smoothly

If you've ever tried to take down wallpaper, you know what a tedious and sometimes frustrating job it can be. You're stuck scraping away at the paper that doesn't want to budge, leaving you to peel it away layer by layer and then deal with the sticky residue left behind. One trick to get wallpaper off smoothly is to paint directly over the wallpaper to loosen the adhesive, allowing you to remove it while the paint is still slightly wet. At first glance, the idea seems too good to be true: could a coat of paint really replace traditional wallpaper removal methods? While the concept is intriguing, there are a few reasons to approach it with skepticism.

The logic behind this wallpaper removal trick lies in the fact that many glues and adhesives for wallpaper are water-based. With this, it's possible that applying a layer of wet paint over the surface will seep through and loosen the adhesive, making it easy to remove in one sheet. Still, this method does not come without risks. Add too much paint, and you can damage the drywall behind the paper. Use too thin of a layer, and it may dry too fast, leaving you with uneven paint on your still fully attached wallpaper. There's a lot of gray area as to whether this trick will work, but those who are certain their paper was applied with water-based adhesive can see if it performs better than other convenient wallpaper removal hacks.

If you're willing to give this trick a try, you'll want to grab a roller to apply the paint. It can also be helpful to score the paper with a tool like the WP Chomp Wallpaper Scorer Remover Tool before starting as a way to create more areas where the moisture from the paint can seep behind to the adhesive. One common mistake when painting over wallpaper DIYers may make is using too much paint and oversaturating the wall. Even if you aren't painting for aesthetics, applying it properly will be key to whether or not this trick is successful. Once you have an even layer, you will need to let it dry slightly. Start with 10 to 15 minute increments and test the paper to see if it's ready to peel off. If there's a lot of resistance, let it sit for a bit longer, but not so much that it dries completely. In an ideal scenario, each section should lift fairly easily and peel right away from the wall. Once removed, you can prep your wall for whatever upgrades you have in mind.

While it's true it can be less messy to apply a layer of paint versus dragging out a bucket of warm, soapy water, there's also the risk of this trick not working for every type of wall or adhesive. If you're not quite ready to dive into this type of project, you can always cover your outdated wallpaper with methods like using faux shiplap as a way to upgrade your walls.