Oh, that ugly wallpaper!

Is that outdated wallpaper dragging your room down? Let's get rid of it.

Sure it will be a tough job, but that is why you should hire a pro. I've been removing wallpaper for tens years. Maybe I haven't seen it all, but I've struggled through many, many tough jobs. What make them tough? Let me count the ways.

1. The walls weren't primed before the wallpaper was installed. This allows the adhesive to penetrate the wallboard.
2. The outer, decorative layer resists the adhesive emulsifier solution.
3. Knowing that the walls would be covered with wallpaper, the sheetrock installers did not finish spackling.
4. The adhesive is a concoction the installer mixed that resists emulsifiers and hot water.
5. Caulk was applied to the seam between the paper and adjoining surface.
6. Loose seems were replaced using an adhesive that resists emulsifiers.

Otherwise, it's an easy job. But I never quote a job expecting it will be easy. Because there is almost always something that will require extra time and effort to resolve.

Now for some good news!

I'll take care of all those nagging concerns about that old paper for you. Your walls will be ready for a great makeover when I'm done. I guarantee it.

And by the way; the spa was a wallpapered master bath.

Call me today for a conversation on wallpaper removal and decorating.

Many know David at Ogden Optical. I removed 17-year-old commercial paper and repainted his store. He has been referring me since.

One of the difficult jobs

This is a case of the installer using an adhesive that did not respond well to my emulsifier. Many, many contractors across the country use the emulsifier that I use. Dif doesn't come close to it. So, when an adhesive doesn't respond to it, the adhesive will not respond to anything.

In the first picture, I was making my  way around the room, struggling to get the paper off. Notice the four broken vertical lines in photo #1. I believe the installer used a second adhesive to keep his or her seams on the wall. Photo #2 illustrates the gray spots that are spackle removed with the paper, and the increase of dark adhesive remaining. I'm having a hard time of it. I continued for several more feet, but it just got worse. I called my client into the room to describe my difficulties, and proposed leaving the paper in place. My client explained that she didn't care as long as it was not evident that the paper was still on the wall. So I prepared the wallpaper for painting.

The first step (photo #3) was to remove any loose paper. I moved around the room with a utility knife, slicing off loose paper. The vertical lines in photo #3 were loose seems. Paint will not hide loose seems. Then there is a trick that I'll keep to myself, after which I fill depressions. In photo #4 the vertical white lines are the filled seems. When the spackle is dry I sand and prime the entire room. Then paint.

I recommend that a flat paint is used for the finish layer. The more shine a finish has, the more bumps and depressions become easier to see. This client had already purchased an eggshell. When I returned the next day to do her kitchen, she had finished painting this room, and it looked great.

On time, on budget, and exactly as promised.