Wallpaper removal and drywall prep - ridges and glue - going nuts.... (vinyl, Lowes)

[Scott99999]

Hello,

I've read a few dozen sites and books on wallpaper removal and drywall repair, but I can't seem to figure this one out.

I just removed some vinyl wallpaper from our laundry room, exposing some flaky glue that is basically stuck to the drywall paper. I've been using DIF and a scraper to get the majority of the glue up, and then also a slightly damp scrubbing pad to sand / flatten any remaining glue and remove the DIF. I can't get down to "just" paper.

Any dampness whatsoever results in small and pervasive ridges in the dryall surface. I noticed our house painter ran into the same thing months ago. These aren't full bubbles, but the drywall isn't smooth, either. Even the glue isn't "perfectly" smooth.

What to do? Skim coat the whole thing at the end? Is this normal? How perfect should you expect things to be after scraping the glue?

The instructions suggest cleanup with a sponge, but that seems to be the problem.

I'm trying to get this project done, but I'm getting afraid of even touching the surface with anything remotely damp.

My plan is to get the walls flat, then to use Gardz, skim coat, apply Gardz again and paint.

Thanks!

[Threerun]

I just went through the same thing in a powder room. I used some Pirannha remover crap from BLowes and kept spraying and scrubbing, spraying and scrubbing.

Eventually the glue came off or smoothed out from all the damp sponging. I applied a coat of oil based Kilz as a primer (the bathroom stunk of urine and old wallpaper) and I put two coats of finish paint on.

It's not 100% perfect, but it's damn close.

[harry chickpea]

Sometimes it can be easier to just add a thin sheet of gypboard to the wall and start fresh.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Your on the right track- no need to bust your A$$/Wallet. Get it as smooth and clean as possible without going overboard. Let dry well- roll on a good heavy coat of oil based primer. Sand smooth. Skim, and sand smooth. A coat of latex primer- tinted to whatever the final color will be. And then your paint coat.

Done- enjoy

[Moth]

I have had similiar issues. Everyone is correct. I would only add try using an electric sander. Other than that, lots of elbow grease and a lots of primer will get you there.

[Eusibius2]

has anyone ever tried WallWik?

[Threerun]

Originally Posted by Eusibius2

has anyone ever tried WallWik?

No. But at one point I was seriously contemplating the use of a flame thrower to remove that plastered on gunk.

I swear whoever installed the paper in my powder room used 30 metric tons of glue.