[vt_paintr]

I am doing a job for a friend, painting several rooms in her new home (new to contracting on my own, have worked as a painter before). Turns out the bedroom had paint over wallpaper. I wanted to see how easy it would be to remove, so did a test spot. The wallpaper - at least 3 layers plus one of paint - came off no problem with a steamer, BUT somehow the underlying texture is cement-like - flat, not gouged, but slightly rough and sandy. You can still see the old wallpaper company stamp on the back of the bottom layer, so it must be that someone in the 1950s stuck this wallpaper directly to this super weird surface. Anyone ever encountered this? I am thinking to fix it, I should skim coat with drywall mud, then prime, then paint, but would love some advice. Thanks.

 

[fromthenorthwest]

Looks like plaster. I'd skim coat it twice then prime and top coat.

 

[finishesbykevyn]

Almost looks like solid concrete. Is this a house or an apartment building. Either way, like fromthenorthwest said, if you want it smooth, skim it and prime it. Although, I would likely roll a coat of gardz on first, to seal any glue residue from the paper..

 

[vt_paintr]

I think you’re right and it’s actually the ‘brown coat’ layer of plaster - apparently that’s usually finished with the smooth plaster surface, but people used to sometimes just wallpaper it without doing the top layer. It is very flat, though rough - do you think there is a kind of primer I could use without doing the skim coat?

 

[Holland]

I think you’re right and it’s actually the ‘brown coat’ layer of plaster - apparently that’s usually finished with the smooth plaster surface, but people used to sometimes just wallpaper it without doing the top layer. It is very flat, though rough - do you think there is a kind of primer I could use without doing the skim coat?

skim coating is actually pretty easy. If you're a new contractor this might be a good one to cut your teeth on, and there are a lot of people on PT that could help you. It will look like a basement wall if you don't skim it.

*also, you may want to caulk the gaps between the wall and the trim when you reach the "primer" stage.

Like Kevyn said, definitely Gardz before doing anything else, as wallpaper residue will cause failure if you paint over it.

Have a talk with the Homeowner. Make sure they know what to expect, and that you get paid for the extra work. Old homes have a lot of unanticipated work that comes up along the way. They are probably aware of this, and will not be surprised.

 

[vt_paintr]

Ok!! Yes, we have already talked about it, and I think the wallpaper will come off more easily than I expected, so that should save a bit of time. I will be brave! Thanks for the help!

 

[jennifertemple]

Yup! it looks to me like it’s actually the ‘brown coat’ layer of plaster. Concievably there was a thin white coat of plaster that is coming off with the old wall paper. Skim coating adds considerable to the cost of the job. If the HO objects, one could put on a coat of heavy bodied primer and sand. Then just proceed with a regular prime coat.