Decorating Query

[doglover]

We need to start attacking one of our dds bedrooms whilst she's away next week. I thought it was going to be a simple case of painting the walls but, on closer inspection, it is not so simple. There is lining paper which has been emulsioned over.
Do I hire a wallpaper stripper (not smutty!)?

please help!

If it's in ok nick just keep painting over it until the room gets too small.

What age is the house? If it's old (say Victorian), you may find that the plaster is in bad nick under the paper and you'll do more harm than good stripping off the paper.

Is the paper damaged and is the surface smooth? Sounds like its in reasonable condition if you've not considered it before.

If so, I would do as Waffly suggests.

Agree with Waffly if you start stripping the paper you may find plaster coming off as well which would turn it into a big job. If it's okay just paint over.

Very helpful, WV!! Unfortunately, it's not in a consistently good condition otherwise I would do just that!!

There is also a very 1980s wallpaper border at dado height which will almost certainly damage things when we remove it.

Thanks, SM. Yes, I think you could be right!

If it's painted over, you'll need to score the paper before steaming, or it won't come off. But go easy, otherwise you definitely will need a plasterer!

Ok, thanks, CDFF

If you don't have a steam stripper you could try soaking the wall with warm water with a little bit of washing up liquid first. Let it soak for five minutes.

Great tip, FL

We managed to find a painter/decorator to come out and give us a quote this evening. I'm still not sure what exactly is necessary and we know that this guy is trustworthy and will give us an honest appraisal. I'll let you now what he thinks ..................