How to jemmy off an old dado rail?

[PlumbingQuandry]

This dado isn't original to the house & I want to remove it so that this wall matches those opposite for papering. What's the simplest way to jemmy it off? I don't have a crow-bar but I do have most of the other regular tools. I don't want to knacker a chisel but that seems like the most likely tool? I think this bit of wall is thin too so I don't want to end up with a hole in my bedroom wall! How would you do it?

I would strip the paint off it and find out how it’s attached - might be panel pins in which case it’s easy, might be glue in which case it’ll probably bring what’s underneath it off with it

The curved bit of a hammer.

I persuaded my DP this would be an easy job, it wasn't. loads of plaster came off with the first section and although he developed a technique with the rest loads of filling and sanding was needed. Be careful how y ou get started to avoid those problems.

if modern, it's very likely glued on. Try to get a metal paint scraper under the edge.

If nicely done, it will be screwed. Run your fingertips or a magnet along the painted surface and you will probably detect them. Scrape off the paint and filler over the heads, easy.

Unless it is 50 years old or more it is unlikely to be nailed. If it is you can use a pry bar and you will have to mend the plaster afterwards.

Use the scraper to remove the paint and filler ridges.

I never thought of a magnet, genius! Thanks Piglet.