What is the best way to fix painted wallpaper glue on a wall that is not coming off smoothly?
Asked by Mike Rice 
8 months ago
Last Updated: May 3, 2024
Hey guys! So, I kinda messed up thinking I could just sand off the wallpaper glue before painting the wall. Turns out, I didn’t get it all off and now it looks pretty awful after just the first coat of paint. Any suggestions on what I should do next? Should I keep sanding? Try some wallpaper glue removal tricks even though it’s already been painted? Maybe use a razor scraper? I’m already kicking myself for this mistake, so please spare me the “I told you so’s.” I know it was a bad idea now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Try using a chemical adhesive remover from the big home improvement stores along with the strippers etc. Give it a shot and try scraping with a 4″ razor
Is still around, even with a fresh coat of paint?
I’m not an expert, but I’m willing to give it a try. I used it on metal cabinets to remove some glued-on stuff, and it ended up taking the paint off too. Oh well! 🤷
Have you tried using mean green? It does the same thing and costs way less
Hey Carolyn, it might seem impossible now but I believe in you 💯
Hey there , give it a shot and see how it goes!
This product works great. We initially purchased pricey items to get rid of the glue, but then a colleague recommended this and it worked better than anything else.
Success for Chris is awesome! Just a tip, try an easy solution before going all out and tearing down the drywall. It might not work, but if it does, it’ll save a lot of time and money.
We found a few gouges, about 10 of them, but we were able to fix them with skim coat and sanding. Removing wallpaper can be a real pain sometimes.
I would recommend skimming all the walls with drywall mud.
Is absolutely right. As a seasoned paint contractor, the best option is to skim it to smooth it out. Another alternative is to cover it with 1/4 inch drywall and finish the job. Personally, I would opt for skimming it. Then, seal off the rest of the house with plastic, turn off the HVAC, sand it down, and finally, prime and paint it.
Is there a noticeable texture change or is it simply a chemical reaction caused by the glue? You could apply oil primer to everything and repaint if the texture issue isn’t visible. If it is visible, you might need to use oil primer first, followed by a skim coat of drywall mud, texture as needed, then prime once more. After that, you can proceed with painting.
Sure thing! So, , there’s visible texture in random spots.
Now that the paint is applied, avoid using a solvent as it won’t penetrate through to the glue. You’ll need to remove both the paint and glue, or consider skim coating with drywall mud, covering with 1/4” drywall sheets, and taping and mudding.
Looks like you’re in a tough spot. I think the best solution would be to skim coat it with drywall mud, prime it, and then start fresh.
If you just painted, I suggest scrubbing off the excess paint as much as possible. Technically, it takes 3 days to fully dry. Use Downy laundry rinse to remove the wallpaper glue. It’s going to require some effort, but I hope it’s plaster and not drywall.
Hey , it looks like it’s made of drywall.
Give the wall some texture and apply another layer of paint.
Either sand it completely off or apply a skim coat to make it smooth…
At this stage, I’d recommend focusing on how to cover and blend the paint rather than removing it. Adding a light texture gets my vote. ✅
Try using mean green along with a scraper to remove the glue while it’s still wet. ‘t waste money on expensive products; mean green from d.g. works well. However, now that you’ve painted it, there’s a new issue to deal with. I suggest skim coating it
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Homax-Roll-on-texture-2-Gallon-White-Sand-Wall-And-Ceiling-Texture/3648060?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-ggl-_-LIA_PNT_221_Glue-Adhesives-Caulk-Repair-_-3648060-_-local-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r-vBhC-ARIsAGgUO2AQijiSbZ9ji00mL5EGMdm5w0szCcoMhKxqxKwGSXLckGbetjd3Fj0aAn5TEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
We did this and it turned out well, covering the glue that was hard to remove
I suggest applying a good primer over the previous coats to see the outcome.
Apply two coats of oil-based primer such as Kilz or CoverStain.
Put 1/4 inch drywall on top for a smooth finish.
I wouldn’t do that unless you want your door jambs and window frames to be set back by 1/4 inch.
Came up with a pretty ridiculous idea, just like AJ said.
Hey , , that’s strange. I actually did the same in my house and didn’t run into any issues. Interestingly, my door jambs don’t sit flush with the walls. It’s a bit unusual, I know. Maybe the mistake isn’t as obvious as it seems…
Hey , your door jamb should line up with your walls, although the trim around it might not. But the door jamb and windows should be in alignment.
Allow it to dry, then sand it down, apply primer, maybe sand again, add a second coat of primer, and then paint.
I can’t stand wallpaper for this exact reason… that’s why I prefer to rip it out and install new Sheetrock instead of dealing with all the hassle.
If the paint sticks well, you can skim coat the drywall mud on any problem areas, add texture with orange peel or knockdown, and then paint. It’s not too difficult.
If you notice some areas that need fixing, you can sand them down and repaint or apply a skim coat, depending on what works best for your budget and time.
Thinking of using high nap paint? How about pairing it with high nap eggshell or a knockdown texture? Another option could be to plaster the wall.
Just grab some goof off from the bottle, put a little on a rag, and rub the spots to remove the paint and glue.
Another option is to use an orbital sander to address the issue.
I used to face the exact issue. It was frustrating to see the paint bubble off every time I painted. Here’s what finally did the trick: Apply a fresh coat of paint, then use a metal putty knife to scrape off the wet paint along with the adhesive. Repeat this process a few times until most of the glue is removed before repainting.
Skim with mud, lightly sand, prime, and then paint.
It’s a common problem, but there’s a solution. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Let the Paint Dry: Make sure the paint is completely dry before trying to fix the problem.
Assess the Situation: If there isn’t too much glue residue, try sanding it down gently with fine-grit sandpaper to avoid wall damage.
Use Wallpaper Glue Remover: For more extensive residue, use a wallpaper glue remover. You can apply it over paint, but remember to repaint later. Follow the instructions carefully.
Try Steam: You can also use a steamer to soften the paint and glue, then gently scrape it off with a putty knife.
Careful Razor Scraping: If scraping is necessary, be very gentle to avoid damaging the wall. This process requires patience and precision.
Prime the Wall: After removing the glue, prime the wall with a high-quality primer to seal porous areas and prepare for new paint.
Smooth with Joint Compound: If the wall is uneven after removal, apply a thin layer of joint compound, let it dry, and then sand it down for a smooth finish.
Clean and Repaint: Thoroughly clean the wall to remove any dust or debris from sanding. Once clean, repaint the wall for a fresh appearance.
Hey , I’m facing a similar issue, but I haven’t painted yet. I need to cover a large room where I removed the wallpaper with minimal wall damage, but there’s a lot of glue left. What do you suggest?
Removing wallpaper adhesive can present a bit of a challenge, especially in spacious areas. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you address the situation:
Prepare the Room: Clear out furniture or move it to the center covered with a drop cloth. Place drop cloths along the walls to catch any drips.
Score the Glue: If the glue is thick, lightly score it with a wallpaper scoring tool to aid the removal process.
Apply a Removal Solution: Use a commercial adhesive remover or create a DIY solution with hot water and vinegar or fabric softener in a spray bottle. Apply generously to the walls and let it sit for a few minutes.
Scrape Off the Glue: Gently use a broad knife or scraper to remove the glue. Be cautious not to damage the drywall underneath.
Wash the Walls: Once most of the glue is removed, wash the walls with a sponge and soapy water. Rinse with clean water.
Tackle Tough Spots: For stubborn residue, reapply the removal solution and allow it to sit longer before attempting to scrape it off.
Dry the Walls: Ensure the walls are completely dry, which may take up to 24 hours. This is essential before painting or adding new wallpaper.
Sand Smooth: If any glue residue creates a rough texture, lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper.
Prime the Walls: Prior to painting, apply a high-quality primer to seal porous areas and provide a suitable surface for paint adherence.
Always wear protective gloves and a face mask if sensitive to dust or fumes while working with chemicals or doing extensive scraping. For larger rooms, focus on one wall at a time to prevent the solution from drying out before removal.
Use a primer like bin, killz, or guards and consider skimming the walls with joint compound.