How to Remove Wallpaper From Unprimed Drywall Without Damage

Yes, you can remove wallpaper from unprimed drywall, but it takes patience. The paste is bonded straight to the drywall's paper face, so the wallpaper has to be softened with water and lifted gently rather than scraped. Work in small sections, keep the wall damp but not soaked, and seal any torn spots before you paint.

How to tell if the drywall is unprimed

Peel back a corner of the wallpaper in an out-of-the-way spot. If brown paper or bits of the drywall face come off with it, the drywall wasn't primed before the wallpaper went up. Homes where wallpaper was hung on new drywall are the most common case.

How to remove it

• Peel the top layer dry. Many wallpapers have a vinyl face that peels off and leaves a paper backing behind. Removing it first lets water reach the paste.
• Soak a small section. Use a pump sprayer or sponge with warm water, or water mixed with a wallpaper remover. Work a few feet at a time so the paste stays soft while you work.
• Let it soak. Give it 10 to 15 minutes to soften. Wet it again if it starts to dry.
• Lift, don't dig. Hold a wide putty knife at a low angle and slide it under the backing. If the knife catches drywall paper, stop and soak that section longer.
• Don't oversoak. Drywall paper can blister and peel if it's saturated. Damp is enough.

After the wallpaper is off

Wash off the leftover paste with warm water and let the wall dry for a day. Seal the wall with an oil-based or shellac-based primer, especially anywhere the drywall paper is torn, so it doesn't bubble under compound or paint. Then skim coat any rough areas, sand, prime and paint. See what to do if wallpaper removal damaged your drywall.

Wallpaper removal in Orlando

New Ceilings removes wallpaper, repairs the drywall underneath and paints across Orlando and Central Florida. Every job starts with a free written quote. See wallpaper removal.