BIG TIME necessary to rinse WELL!!!

Use a WET sponge, squeeze out often. Use a couple 5-gal. buckets...
One to squeeze "dirty" rinse water into...
The other to re-load with clean rinsing water.

Do 2 or 3 "rinsing laps" around the room.

(then break out the Nuprin!)

Faron

Awright, is there something better that I won't have to do such extensive rinsing? Glad I didn't open the bottle

thank you, paintguy! That's JUST what I was thinking -- why use those kind of cleaners at all? (I'm learning...) The DIF is kind of expensive, so I've been alternating that with vinegar and water, although I heard that vinegar might be a problem, I don't know. I was certainly wondering about GARDZ, in fact was just about to call the corporate headquarters to make sure I can use it. The girl at HD told me about it but then the paintman there disagreed with her saying that the ONLY THING that will do would be to absolutely remove every bit of residue. Evidently you don't have to do that with Gardz, is that true? In fact I am under the impression that I don't even have to take off the liner paper if I apply Gardz. I am getting as much off the walls as I can, but the Gardz might solve my problem. I plan to paint over that. Your comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm not paintguy, but have removed my fair share of wallpaper. Someone on here recommended a product called Safe & Simple. You order it online, arrives in a few days. Truly the best - and most economical - stuff I've come across for removing wallpaper and all remaining residue.

Removing all residue is really what you need to do. I've also used GARDZ over previously wallpapered walls just to be absoutely certain - and it works beautifully.

There is nothing worse than a perfect paint job being ruined by old wallpaper glue - it's called crazing. No matter how ugly and labor intensive it is to remove residue and properly prep the walls, it's nothing compared to having to go back and try to correct crazing. Been there, done that and it's no fun.

Take your time. It is not a quick job and good luck. :-)

funcolors, thank you! I need all the advice I can get, and reading everybody's opinions and then figuring it all out has really helped me! I'll look up the Safe and Simple, and thanks for your vote of confidence for the Gardz.

Yeah you don't have to use DIF. There are several methods that work including wallwick, S&S, vinegar and others. I use a green scrubbie pad in circular motions to loosen up the glue then sponge rinse it off. In the old days I used to agonize over removing every bit of residual paste but now I usually aim for about 95 percent removal and then I just use Gardz. It works.

Totally forgot about a scruby-thing, PG!

Decorativewalls suggested a 3M Doobie pad that you pick up at the grocery. The Safe & Simple and the Doobie pads are my favorite wallpaper removing weapons at the moment. :-) Although I am sooo ready to put them away.

Jasco TSP substitute in warm water readily removes the paste. I prefer the synthetic sanding pads to cut through the gummy mess and then rinse with grout sponge.

Of course you'll get some exercise with either method above.

I stripped and repainted my neighbor's small 1/2 bath last week. Whew! I'm glad those days are over! :)

Detailing cars is so much easier and relaxing.

Michael

Hi paintguy,

Must I rinse with water after using Dirtex?

I've just finished washing my walls with Dirtex and am looking forward to putting the Gardz on and moving on to the next step, so I just wanted to know if I really really have to go over the walls again.

(I will if I *have* to. But I'd like to know if I can avoid it. :-)

Thanks!

You don't need to rinse Dirtex as long as you mix it according to the directions.

Excellent, thanks!

I have a 8" clothes steamer that I used that helped peel the paper off down to the paint beneath. Then I purchase a bigger steamer that hold about 1 quart of water and it worked just as well, It was just heavier when I was holding up my little weak arms. No problem though. Just got a higher ladder. So far I have removed and replaced the wallpaper in four rooms. Went well.