I posted this on the Bathroom board, but didn't get much of a response. Can anyone here shed some light?

Our master bath is quite large and we recently had the 2 layers of wallpaper removed. I use "removed" loosely because the bottom layer of wallpaper was put up on virgin drywall and a portion of the backing will not come off the walls. I need advise on what to do with these walls! I like the beadboard look as my home has mainly "coastal" decor, but I have a jacuzzi tub that is another issue, not sure what to do around that area that would blend with the bead board. We had thought about doing a textured paint, but not sure if that would hold up in a bath. Any suggestions?

Hi. Having just recently removed paper in my kitchen, I can recommend some home remedies to help in the removal of the backing paper. Spritz it w/ vinegar* and warm water (mixed) and allow it to set for a few mins. (approx. 10) before gently scraping off. The paper may even peel off w/ ease. Do use a cleaner to remove any excess glue (home centers stock these..I forget the name of the product my DH used). You may have to remedy any gouges or holes by spackling and sanding. When dry, prime w/ Kilz or Binz and paint w/ a latex that has a anti-mildew additive.
*Liquid fabric softener w/ warm water can be used instead of vinegar.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

Froo Froo, we tried that, but since the backing is on virin dry wall it is stuck and absolutely won't come off, we'ved tried steam, dif, vinegar, fabric softner and hot water this stuff short of using dynamite isn't coming off these walls!

Oh, I feel for you! Been there. If the cure wasn't complete on the drywall before the wallpapering was done, that final layer is embedded, not merely adhered.

I like the beadboard idea, especially if you're going for coastal look. For the rest, the only suggestion I have is to dry sand. Get it down to as even a surface as possible. Then skim coat a layer of drywall mud, and sand again. Prime/seal, and paint. It's a pain in the patootey, but if it's a small enough area, it's do-able. The key is to get it sanded to where the moisture in the drywall skim coat isn't going to cause the backing paper to bubble.

Why is it that when TRYING to remove the paper, no manner of moisture has effect, but when you're resigned to leaving it, the backing decides to bubble its fool head off? Maybe you can trick it.

Having just redone my mom's house, and the wallpaper there was put on with cement, I ended up with big holes in walls. A few ideas.....spackle the holes. I used an entire 5 gallon container of spackle in 1 living room, but it looks great now. next- cover the areas with new drywall- fresh start. Wallpaper, there are ones for bathrooms. texture paint, I use Ralph lauren sandstone in bathrooms, but get the coating that goes over top or else when it gets steamy you see runs. And if you have big damage areas, the texture isn't going to cover it. or go with the beadboard, which I did in 1 room, and it looks very nice. I guess you might want to consider that there could be a time when the walls will have to be repaired, so do you do it now, or later

I feel you! I am dealing with this right now. I just took my bathroom wallpaper down yesterday to reveal HUGE holes in the drywall! As much as I hate it. I am picking out new wallpaper as we speak and will be putting that up.

I'd say use a tiled wall around the jacuzzi. For that matter, a tiled bathroom looks nice anyway - but I guess the labor would be quite massive, and perhaps very expensive.

Beadboard would look nice - and I think you could probably put a new coat of mud and primer over that icky glued on wallpaper backing just to smooth it out.

i've just used a wallpaper that looks like beadboard - its thicker than regular wallpaper and looks convincingly real - this would cover your defects and give u the look u want - its also easy to hang - much easier to work with than regular paper