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The solution for when wallpaper disobeys

Don't you hate it when do-it-yourself projects don't go as planned? Removing wallpaper can be a nightmare - especially when chunks of drywall come off with the wallpaper. In this project, more than half the wall was down to brown paper layer of the old drywall. (not a good feeling nor an attractive sight)

Here is the "BEFORE" photo:

Is the solution to skim coat the whole wall? NO.
Is the solution to just put up new drywall sheets? NO.
Is the solution to put up paintable wallpaper? NO.

I was desperate and began researching what to do. I found this product: Zinsser's GARDZ .

Directly from Zinserr website:

GARDZ High Performance Sealer is a unique water-base sealer for porous and potential problem surfaces. It is formulated to deeply penetrate and dry to a hard, moisture resistant film that seals and binds down porous, chalky and crumbling surfaces, paints and texture finishes.

GARDZ is recommended for: damaged drywall, new drywall, spackling and joint compound skim coats, plaster, calcimine, uncoated wallpaper, wallcovering adhesive residue, texture paint, popcorn ceilings and builder's flat paint.

GARDZ takes the "problem" out of problem surfaces. It penetrates even multiple layers of drywall facing paper and even chalky, builder's flat paint and dries to a rock-hard, water-resistant finish that protects surfaces from damage during the next redecorating project.

I thought this stuff was too good to be true. But I can tell you from personal experience. GARDZ ROCKS!

Here is the "AFTER":

Sure there was still some patching and sanding but Gardz was a lifesaver. I highly recommend it.
Now...on to the next project!

Posted by Julie Dana, ASP: Staging for Buffalo, NY area on 02/07/2008 07:46 AM

Comments (9)

before and after photos, remodeling, painting, wallpaper, drywall

9 Comments on The solution for when wallpaper disobeys

Wow! That looks great. I am going to add that to my list of great products. Thanks for the tip.

02/07/2008 07:57 AM

by Gaye Granice, Associate Broker (Appleseed Homes GMAC Realty)

Wow! is right Julie. Do you have a professional do the application or is this easy enough for a home owner to use? We have a project which I felt would simply have to resort to new drywall. Now I have to rethink that. Thanks for the information.

02/07/2008 02:02 PM

by Yvonne Root Northern Arizona Home Stager (rooms b.y. root)

Yvonne- A homeowner can do it. It is like a thin clear coat that goes on just like primer but kinda hardens like a shell to seal the porous cardboard-like drywall. Normally when wet paint or primer is applied to the cardboard-like layer of drywall it will bubble and get uneven. This stuff gives it a smooth sealed layer to apply the primer/paint to. You still have to do some sanding and patching but you don't have to skim coat the whole wall.

02/07/2008 02:15 PM

by Julie Dana, ASP: Staging for Buffalo, NY area (The Home Stylist)

Awesome tip, thanks for sharing! If you have anymore goodies, please add to my post:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/370272/Happy-Heart-Day-Spread

I'm collecting tips/resources as a V-Day treat for all us stagers! :)

All the best,

Audrey

02/07/2008 02:59 PM

by Audrey Hoffman, SimplyStage (SimplyStage)

Very cool Julie, Thanks for the added information.

02/07/2008 03:00 PM

by Yvonne Root Northern Arizona Home Stager (rooms b.y. root)

I wish I would have known about this six months ago when I removed wallpaper from a friends house. Never again!

02/07/2008 05:54 PM

by Kristina, KFM Staging & Design - A Minnesota Home Staging Company (KFM Staging & Design)

This is very helpful, thanks! I will pass this info on to clients who have to deal with wallpaper removal next week.

02/21/2008 07:19 PM

by Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations)

I like the sound of this product. I have a old home that we just purchased that has plaster walls. We need to repaint and repair several places on the walls and this sounds like the perfect idea. Have you seen it used on plaster walls? Thanks for the great idea!

02/22/2008 01:35 PM

by Calvin Neely, FLI Properties (FLI Properties)

I will have to pass this along to my brother, he is getting ready to take down some old wall paper in his kitchen (thank goodness).

02/22/2008 01:50 PM

by Sandra Hughes-Redesigned Spaces-Virginia Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, VA (Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia)

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