Ack! Stubborn wallpaper paste on the bathroom ceiling!

[Barb D]

The previous owner of our house stripped the wallpaper from the bathroom walls and ceiling (?!?) before he sold it to us, but left the paste residue. I just spent a lovely afternoon stripping the paste from the walls, but I can't get it off the ceiling. I don't know whether it's because the paste was applied more heavily there, or because the chemicals (DIF) drip off before they have time to do their work or what. What am I going to have to do to get this mess off the ceiling? What will happen if I just paint over it? (BTW, there's mildew mixed in with the wallpaper paste. Eeeww!) And who on earth wallpapers a bathroom ceiling anyway?

 

[RitaZ.]

Have you tried the DIF Gel? Apply it with a roller instead of spraying it, let it sit for the recommended amount of time, then wipe or scrub off. I would wait to remove the mildew until after you've removed the glue.

Good luck, I hate doing what you are doing. There are some folks that wallpaper their ceilings, I can't figure that one out.

 

[AmoDolphin]

I didn't know there was a gel! I'll have to give that a try.

Thanks, Rita!

(This is Barb...)

 

[RitaZ.]

No problem! It worked great, especially if you want to control the mess. It comes in a spray bottle, but you would waste a lot by spraying it, not to mention the mess. I think they sell refill bottles. I just poured the gel into a paint tray and then applied it with a roller. Since the paper is already off, it should be easier to remove the glue. Try it in a small area first. Good luck!

 

[Barb D]

OK, I tried the gel. It worked on the stubborn spots on the wall, but no go on the ceiling. What little that did come off the ceiling was in chips, not goo. I'm thinking now that maybe the ceiling surface wasn't prepped before the paste was applied, so what I'm getting off is the surface under the paste. WHAT a MESS!

I'm taking a break now before I go in and wipe the whole mess up. I told DH I've had enough of it, and if he doesn't want to deal with it (sanding or whatever) I'm going to hire a handyman. I've spent way too much of the time I don't have on this already.

Edit: BTW, Rita, 4yoDD loves your Hello Kitty!