Hello mdpa173,
The short answer is, yes, it is futile. It *is* possible to hang
fresh wallpaper, successfully over old wallpaper, but it is not
recommended. The old wallpaper would need to be prepped first, by
being sanded and primed or sized first. New wallpaper can?t bond to
non-porous surfaces, such as very smooth or vinyl wallpaper, or
wallpaper that is dirty or greasy. If your wallpaper is peeling, even
after re-glueing, it is evident the old wallpaper was not properly
prepared.
According to this Do it Yourself site, if the original wallpaper was
a vinyl type of wallpaper, it should be removed first.
?Vinyl-coated Wallpaper:
You must make every effort to remove the wallpaper first. The reason
for this is based on the principle of adhesion. Wallpaper adhesives
stick best on porous surfaces. Coated papers have zero porosity. The
paper does not have the same bonding capabilities as it would over a
properly prepared surface. The other end of the spectrum holds true as
well. Paper applied to un-prepped drywall has too much adhesion,
therefore causing damage upon removal.
There is another issue that recently has become a major topic. That
concerns mold and mildew. Imagine the mold and mildew invitation when
you encapsulate wet adhesive between two layers of non-breathable
vinyl. Aside from the lack of adhesion, you also created the ideal
environment for mold.
If your vinyl wallpaper is causing excessive damage during removal you
should perform the same type of prep that you would for painting
wallpaper prior to re-papering.?
If the original wallpaper was actually made of paper, usually a very
expensive and imported paper, a new layer may be applied over the
original
http://doityourself.com/wallpaper/wallpaperoverwallpaper.htm
?PREVIOUSLY WALLPAPERED WALLS
Old wallpaper should be removed unless in excellent condition.
Wallpaper designated as strippable is easily removed by lifting a
corner and pulling. Unstrippable wallpaper should be sanded, saturated
with water with sponge or sprayer, then scraped off with putty knife.
Walls should be washed and rinsed of the old paste. Lastly, apply
sizing.?
http://www.waverly.com/Project/wpdirect.asp
?Wallpaper can be hung directly over old wallpaper, however many
papers will fall off if you put a heavy wet sheet on top of them. We
recommend removal. Be sure that it is in good condition and repair any
rips, bubbles, or other problems. Be sure to check the seams and
re-glue if needed. Apply a flat oil-based enamel undercoat to the wall
and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Check to see if your new wallpaper
requires a sizing. I recommend one. (With cloth-back vinyl hung over
gypsum board that was never sealed, you need to apply a vinyl-to-vinyl
primer before applying the new paper.)?
http://doityourself.com/wallpaper/wallpaperprep.htm
From an NBC Home and Garden site:
Preparing Wall For Covering
o Turn off electrical power and remove all switch plates and outlet covers.
o It is best to remove old wallpaper before hanging new wallpaper,
especially with vinyl wallpaper.
o Make sure your walls are clean and free of dust.
o Patch any holes with drywall joint compound (spackling).
o Remove any loose pieces with a razor and make sure to sand any
bulging or overlapping areas of paper.
http://www.turnto10.com/homedecor/1177703/detail.html
?Previously wallpapered walls: Today most commercial wallpapers are
"strippable" and easy to remove. Older wallpapers may be tougher.
First, tear away loose paper. Score remaining paper with a scoring
tool or heavy grade sandpaper. Saturate the paper with wallpaper
remover and gently scrape away the old paper. Wash the walls, let dry,
then apply a wallpaper primer made to be used with the wallpaper
you're hanging.?
http://www.villagehome.com/WALLYS/HOWTO.asp
?It is recommended that you completely remove any existing wallpaper
before you begin to apply the new design.?
http://www.millardlumber.com/HowTo/wpaper/howwall.htm
I hope this helps you get your wallpaper repaired! If any part of my
answer is unclear, please request an Answer Clarification, before
rating.
Regards,
crabcakes
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Wallpaper over wallpaper
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