Removal guide
How to Remove an Old Wallpaper Border (and What to Do With the Wall After)
An old wallpaper border is removed like any other paper: score it lightly, soften the paste with a remover, peel it off and wash the residue away. The real work is usually what is left behind: a ghost line where the wall around it was painted, adhesive residue, and sometimes torn drywall paper that must be sealed before painting.
In short
- Borders are common in kitchens, baths and kids' rooms from the 1980s and 1990s.
- Many borders were hung over painted walls, so the paint under them may differ.
- Expect a visible line where the wall was painted around the border.
- Seal torn drywall paper before repainting, or it will bubble.
Steps to remove a border
- Test a corner: some borders peel off dry.
- If not, score the border lightly and apply a wallpaper remover.
- Wait for the paste to soften, then peel and scrape gently.
- Wash off the remaining paste; old adhesive left on the wall causes paint to crack later.
- Let the wall dry fully.
The problems you find underneath
| What you see | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A line or color band | Paint around the border aged or was repainted | Prime and repaint the whole wall |
| Brown paper showing | Drywall face torn during removal | Seal with shellac or oil-based primer, patch, sand |
| Shiny, sticky areas | Adhesive residue | Wash again before priming |
| A ridge along the edges | Paint built up against the border | Sand smooth or skim |
What next: paint or wallpaper?
Many homeowners replace a dated border with an accent wall or a full room of wallpaper, which hides the old line entirely. If you plan to paint, prime the whole wall so the old border area does not show through. See choosing an accent wall.
Where we work: neighborhoods and ZIP codes
We remove old borders from 1980s and 1990s homes across Gwinnett County, Roswell, East Cobb and Alpharetta.
Gwinnett County
- 30017 Grayson
- 30096 Duluth
- 30092 Peachtree Corners
- 30071 Norcross
- 30093 Norcross
- 30043 Lawrenceville
- 30045 Lawrenceville
- 30046 Lawrenceville
- 30019 Dacula
- 30052 Loganville
- 30078 Snellville
- 30039 Snellville
- 30518 Buford / Sugar Hill
- 30519 Buford
Roswell and East Cobb
- 30075 Roswell
- 30076 Roswell
- 30077 Roswell
- 30062 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30066 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30068 Marietta / East Cobb
Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek
- 30004 Alpharetta / Milton
- 30005 Alpharetta
- 30009 Alpharetta
- 30022 Alpharetta / Johns Creek
- 30024 Suwanee / Johns Creek
- 30097 Johns Creek / Duluth
Also serving: Buckhead and North Atlanta; Cumming; Woodstock, Canton and Hall County. Not sure we cover your street? Send your ZIP code with a quote request.
About WallPros. WallPros LLC is a wallpaper installation company based in Grayson, Georgia, serving Gwinnett County, North Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, East Cobb, Cumming and the rest of Metro Atlanta for 10 years. We install, remove and prepare walls for homeowners, interior designers and builders.
FAQ
Common questions
Can I paint over a wallpaper border?
Not recommended. The edges and texture show through paint, and the border can bubble.
How long does border removal take?
A typical room's border is usually removed in a few hours; repairs and priming add time.
Why is there a line after removing my border?
The paint around the border faded or was repainted while the area under the border stayed original.