Originally Posted by fabric whisperer
anyone know if this would work over older wallpaper? We have been trying for 16 years to get this old nasty flowered wallpaper off the wall... tried fabric softener trick, heat trick, water soaks, sanding (top layer is kinda plasticized finish)... nothing works, and its pale yellow flowered in my SON's room ... he's not amused by my not being successful in removal!
If this starch trick would work over wallpaper if its cleaned first, I could give him his Pokemon wall he wants :shock:
...and might it work on flannel, too? Or would that be too thick? I see some use dec wt. fabrics? flannel isn't too much thicker
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If your fabric has a busy pattern where irregularities on the wall surface wouldn't show through I think you'll be okay, but my biggest concern is the 'plasticized finish'. If it is a vinyl wallpaper you should be able to pull it off the wall (if the wallboard had been prepared with a sealer or painted first), which should leave the wallpaper backing still on the wall. That is what you need to wet and scrape off, or just fabric over it.
In regard to heavier wt fabrics, I'd roll full strength starch on the wall first, then apply fabric that has been dipped in starch and hand wrung out, onto the wall. Do a test area first.