Wallpaper stripped and walls repaired the right way, by a licensed, insured team
Overview
Wallpaper removal is one of the trickiest prep jobs in the painting trade. Done wrong, it can damage the drywall underneath and create more problems than it solves. We handle the full process from strip to restore: removing the wallpaper, repairing any wall damage left behind, and properly priming the surface so it is truly ready for a fresh coat of paint.
The Process
- Protection & Containment. Wallpaper removal is a messy job. Glue, water, and paper backing can end up everywhere. Before we start, we fully cover floors, furniture, trim, and adjacent surfaces to keep the work area contained and protect your home.
- Wallpaper Removal. We carefully strip the wallpaper using the appropriate method for the wall and adhesive type, working to minimize damage to the drywall underneath. Timeline depends on whether the walls were primed prior to wallpaper installation. If so, the process is quick and smooth. If not, the timeline increases, which is why all estimates are based on a normal removal basis as if the walls were primed prior.
- Wall Inspection. Once the wallpaper is off, we inspect the surface closely. In many homes, especially older installations, the wallpaper was hung without a primer coat first. Without that barrier, the paper bonds directly to the drywall paper face, and removal can gouge or tear the wall surface.
- Wall Repair & Restoration. Where the wall has been gouged, torn, or damaged from the wallpaper coming up, we patch and repair the drywall to restore a smooth, paint-ready surface. This step is where skill really matters. A rushed repair shows through the final paint job, and we take the time to get it right.
- Glue Residue Removal & Sealing. Leftover adhesive residue is cleaned from the wall, then sealed with an oil-based primer. Oil primer is essential here. It locks down any remaining glue residue and prevents it from bleeding through or interfering with the topcoat, which a standard latex primer cannot reliably do.
- Final Prep for Paint. With the walls repaired, primed, and sealed, they are ready for your finish paint of choice.
Why the Primer Step Matters
A lot of wallpaper problems trace back to one thing: the wall was never primed before the wallpaper was installed. Without that barrier coat, the paper bonds directly to the drywall, and removal pulls up the drywall’s paper face along with it, leaving a gouged, torn surface. This is extremely common, especially in older homes. Where this has happened, we do not just paint over the damage. We patch and repair the wall properly, then apply an oil-based primer to seal any residual glue and give you a smooth, restored surface. Skipping this step is the number one reason wallpaper removal jobs end up looking worse instead of better.
What Makes Our Wallpaper Removal Different
- Full protection and containment of the work area, with floors, furniture, and trim covered before we start.
- Experienced at identifying and repairing gouged or damaged drywall from improperly installed wallpaper.
- Use of oil-based primer to seal glue residue, not a shortcut latex primer.
- Walls left smooth, sealed, and truly paint-ready, not just wallpaper-free.
Our Work
Wallpaper Removal Across Southwest Florida
From a single accent wall to a full home renovation, we remove wallpaper for homeowners throughout Lee and Collier County. Our team serves Naples, Estero, Marco Island, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers Beach.
Why Choose Above & Beyond Painting?
Frequently Asked Questions
Our process includes protection and containment of the work area, careful wallpaper removal, a wall inspection, repair of any damaged drywall, glue residue removal and sealing, and final prep for paint.
It can, if the wallpaper was originally hung without a primer coat. Without that barrier, the paper bonds directly to the drywall, and removal can gouge or tear the surface. We inspect for this and repair any damage as part of our process.
Oil-based primer locks down any remaining glue residue and prevents it from bleeding through or interfering with the topcoat, which a standard latex primer cannot reliably do.
Yes. Where the wall has been gouged, torn, or damaged, we patch and repair the drywall to restore a smooth, paint-ready surface before priming.
Timeline depends on whether the walls were primed prior to the original wallpaper installation. If they were, the process is quick and smooth. All estimates are based on a normal removal basis, assuming the walls were primed prior.
Yes. Before we start, we fully cover floors, furniture, trim, and adjacent surfaces to keep the work area contained and protect your home.
Yes. Above & Beyond Painting and Home Services is fully licensed and insured to operate throughout Lee County and Collier County.
Ready to Transform Your Space?
Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate!