I pulled down some thick old wallpaper off the walls in the livingroom.
What I was left with was a papery surface with some spots where it
tore off with the wallpaper, some kind of wall/joint compound
underneath, and then the actual drywall under that which is intact. Is
this papery substance adhesive residue or is it something that peeled
off the back of the thick wallpaper and stayed as a souvenier???

I'm not quite sure how to handle this paper substance that's left.
I've gone over it with sandpaper and putty knives so all the parts that
were loose have flaked off. Does it all need to be removed or can I
seal it all with something like a oil based primer or Gardz and then
skim coat over that? Or should I just skim over it as is and then seal
ontop of the skim coat?

I'm thinking about the following...

Patch holes and let dry
oil based primer or Gardz
skim coat
Gardz
primer
paint

How does that sound?

Use a liquid wallpaper remover it loosens glue, wash all glue off, soak
paper , remove and clean everything. Next you need to smooth the walls,
but can`t say as can`t see or know their condition to really direct you.
If previously sealed good, just patch, spot prime and paint. All glue
and old paper must go.

The last paper stuff I messed with was a border at the ceiling. We
removed the top which left the paper as you describe. We sprayed a
solution of vinegar and water on to the paper, it disolved the paste
and the paper backing would come of a wall at time. A simple wiping
with a damp rag removed the residual paste and cleaned the wall.

The one significant difference though was that our walls were painted
which I can't help but think really helped with the removal.

Good luck...

Darwin

wrote:
I pulled down some thick old wallpaper off the walls in the livingroom.
What I was left with was a papery surface with some spots where it
tore off with the wallpaper, some kind of wall/joint compound
underneath, and then the actual drywall under that which is intact. Is
this papery substance adhesive residue or is it something that peeled
off the back of the thick wallpaper and stayed as a souvenier???

I'm not quite sure how to handle this paper substance that's left.
I've gone over it with sandpaper and putty knives so all the parts that
were loose have flaked off. Does it all need to be removed or can I
seal it all with something like a oil based primer or Gardz and then
skim coat over that? Or should I just skim over it as is and then seal
ontop of the skim coat?

I'm thinking about the following...

Patch holes and let dry
oil based primer or Gardz
skim coat
Gardz
primer
paint

How does that sound?

You need to get everything off the drywall except the lprimer or paint
that was there before the wallpaper. The bad news is - there is no
easy way to do it. It involves spraying with paste remover of some
type screaping off any paper remains and lots of scrubbing. Use
something with a coarse texture to scrub with - not soft cloths or
sponges.

Also divorce your wife if she insists that paper -ever- be put back up.

Harry K

clipped
I'm thinking about the following...

Patch holes and let dry
oil based primer or Gardz
skim coat
Gardz
primer
paint

How does that sound?

Sounds like a heck of a lot of work. Just finish taking off the paper
and paste and see what you have. Spray the paper a couple of times,
giving it a few to soak in. Water works fine - it just needs to be in
contact with the paste to soften it. When the paper soaks up enough,
the paste will soften. Use a scraper lightly to get the softened
paste/paper off. Repeat if needed. Wash to get remaining paste - it
will stop feeling slimey when the paste is gone. If left on, the
texture might transfer through paint. I would not paint over the paper
you have now. Careful with the washing, as the moisture might get into
the paper covering of the wallboard. Assess the wall when you have the
paper off - may need joint repairs, a little spackling, priming. If
thee is a good coat of paint beneath the paper you should not need
primer, but it never hurts.