Walls and Ceilings - Wall Adhesive

I'm in the process of preparing mt existing kitchen for full renovation. It's a 133 sq.ft. kitchen in a bungalow built in the early 50s.

At some point in the history of this home, the residents covered the bottom 4 feet of the walls around the kitchen with a thin plastic tile stuck to the wall with some unknown adhesive.

I no longer want these tiles, I'm hoping to return the wall back to their untreated state so that they can be simply painted. What would be the best way of doing this. The adhesive does not sand off, but can be chipped off with aggressive scraping, which also removes a fine layer of plaster wall with in. The walls are not a standard width gypsum drywall, but rather a thick (3/4") heavy plaster or mortar (concrete?) wallboard.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3158601868_fe95bdf86e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/3158602258_90432d3bf1.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/3158602630_788c307807.jpg?v=0

Welcome to the forums!

The adhesive appears to be thinset, I doubt you could remove it without destroying the wall:eek:

I suppose you could apply joint compound over it to smooth it out although I've never done so. Another option would be to tear the wall out [and replace with drywall] which would allow you to update insulation and electrical.

Thanks for the reply Marksr...

Oh boy, I felt that may have been the suggestion given. I guess that is one of those non budgeted for surprises and regrettable not one of my stronger DIY skills.

Because this technique was used around the perimeter of the entire room, is it suggested that the entire wall, all walls replaced, or will I be successful in just replacing the bottom 4' with drywall? I'm afraid that the drywall thickness will not match the thickness of the existing wallboard for which it needs to be jointed with.

Would I still have to remove the thinset if I were to consider applying wainscott to the affected areas? What about ceramic tile which will be applied above the countertop as a backsplash?

I couldn't tell by the pic if you have plaster or drywall - it almost looks [bottom pic] like 2 layers of drywall..... but it isn't too hard to match drywall thickness or even level up with plaster. Ideally you would replace with identical but you can shim the drywall so it will be flush with the original part of the wall.

There shouldn't be any problem covering it up with wainscotting. I assume it would tile ok but I'm not a tileman;)