Wallpaper and Wallcoverings - Paper falling

Ok, I have a room I am trying to paper. This room was occupied by a serious smoker! I have cleaned the walls with Murphy’s oil soap, two coats of heavy interior latex and the tar on the walls is still bleeding through. Pre Pasted paper. Could I use extra paste and get by this. After cleaning I am half way through the room and the paper just started falling down especially at the corners where no primer is. Anyway, hate to throw away a days work and start over, might just paint it instead. Ideas on how to salvage this? Detailed pictures available.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/mcm71359/cornerandpaper.jpg

That is a tough quesion. If you continued hanging your paper, it might be OK, especially if this paper is vinyl coated. If you want to be 500% sure, and the route I would take, is to buy a small can of stain killer primer. Kilz is probably the most famous, though many have had great success with Zinsser products as well. Almost every paint company makes a stain killer formula though. I would recommend that you spend a couple bucks on a product that will prevent a "many dollar" future problem. Give the stains a couple of coats according to the can's directions and rest easy.

Hi Bigmike, the process to move ahead with this is the same to paint or paper. You are wise to be wary of the smoke residue because it can come through some paper and sure will latex paint. It can also cause loose paper. What you need now is a coat of an oil primer like KILZ Original, Zinsser Bin or any good oil primer. I like the two I mention because they dry so fast, 30-60 minutes. Of the two I would grab the Zinsser if you can. Paint or paper when dry. Hope this helps some.....Mike

Mike...I hate to tell you this but.......Its upside down!!http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/images/smilies/rotflmao.gif

Striped wallpaper is hung vertically? No wonder people hate to use my bathroom. LOL

Well what do ya expect for a one armed one eyed Russian immigrant? Thanks for the ideas. So pull back the tops or wherever there is no paint and re-glue after Killz treatment? Or my idea is to just pull it all down, Killz it and paint. Did borders in almost all of the rest of the house an it went without a hitch. But this is what she wanted… I get vertigo just having half the room done so the paper coming down is a viable method!

Hey Wallpaper, I didn't jump in after you and work with Bigmike on this. We were working at the same time and you beat me to the click. Hey great minds think alike....LOL....Mike

Just an update, after Killz and paint (again) in the room I was too tired to try and paper again. So painted and going to do a border tomorrow. Two coats of paint, Killz and another coat of paint finally did the trick. Even took the chance on the popcorn ceiling and it too looks very nice considering the amount of cigarette smoke I was dealing with. Thinks for the help! Mike…