Wallpaper Removal & Installation
Wallpaper Removal & Installation in Lexington, Kentucky
Clean Removal. Proper Wall Prep. A Flawless New Finish.
V3 Painting helps homeowners across Lexington and the surrounding communities strip away old, dated wallpaper and start fresh — whether that means a smooth repaint or beautiful new paper on the wall. Removing wallpaper is messy, labor-intensive work, and the walls underneath almost always need attention before anything new goes up. We handle the full process: careful removal, adhesive cleanup, wall repair, and prep that leaves surfaces truly paint- or paper-ready. We respond to new inquiries within 24 hours and provide free estimates within the week. If you're ready to lose the old wallpaper, get in touch.
Learn More
You Need a Crew That Knows What's Hiding Behind the Paper
Wallpaper removal looks straightforward until you start pulling. Old paper, multiple layers stacked over the years, and stubborn adhesive can turn a quick project into a real one. Rushed removal tears the drywall face, leaves gouges, and bakes adhesive residue into the wall — and every bit of that shows through whatever you put on next. At V3 Painting, we treat removal and the prep that follows as the part of the job that actually determines how the finish looks.
We steam and score the paper so it lifts cleanly instead of shredding, then dissolve and wash away the glue residue that hides behind it. Where the wall got damaged — torn paper face, gouges, old seams — we repair the drywall, skim-coat the surface smooth, and prime so it's genuinely paint- or paper-ready. Different walls, different adhesives, and different paper types all call for a different approach, and we adjust accordingly.
From there, we take it wherever you want to go: a clean, smooth repaint, or professional installation of new wallpaper with careful pattern matching and plumb, level alignment. Either way, it's the prep underneath that makes the finished wall look right.
Our Wallpaper Removal & Installation Process
Consultation & Walkthrough
Every project starts with a conversation in your home. We look at the existing wallpaper, check how many layers are on the wall, and test how it's adhered so we know what removal will actually involve. We talk through your goal — repainting the room or installing new paper — and point out any underlying issues, like damaged drywall or previous patch jobs, that will need attention. This is also where we discuss timing and how to keep disruption to a minimum.
01Estimating & Scheduling
After the walkthrough, you receive a clear, written estimate that reflects the real scope of the work. We break down what's included: removal, adhesive cleanup, wall repair and skim-coating, priming, and either painting or new wallpaper installation. Because removal is the unpredictable part, we're upfront about it rather than burying it in vague allowances. If there are decisions to finalize — paint colors or a new wallpaper selection — we work through those before any work begins.
02Removal, Cleanup & Wall Prep
This is where the project is won or lost. We protect floors, furniture, and fixtures, then steam and score the wallpaper so it lifts without tearing the drywall. Once the paper is off, we dissolve and wash away the leftover adhesive — skipping this step is what causes new finishes to bubble and peel. Then we repair any torn or gouged drywall, skim-coat the walls smooth, and prime. We don't rush this phase, because everything that comes next depends on it.
03New Finish & Final Walkthrough
With the walls clean, repaired, and primed, we apply the finish you chose — a smooth, even repaint, or fresh wallpaper hung with careful pattern matching and plumb, level seams. We use quality products suited to the surface and the look you're after. When the work is done, we clean up thoroughly and walk the room with you, checking for touch-ups and confirming everything looks the way it should before we consider the project complete.
04
Every Part of Your Wallpaper Project Handled
Wallpaper Removal
Whether it's a single dated print or several layers built up over decades, we remove it cleanly. We steam and score the paper so it releases from the wall instead of shredding, working carefully to protect the drywall face underneath. The result is a wall stripped down properly, without the torn paper and deep gouges that come from prying old wallpaper off in a hurry.
Adhesive & Residue Cleanup
The glue left behind after removal is what ruins most repaints and new installs. We dissolve and wash away every bit of adhesive residue so nothing telegraphs through the finish coat or keeps new paper from bonding. Walls get cleaned down to a sound, consistent surface — the unglamorous step that makes the difference between a finish that lasts and one that bubbles.
Wall Repair & Skim Coating
Removal almost always exposes damage — torn drywall face, gouges, old seams, and previous patches. We repair those problem areas, then skim-coat the walls to bring the whole surface back to flat and smooth. Skim-coating evens out texture differences so the wall reads as one continuous, level surface rather than a patchwork of repairs.
Paint-Ready Priming
Before any paint goes on, we prime the repaired walls so the finish coat lays down evenly and holds up over time. Priming seals the skim-coated surface, blocks any remaining stains or residue, and gives the paint a consistent base to grab. It's the step that lets a freshly stripped wall look like it was never papered at all.
New Wallpaper Installation
When you'd rather replace old paper with new, we install it right. We handle both traditional papers and modern peel-and-stick products, prepping the wall so it's smooth and primed for proper adhesion. Patterns are matched seam to seam and every drop is hung plumb and level, so the finished wall looks intentional and clean from corner to corner.
Accent Wall Feature
A single papered accent wall can transform a room without committing the whole space to a pattern. We help you choose the right wall and the right paper for the effect you want, then prep and install it with the same care for alignment and pattern matching. It's a focused, high-impact update that pairs naturally with fresh paint on the surrounding walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost depends heavily on how the wallpaper was installed and what's behind it. A single room with one cooperative layer is on the lower end, while multiple stubborn layers, heavy adhesive, or damaged drywall underneath all add labor. Because removal is unpredictable until you start pulling, we walk the space first and give you a detailed estimate that covers removal, adhesive cleanup, wall repair, and the new finish — paint or paper — so there are no surprises.
Timeline depends on the room and the condition of the wallpaper. A single room with straightforward paper might take a couple of days through removal, prep, and finish, while rooms with multiple layers, heavy adhesive, or significant wall repair take longer. We give you a realistic timeline during the estimate and keep you updated as the work moves along.
Wallpaper is designed to stick, so getting it off the right way takes time. We steam and score the paper to release it without tearing the drywall, then dissolve and wash off the adhesive underneath. That glue cleanup is the slow, messy part most people underestimate — but skipping it leads to bubbling and peeling later. We protect your floors and furniture and contain the mess so the work stays controlled.
In most cases we don't recommend it. Painting over wallpaper can trap loose seams and adhesive issues that eventually telegraph through or peel, and the texture of the paper usually shows. Proper removal, cleanup, and skim-coating gives you a smooth, durable result that holds up. If there's a specific situation where painting over makes sense, we'll tell you honestly during the walkthrough.
That's expected, and we plan for it. Removal often exposes torn drywall face, gouges, and old seams. We repair those areas, skim-coat the walls smooth to even out the texture, and prime so the surface is genuinely paint- or paper-ready. By the time we're done with prep, you'd never know the walls had been papered.
Yes. Many of our projects go straight from removal into new wallpaper installation. We prep and prime the walls for proper adhesion, then hang your new paper — traditional or peel-and-stick — with careful seams and alignment. Doing both in one project means the wall is prepped correctly for the new paper rather than installed over old problems.
Pattern matching is what separates clean installation from an obvious one. We plan the layout before hanging, account for the pattern repeat, and match the design seam to seam so the print flows uninterrupted across the wall. Every drop is hung plumb and level so the pattern stays aligned from corner to corner and around obstacles.
We do. Modern peel-and-stick papers are popular for accent walls and easier updates, and they install best on a smooth, properly primed surface. We handle the wall prep that makes peel-and-stick adhere well and lay flat, then install it with the same attention to alignment and pattern matching we give traditional paper.
Have a Question?
Reach out today. A member of our team will be in contact with you within 24-hours of your submission.
