Removing wallpaper glue is tedious and time-consuming. It’s also risky because you can damage the surface if you use a lot of elbow grease and sharp tools.
So, what options do you have when you want to paint over a wall or ceiling that still has some wallpaper adhesive residue?
Can you use a surface sealer such as Gardz over the wallpaper glue? That’s going to be the center of discussion for today’s article.
Zinsser Gardz problem surface sealer can be used on many surfaces. The good news is that wallpaper glue is one of the recommended surfaces it can be used on.
If you are worried about the side effects of painting over wallpaper glue, Gardz can seal the adhesive residue and ensure the finish doesn’t crack or peel.
Gardz penetrates the porous surface of wallpaper glue. It dries into a hard and moisture-proof film. While doing that, Gardz also seals in the adhesive residue and strengthens the soft texture.
Gardz allows you to easily paint over wallpaper glue without worrying about the common side effects that may occur.
It has a milky blue-white residue that makes it easier to track parts that have been sealed. It dries very fast. But it would be best if you gave it at least three hours before you can do anything on top of it.
Should You Bother Removing Wallpaper Glue If You are Still Going to Use Gardz?
You should attempt to remove as much wallpaper glue as you can before using Gardz. Gardz indeed does a marvelous job of sealing wallpaper adhesive.
But it pays off to eliminate most of the wallpaper glue from your wall or sealing for a much better finish.
The best way to get rid of wallpaper glue is to prepare a mixture of TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) and a bucket of hot water.
Wipe it down with a sponge in adequate amounts. While we are still on wallpaper glue removal, it’s worth mentioning that the need to use Gardz depends on how much wallpaper glue has been left behind.
If you can remove all the wallpaper glue using TSP and a scrub brush, you can skip Gardz and go straight to applying a quality primer.
But because wallpaper glue is hard to remove, most people don’t waste a lot of their time and energy in removing it. They just put on Gardz and then primer.
Does Gardz Make Painting Over Wallpaper Glue Easier?
Gardz was invented to reduce the time and effort of preparing a surface with wallpaper glue for painting. The wallpapers look amazing. But when it’s time to get rid of them, it can be pretty challenging, especially if the installation was done incorrectly.
Back in the day before Gardz was introduced to the market, contractors and DIYourselfers had to spend hours trying to remove wallpaper adhesive residue. But with Gardz, you only need to apply some of it to the wallpaper glue, which will seal it.
That makes painting over an area with wallpaper glue easier. And that’s not all. It also prevents peeling and flaking when you paint directly over wallpaper glue.
Won’t Gardz Reactivate the Wallpaper Glue?
It’s fascinating how Gardz seals in wallpaper glue, especially when you consider the fact that it contains water. When you apply a layer of Gardz, it slightly reactivates the wallpaper glue.
However, when it dries, it creates a hard, moisture-proof film. That’s why you can paint over Gardz, and the glue sealed inside won’t have any effect.
Have There Been Any Complaints about Gardz Being Ineffective?
You will be glad to know that Gardz is considered to be the go-to product for scenarios where you want to paint a wall or ceiling that has some wallpaper glue.
It has been around for many years, and during that period, Gardz has been praised by many because of its sealing abilities. The number of negative reviews is minimal.
Gardz is known to offer lasting results. And it works well in hiding imperfections that come from wallpaper adhesive.
Is Gardz a Primer or Sealer?
When applied over a surface with wallpaper glue, most people usually use Gardz as a sealer and primer.
Once you have applied it over wallpaper glue, add a primer to promote paint adhesion and to level the areas where wallpaper glue may be protruding. Gardz works as both a sealer and primer.
Gardz works as a sealer by creating a moisture-resistant barrier that prevents the paint from reactivating the wallpaper adhesive paste. Without Gardz, you would see the stain bleeding through as you paint over the glue.
How to Apply Gardz Over Wallpaper Glue?
Do you have a wall that has some wallpaper adhesive and you would like to paint over it? Here is a quick guide on how to apply Gardz over wallpaper glue.
1st step – Prepare the Surface
Even though Gardz can seal wallpaper adhesive, that doesn’t mean you should directly paint it over without any surface prep. It’s a good idea to remove a considerable amount of the wallpaper adhesive.
This increases the effectiveness of Gardz. You should also clean the surface thoroughly. The likes of mildew, grease, oil, and dirt can affect the adhesion of Gardz to the substrate beneath.
2nd Step – Application
Gardz should be mixed adequately before application. The manufacturers are strict about thinning it. Kindly refrain from doing so.
You can apply it using a sprayer, roller, or brush. A brush is ideal if you apply it on a small area because you get better precision.
Rollers are ideal for large surface areas such as walls and ceilings. A roller will ensure the Gardz is applied much more quickly.
Make sure you only scoop a considerable amount of Gardz with a roller because it drips and may create an uneven finish.
Finally, you can also use a sprayer, but you have to be keen and ensure that the Gardz penetrates the porous surface of the wallpaper adhesive. Make sure you hold the sprayer at least 15 inches from the wall.
3rd Step – Clean Up
As mentioned earlier, Gardz dries up very fast. Therefore, cleaning any spills immediately after application is a good idea.
Should it also dry on any of your tools, you can soak them overnight in a strong detergent. Gardz should be fully dry within three hours.
Will Gardz Work on Concentrated Wallpaper Glue?
If you have been keen when reading this review on using Gardz over wallpaper glue, I have emphasized severally that you should attempt to remove as much of the adhesive as possible.
There are scenarios when Gardz may not work, and that’s when there is a heavy concentration of wallpaper glue.
If you find yourself in such a scenario, the best solution is to attempt to remove the adhesive residue using TSP or any method you consider adequate.
And you can apply at least two coats of Gardz. If you go right ahead and apply Gardz over concentrated wallpaper glue, it will curdle the finish coat.
Should You Sand the Wallpaper Glue Before Applying Gardz?
Sanding can help eliminate some of the wallpaper adhesive residues, but it’s usually unnecessary, especially if the glue is not concentrated.
You must evaluate whether sanding is beneficial or a waste of time when using Gardz over wallpaper glue. Do not sand over Gardz once you are done applying it. Remember, the goal is to create a smooth finish and not a rough one.