My husband and I have just moved. Not happy with the wallpaper in the kitchen and bath I took it dowwn. To my surprise the wallboards do not look like regular sheetrock but vinyl-like. They are light blue with navy blue designs similar to snow flakes. What kinds of wallboards are these and how can I paint them? I am afraid that the paint is not going to stick to the surface.

Any help will be appreciated.


Comments

  1. I’ve been thinking about you. One thing you need to know is that if it is indeed blueboard, what you have in your kitchen is highly flammable material. Are you a renter or an owner? Either way, this is a big problem, but you obviously can’t rip the wall if you rent.

  2. Thanks, Mopar, nyc sport and Maly for your input.

    Today I inspected the wallboards under better lighting. It seems that the water that I used to remove the wallpaper softened not only the backing (where the glue is)but it also lifted another paper covering underneath, leaving a smooth, vinyl-like white surface with small square-like and evenly spaced designs that are definitely some sort of logo from the wallboard’s manufacturer.

    Ideally, only the wallpaper’s backing sheet with the glue on it shoud have been lifted. It didn’t happen that way, though. However, the surface that I must work on is sound, not crumbling, as it would have been the case when the paper covering is removed –silly comparison– from regular sheetrock.

    Another detail that blows my mind is that the whole wallboard seems to be seamless. There is no indication as to where two panels are joined. Having just one large piece covering the whole wall does not seem possible …

    Thanks again to all that responded.

  3. It sounds like blueboard, which is used in moist environment (like basements/bathrooms/kitchens, or for outdoor walls) as insulation material. I don’t think it’s OK as a top layer, it should be covered with sheetrock or tiles in living quarters.
    Do you see any writings or description on the surface?

  4. I have no explanationfor the design other than that someone may have stenciled it, but it sounds like “blueboard.” Google it. If it is, you can prime and paint.

  5. Sounds like maybe linoleum. Are the walls entirely covered in it, or just around the counter area/backsplash? Don’t paint anything unless you are the owner or have permission from the landlord. Also, sounds like solid colored wallpaper would be a much better choice than paint.