Wallpaper Steamer

PREPARATION NECESSARY TO OPERATE STEAMER

• Use a funnel to fill the steamer with clean water (hot water will heat up faster than cold). Remove weight cap (be sure this cap has a rubber washer on it and fits loosely in the filler tube) fill tank until the water in the water gauge glass is even with the word "FULL" on the water level decal. This is about 1/2" from the top of the glass. Do not overfill.
• While the water is heating, place the steam pan in a metal bucket, with the end down that does not have the hose attached to it, to catch any condensation (water) during heat up.
• It will take about 25 minutes for steamer to produce steam. Allow the steam to come out of the steam pan for a few minutes before starting and then drain the hot water out of the bucket. Machine runs about 1-1/2 hours on a full tank. When water builds up in steam pan during use, drain in to pail to limit steam pan dripping.
• Do not use any chemicals in water. Always use clean, unsoftened water when available, and a clean pail for filling the water tank. Natural water rarely has enough mineral content to cause trouble, but in some softening processed the water is treated with additional chemicals which will cause foaming after a period of time.
• Dirty water or water with a high mineral content foams up like milk when it is heated, in a wallpaper steamer, this bubbling water will carry over into the hose and come out through the steam pan.

WALLPAPER REMOVAL

• Hold steam pan tight against the wall until coverage is softened, slide the pan one half width and scrape off the loosened paper using a semi-stiff scraper at least 3" wide. If paper does not come off easily, allow more time for the steam to penetrate.
• If paper has a vinyl coating or painted the seal must be broken to allow the steam to penetrate. Use a perforating tool to break the seal by moving it up and down on the wall. NOTE: If walls are going to be painted instead of rewallpapered care needs to be taken when perforating so large holes are not put into the wallboard.
• Remove past build up off scraper for easier scraping by wiping blade on remaining wallpaper or use a rag. Continue the above until all paper is removed.
• It is important to keep the steam pan against the wall at all times when taking off paper. Removing steam pan away from wall wastes steam and job will take longer.
• Removal of paper can be done by starting:
  1. At top and sliding the pan downwards
  2. At baseboard and work up from the baseboard
  3. Back and forth across the wall starting at either top or bottom
• There is no one way that is quicker than another, as long as you keep sliding the steam pan along, not missing any areas.
• Side walls should be done first and ceiling last, because the escaping steam helps loosen the ceiling paper. When removing ceiling paper, work with the pan in front of you to prevent hot water from dripping down. Empty the water out of the steam pan into a bucket frequently so it will not build up in pan and drip on you.
• In narrow or hard to reach places use the narrow steam pan supplied with the steamer. Allow large pan to cool down minimum of 10 minutes or more before changing pans.
• If ceiling is to be painted, wipe off any water drops before they dry, because they may result in spots that will be difficult to paint over.
• After paper is removed wipe the wall down with a sponge and clean water to remove any leftover paste.

PAINTED PAPER

• Glue base paints permit steam to pass through and do not interfere with steaming off the wallpaper. However, most oil base paints and latex paints prevent the passage of steam. To steam off wallpaper that has been painted, the paper needs to be perforated to allow steam to penetrate.

WALLBOARD

• If the wallboard has been painted with oil base paint or a varnish type sizing (not glue sizing) wallpaper applied over it may be steamed off, just like a plaster wall.
• If wallboard has not been painted, sealed or sized, removing wallpaper is more difficult. The steam will not damage the unpainted wallboard if you are careful. You will need to experiment with how long to keep the pan in one spot. Use a scraper with well rounded corner to guard against damaging the wallboard.
• If there is more than one layer of wallpaper on wall, it may be necessary to take off one layer of wallpaper at a time.

EFFECTS OF STEAM

• White spots may develop on sealed wood and must be removed by wiping them off with a rag saturated with alcohol. Use a liberal amount of alcohol and do not rub excessively or the finish will be removed. The white spots are caused by steam breaking down the finish, the alcohol softens the finish and allows it to flow back together when it hardens.

STORAGE OF STEAMER

• Before steamer is stored allow the steamer to cool down minimum of 10 minutes or more. Remove weight cap and pour out any remaining water left in water tank. Replace weight cap n fill hole. Disconnect hose from steamer and steam pan and drain out any waste in hose and pan. Coil up power supply cord and hang on hook on top of steamer jacket. Wipe off steamer pans if they are wet.

---

Safety Information

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• When working around switches, outlets or any other electrical devices, be sure the circuit is off by removing the fuse, and turning off the circuit breaker.
• The electrical outlet the steamer is plugged into must be fused and rated for 15 amps or More to prevent blown fuses. It's a good idea to unplug other electrical appliances to prevent overloading.
• If the steamer cord is not equipped with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), steamer must be plugged into a properly grounded electrical circuit with FFCI protection. (110-120 volts USA/Canada, 200-240 volts Europe). If it is necessary to use an extension cord to get to a GFCI outlet, it must be a 3-wire cord with a 3-prong grounding plug. The wire must be no smaller than AWG #14 for up to 50 feet and no smaller than AWG #12 for 50 to 100 feet.
• Connect hose to steamer and steam pan before plugging into electrical outlet.
• Never lay the steam pan across the top of steamer, hot water (condensed steam) could drip into the electrical junction box, which could result in an electrical shock.



WARNINGS

• Failure to follow safety instructions could cause bodily injury.
• Wear safety glasses, gloves, long pants and long sleeves when using the machine.
• Keep children and pets away from steamer during operation.
• Do not direct steam from steam pan or hose toward anyone.
• This machine produces live steam and /or scalding hot water could cause severe bodily injury.
• Fill with clean water only (Do not overfill).
• Drain off hot water (condensed steam) from steam pan in metal pail before starting to work.
• Do not pull steamer by hose or cord. To move steamer, unplug and allow to cool down minimum of 10 minutes or more. Only carry steamer by the handle.
• Do not connect or disconnect the hose, steam pan or remove weight cap when steamer is operating. The hose, steam pan and machine fittings are hot and could burn your hands. Unplug the cord and allow steamer to cool down minimum of 10 minutes or more.
• The steamer should always be placed on the floor - never place on any surface that is unstable (such as stairs), or any area that could allow the steamer to tip over.
• Do not let the water tank run dry. When refilling (use a funnel and do not overfill) - unplug the electrical cord and allow the steamer to cool down minimum of 10 minutes or more before refilling. Pouring water onto a hot element could cause severe eruptions of steam and/or scalding hot water, which could result in severe burns or other bodily damage.
• Do not set wallpaper steamer directly on floor or carpet. Always put a drop cloth of canvas or heavy paper, underneath the steamer to protect the floor. If there is furniture in the area, cover it also.