Old plaster under wallpaper- how to prepare for painting?

steam and lots of paper all add up to pva and skim im afraid, its the only way to create a pro finish.

As the old saying goes, if going to do it, do it properly. Re-skimming is not as expensive you’d think.

Dont use a steamer it will blow the plaster , needs to be stripped the old fashioned way hot soapy water and sock the paper , if you can take the top layer of first then sock the walls , that’s all you can do to try and save the walls , if it don’t work skim um

If the walls have significant indentations then the walls will need re skimming which will be a cost. However if you are prepared to fill with fine filler the indentations / cracks and rub down you can save money. Be sure to use feathering tape on the big cracks so it holds the filler tight across the crack once dry. You have other options such as re paper again with a heavy embossed paper this will hide imperfections or use a heavy grade lining paper, then emulsion the paper. There are also wall emulsion paints now that are pre coats that are thick and contain filler type substances that when dry help hide wall imperfections. The aforementioned are suggestions if the walls once uncovered are not too bad, if they are beyond filling you have to go down the re skimming route. I hope this helps.

Without seeing it, i would suggest a couple of coats of easi-fill then a light rub down