Many do-it-yourselfers grow intimidated when it comes to stripping wallpaper. To all of you I say -- fear not. The Handyman is here.

There are basically three different types of wallpaper: fabric-backed vinyl and strippable vinyl, modern paper and old-fashioned battleship wallpaper that laughs at you when you try to strip it. We'll handle the first two today. We will discuss battleship-grade wallpaper next week.

Here's what to do

Tools: Thin broom handle or a dowel, ladder, Zinsser Papertiger (wall scoring tool), paper scraper, roller, thick-nap roller cover, deep-roller tray and tray liner, sponge and pail

Materials: Zinsser Dif Gel, water, paper drop cloths and large garbage bag

1. Lay drop cloths on floor. Paper is best. Protect furniture, etc., with plastic drop cloths.

2. Climb ladder and see if you can pull away an upper corner of the wallpaper. If the wallpaper is vinyl or fabric-covered vinyl, it should pull away quite readily, and you can do most of the work dry. Work the entire top of one strip of wallpaper loose.

3. Take a piece of dowel or thin broom-handle and roll the wallpaper around the dowel like a window blind. Tug, tug, roll, roll.

4. Work your way down. Pulling the paper from the wall. By keeping both hands on the dowel, you will keep the pressure equal. You should be able to roll the paper down to the floor. Just slide it off the dowel into a trash bag and start the next strip. When you're done, skip to step 6.

5. If the paper didn't pull right off, no problem. Take the Papertiger and start scoring the wallpaper in circular motions from ceiling to floor. The Papertiger will make thousands of little holes in the wallpaper, but not hurt the wall. Start rolling figure 8's. This is going to be the most fun you will have with this project.

6. Pour Dif Gel into the roller tray and roll an ultra-thick layer of the gel onto the wallpaper.

7. Let the gel work for at least a half hour. If it starts looking dry, re-activate with a light spray of water or more gel.

8. When the Dif Gel has dissolved the glue underneath the wallpaper, scrape the paper off with the Zinsser paper scraper. This specially designed tool permits you to scrape off the paper without gouging the walls.

9. When the paper is off, start rinsing the walls with water. Keep rinsing until all the adhesive has been removed.

10. When you think you are done, let the wall dry. Then rub your hand over the wall. If it feels rice-y, repeat steps 8 and 9 until all the adhesive is gone.

11. If the wallpaper just laughed at you, come back next week. You will win. I guarantee it.