How to Paint Over Wallpaper
And Get the Best Results Possible
Previously, we’ve discussed the problems with painting over wallpaper but there are times when you may actually want to paint over your wallpaper. If you find that wallpaper was applied to your walls without proper sizing and wall preparation you may not be able to remove the old paper without damaging the wall. If the previous owners layered several different types of paper on top of each other the process of removing paper may be a more labor-intensive task than you wish to tackle. In these cases you can paint over wallpaper but the process requires more diligence than just slapping some paint on the wall.
First, you need to get your wall into shape. This means you need to remove all loose wallpaper and use wallpaper paste to paste down any loose edges.
The next step requires proper ventilation as you’ll be using oil based primer. Water based paints and primers will actually seep through the wallpaper and loosen paper from the walls. Once the paper is loosened it will begin peeling again, whether there is paint on top of it or not so an oil based product is essential. Apply this primer over the wall with a short nap roller to create the smoothest surface possible. Some experts skip this step entirely so the choice is yours.
Now you’re moving into a very time consuming aspect of painting over wallpaper, but its key that you level out the wall. So wherever you’ve peeled off a chunk of wallpaper you’ll need to apply drywall mud until the “hole” is level with the rest of the wall. Also if you’ve got seam flaws or other dents, this is the perfect time to level them out as well. Once the mud has dried you need to sand these areas smooth and apply another coat of your oil based primer.
Some painters recommend you use a very thin line of white or clear caulk along the ceiling line, baseboards, and trim. (Not in the corners) This will keep the ends firmly in place and may stave off any more peeling.
Finally you’re ready for the paint. Since you used a good oil based primer you don’t need an oil based topcoat, but again, for the best results an oil based paint is recommended. And a couple coats will probably yield the best results.
Another bit of warning, wallpapers have textural patterns and these patterns can often still be discerned after painting. If you’re doing patch jobs you’ll have obvious areas where there is patch and areas where the wallpaper still remains. Painting over wallpaper simply doesn’t provide a pristine finish.
If you’d like to minimize the wallpaper’s presence you can add a texture to your wall. Sand is very easy to incorporate into your paint and provides a nice bumpy texture. Skip troweling isn’t as easy but can be mastered with some practice and effort and it makes the wallpaper effects almost negligible.
If you follow these steps you’ll get the best results you possibly can when painting over wallpaper. If you've decided to remove the wallpaper instead read the How to Remove Wallpaper for tips and tricks.
Wallpaper from a Paperback
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