How to Paint Over Wallpaper

Does your room need a makeover? Are you planning to get rid of the existing wallpaper? If the existing wallpaper was chosen years ago and the style and pattern has become outdated, you might want to remove that wallpaper. Removing wallpaper can be messy at times, especially when it was not properly installed in the first place. Many a time, people don't really follow the instructions on wallpaper installation, as a result, stripping wallpaper off the wall becomes a bothersome task. If the wallpaper was applied over a wallboard that wasn't primed, removing wallpaper might surely become a frustrating task. If the wallpaper is badly stuck to the walls you might end up damaging the wall during wallpaper removal. If you are facing this problem, let me tell you a perfect solution. All you need to do is get hold of paint and brush and apply paint over the wallpaper.

Is Painting over Wallpaper Feasible?

Before we move on to instructions regarding the application of paint over a wallpaper, there are a few things that you need to know. You first need to look at the wallpaper closely. Before you start applying paint over the wallpaper, make sure that the wallpaper is properly stuck to the wallboard. It should be smooth, if wallpaper has come loose at some spots, and air pockets have developed at these places, it would not be a good idea to apply paint it. If you apply paint over such a wallpaper, the presence of air pockets would become even more pronounced. Application of paint over textured wallpaper might also be a little difficult. The texture of the wallpaper might be noticeable even after painting over wallpaper. You might have to add texture to the wall to conceal the textured wallpaper. If the wallpaper is not torn at many places and there are no air pockets, you can go ahead with the task of painting over wallpaper.

Painting Over Wallpaper

If you feel that stripping wallpaper from the drywall is likely to cause damage to the wall, it would be a good idea to apply paint over wallpaper. If you are taking up this home improvement project, here's all you need to know.

• Cover the floor with newspaper or old towels. Start by cleaning the wallpaper with a sponge. If the wall covering is made from vinyl, you will need to sand it lightly. If there are any air pockets, try to flatten them. Remove all the nails. Cover the seams or holes with caulking or an all-purpose drywall mud. If there are any loose or curled up seams, you will need to paste them with the help of seam paste.
• The next step is to apply a primer over the wallpaper. If you apply paint directly over the wallpaper, it might end up looking sloppy and the paint will not really adhere to the wallpaper. Another thing that you must do is to get hold of an oil based primer. Using a latex or water-based primer will not work well. It will cause the adhesive between the wall and wall covering to soften. So, make sure that you use an oil based primer on the wallpaper.
• The primer must always be lighter than the color of the paint. Add a little paint thinner to it and mix well to get the right consistency. Apply 2-3 coats of primer over the wallpaper using a low-nap roller. Now let the primer dry completely.
• The last step is to apply paint over the wallpaper. The color of the paint should be such that the wallpaper pattern or texture is disguised well. Make sure that you apply the paint over the wallpaper border evenly. Use a smooth roller for painting over the wallpaper backing. After you have applied one coat of paint over wallpaper seams and backing, let it dry. Apply as many coats till your get the desired look.

If the existing wallpaper is badly stuck to the wall and you are not able to remove it, you can disguise the jaded or old-fashioned wallpaper by using the aforementioned instructions. If however, the existing wallpaper can be easily removed, it would be better to replace it with a new one. Using a removable wallpaper will save you all the trouble. If you love using decorative wallpaper in your home, always buy one that can be easily removed.