Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?

Having old wallpaper in your home can be a bit of an annoyance. You might not want to take the time to remove the wallpaper. Is it possible to simply paint over it? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about painting over wallpaper. 

It’s Best to Remove the Wallpaper First

It’s truly best to remove the wallpaper before you apply a new coat of paint to the wall. You’ll get substantially better results if you remove the wallpaper first. This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to paint over wallpaper, though. Bear in mind that painting over wallpaper isn’t the ideal choice. 

Sadly, there are also times when removing the wallpaper will damage the wall. In such situations, it makes sense to try to paint over the wallpaper. Just don’t paint over the wallpaper if it’s peeling in many spots. Also, you should never try to paint over wallpaper that has fabric-backed vinyl since it won’t go well at all. 

Clean the Wall Before Beginning

If you’re sure you want to paint over the wallpaper, you must start by cleaning the wall. Take the time to wipe away dust, dirt, and grime using a diluted cleaning solution. A simple cleaning sponge or rag will do the trick for this job. Be thorough and move on when you’re sure that the walls are clean. 

Repair Damaged Spots

There might be spots of the wallpaper that are damaged. These should be repaired before you attempt to paint anything. Peeling seams and edges will be problematic if you don’t make repairs. You can use wallpaper seam adhesive or spackle to fix certain spots on the wall that are problematic. 

Use Painter’s Tape on Trim and Molding

Painter’s tape will be important. You need to tape off sections of the wall that contain trim and molding. You don’t want to paint over these sections. Use paint to protect baseboards, electrical outlets, and various other things that you don’t wish to paint over. 

Use Primer

Primer should be applied to the walls before painting. Oil-based primer will work when trying to paint over wallpaper. Water-based primer is bad since it could loosen the adhesive and cause problems. Allow the primer to dry and vent things as necessary before painting the wall. 

Paint the Wall

Painting the wall will be easy enough if you did the prep work. Paint the wall just as you would if the wallpaper wasn’t there. Try to apply the paint evenly and understand that it will likely take two coats to get the job done. You might need three coats if there’s a particularly thick layer of wallpaper or if you’re painting over wallpaper that is very dark in color. 

You must allow the paint to dry between the different coats. So be patient and take your time so that the job can be done well. So long as you follow all of the advice you’ve been given so far, it should be possible to enjoy good results. The paint job will look good when all is said and done.