When and How to Paint Over Wallpaper
Want to change the look of a room but your walls are papered?
You don’t need to necessarily strip it, but whether it’s a good idea or not to paint over top depends on a few factors, such as the condition of your walls, type of wallpaper and paint you plan to use.
If the walls are currently in poor condition, it’s better to fix the problem. Paint can’t hide wallpaper that’s ripped or peeling. In fact, defects often show up more once you’ve painted over them.
It’s also wise to remove the wallpaper if there’s mould and mildew on it, as it’s likely to be growing behind the wallpaper and will need treating.
Not all wallpaper is suitable for painting, too. If you’ve got old-fashioned textured wallpaper or woodchip, it can be tricky to cover with paint and won’t give you smooth walls, although using matte paint will help to flatten them.
If going for a light paint colour, it might be best to strip the wallpaper first to stop the colour underneath from showing through. At the very least, you’ll need to prime it and apply two top coats of paint.
Pro Tips for Painting
Painting over wallpaper that’s in good condition, rather than stripping it, can save time, effort and money. And there isn’t as much mess or disruption, as it can be tricky to remove wallpaper without damaging the walls.
To begin, use TSP cleaner or a mild detergent to ensure the surface is clean and then allow it to dry.
If painting over dark wallpaper with light paint, going for a drastic colour change or painting over vinyl wallpaper, prime your walls with a suitable paint like Zinsser’s Wallpaper Cover-Up, which is an all-in-one primer, sealer and stain blocker.
When applying the top coat, use a small paintbrush to cut in around the edges of your walls. An angled brush with soft, fine bristles is usually best. Then, use a roller to tackle the rest of the walls. If your wallpaper is textured, you may need to use a medium pile roller or a brush to achieve even coverage. Two top coats should suffice to achieve the intended look.
Joshua Evans is a painting and decorating expert at PriceYourJob.
Clare Tattersall and www.realtorontowest.com disclaim any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this article and disclaims all liability in respect to the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this article. The opinions of the writer are their own and are in no way influenced by or representative of the opinions of Clare Tattersall or www.realtorontowest.com.
