Can You Paint Over Wallpaper? The Answer May Surprise You

Today we want to share with you something special:

How to Paint Over Wallpaper

We are big fans of wallpaper. The right wallpaper can completely transform a room or make a bathroom look like a fancy hotel bathroom. But sometimes you get stuck with wallpapers that don't match the rest of the house or that are damaged and need to be removed.

When this happens, you have two options: you can remove the wallpaper or paint over it. Yes, you read it right, you can paint it right.

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It is important to note that not all wallpapers can or should be painted. For more information on wallpaper painting, you can keep reading this article to find out when and how to do it the right way.

To get started, you will need:

A high-quality paint
Primer
High-quality rollers and brushes
A sheetrock knife
Fine-grit sandpaper
Wallpaper glue

Read everything you need to know to paint your old wallpaper.

When Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?

The first thing to do is get started: not all wallpapered walls are ideal for painting. Consider the condition of the wallpaper before you begin.

Scenarios to avoid? If the wallpaper tears due to aging or other reasons, bubbles from high humidity, leaks or heavy condensation, peels off, the seams begin to lift or is extremely old.

So if the wallpaper is in perfect condition, can you paint it? Not so fast. The best wallpaper for painting is plain paper with the least possible pattern. This means that a textured or overly conspicuous wallpaper can still show up under paint and ruin painted walls.

In short, yes, you can paint your wallpaper, but make sure it is in good condition and as smooth as possible before you begin. If not, consider removing it first.

First, Buy the Right Paint

Once you decide to paint your wallpaper, the next step is to choose your wall paint. In addition to focusing solely on the perfect ink color, getting the right ink is also important. It is recommended to use a high-quality paint primer before painting, even if the paint is a 2-in-1 type.

Plus, splurge on high-quality interior paint. This is not the time to save money - thin paints will allow the wallpaper pattern to appear once you are done.

Quick tip
Although they can be confusing, opt for an oil-based primer over a water-based one. These primers are designed to block everything that goes under the primer and will be the best to ensure full coverage of those clean white walls.

Next, Prep the Walls

It is recommended to clean the wallpaper thoroughly with a damp cloth before starting. Then look for uneven spots or areas where the wallpaper is showing. This is where you should get your sandpaper, glue, and scraper so you can prep the walls to perfection before applying paint.

If there are seams, sand lightly, apply a little glue, and allow to dry completely. If necessary, scrape as necessary.

After sealing and removing rough patches or loose ends, it's time to get ready. The key is to let the primer dry completely before starting to paint. If it's holding moisture between the coats of paint and the primer, you're asking for bubbling.

Finally, Start Painting

Now the fun begins. After preparing, cleaning, repairing, and aligning your painting tools, you can finally start painting your wallpaper. While there are easy ways to avoid some common painting mistakes, the truth is that this project will be a bit more difficult than painting on a clean wall.

If you find a rip or tear in the wallpaper while painting, take a step back and fix it first. Painting over any vulnerable area will easily become a disaster. It is very difficult to apply any type of moisture, including primer and paint, to the wallpaper as it can cause the wallpaper to start to separate from the wall.

Please note that this may require a bit of trial and error. Put on some music, have some wine, and prepare for a few mistakes along the way. Taking the time to get it right will pay off in the long run.