Comments on: 10 Tips on How to Paint Over Wallpaper

By: Momma D.

Momma D. — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:48:05 +0000

Hey ya’ll. I just painted over navy-blue printed wallpaper in my kitchen. When I put up the wallpaper 13 years ago, I intended it to stay and boy did it! I ended up priming over the wallpaper with oil-based primer. Let it dry for 36 hours and then I painted it almost white (very light blue) with latex paint. It looks beautiful! Foolishly, I decided to strip the wallpaper in the master bath before painting in there. I’ve been on one 4X10′ wall for the last eight hours using gel wallpaper remover after using a wallpaper tiger. I then rented a steamer which is only taking off the vinyl layer. I still have to put gel on the backing and scrape. When I finish this wall, I’m painting the rest of the mess. However, wainscoating at least four feet up is beginning to be a viable alternative. Lots of luck and make sure it’s stuck!

By: ks

ks — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 10:09:50 +0000

hi I am planning a diy on a 30 year old house which has wallpaper mostly painted before. There are wardrobes still with the original wallpaper. I have been advised to cut out loose wallpaper ( mostly on corners), apply joint compound and then ( I must) use OIL based primer on the both surfaces ( painted and unpainted) first before I finally repaint with water base coat to prevent the wallpaper coming off or bubble. I am relief to read your suggestion above that a water based primer can also be used. I am reluctant on using oil based because of the odour.

By: THAT Painter Lady

THAT Painter Lady — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:12:40 +0000

I’m pretty sure (from your description) that it’s the primer that caused the problem. You might need to get down to the
primer level and scuff it a bit to get the joint compound to stick.

By: Gail

Gail — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:59:47 +0000

I just removed wallpaper that I had previously put on about 15 years ago. I used a primer before putting on the wallpaper but some places the top layer of paper of the sheetrock came off off. I wanted to texture over and used a light joint compound to give my walls an old plastered look. However there are spots that have bubbled. Can I just use a heavier coat of joint compound over those spots to hide them? I am going for a random plastered look and most of the wall looks great but there are a few obvious spots that show bubbles.

By: THAT Painter Lady

THAT Painter Lady — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:52:32 +0000

Ann….

Yes… you will hear comments all over the place about painting over wallpaper and why it’s a bad idea.

I have my own opinions and they are usually different than other professional house painters.

The obvious reason is that wallpaper is much harder to remove after it’s been painted.

And… you must test the paper to make sure it will stay adhered to the wall after it’s been covered with
a liquid (primer and paint are liquids

All that aside…. I have stripped wallpaper and it’s a pain in the behind… and I had damage to the wall
from all my “scraping”… which means the wallpaper was really well adhered and I should have just painted over it.

I have never (I am not a real estate agent lol) heard of a home not selling because the wallpaper was painted. In my
experience you probably won’t even be able to tell the wallpaper is under the primer/paint.

Good Luck and let me know which you end up choosing.

Debra