Comments on: 10 Tips on How to Paint Over Wallpaper

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

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:18:22 +0000

We recently purchased a home with a light cream print wallpaper in the two story entry hall and dining room. The paper was probably installed 22 years ago soon after the home was built in 1986. The paper was professionally installed, is in excellent condition and has tight seams etc.

I removed similiar paper in the bedroom. I used a steamer and it came off completely but it took a lot of time. There was a good primer coat underneath the paper.

I contacted a professional painter for an estimate on wallpaper removal and painting. Because the paper was in such good condition he offered the alternative of prepping and painting over the wallpaper. This would save some money and we will only be in the house for 4 more years.

I have always heard horror stories of homeowners painting over paper and that it should only be done as a last resort.

Do you have any recommendations? Could there be any problems when we sell?

Thanks, Ann

By: THAT Painter Lady

THAT Painter Lady — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:44:47 +0000

Hello Elizabeth, You can paint over vinyl wallpaper, but you will have to make sure the seams are properly prepped. You will need to glue them down so that the moisture from the paint does not get underneath and causing pealing. You may also want to use a little putty over the seams, sand, and then prime. The entire surface will need to be primed with a heavy duty primer sealer. You can ask at your local paint supply store to see what they carry and what they would suggest.

As far as the cabinets, you will need to clean them thoroughly first, then scuff the surface with sand paper. You would then prime and paint. The hard part will be the prepping.

DEBRA

By: Elizabeth S.

Elizabeth S. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:06:49 +0000

I live in a modular home (double wide), I would like to paint over the walls which are plaster with vinyl like wall paper that has a slight texture. What type of paint / primer would stick to this? I wonder about painting the kitchen cabinets, naturaly they are pressed wood with a slick finish, how would these need to be prepped for painting? Thanks for any info. you can offer.

By: THAT Painter Lady

THAT Painter Lady — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:52:47 +0000

I posted the answer to your question on the Forum. Hope it helps!