Lena Rivera
Whether you're looking to refresh a room that already has wallpaper or want to change the look of your room, you may be wondering if you can put wallpaper on top of painted wallpaper. While it is possible to wallpaper over wallpaper, there are a few key factors to consider before starting this project. Firstly, assess the condition of the current wallpaper. If it is in good shape, with no peeling edges or bubbles, you may be able to apply the new wallpaper directly. However, if the existing wallpaper is damaged or peeling, it is recommended to remove it entirely to ensure a smooth surface for the new wallpaper. Additionally, the type of wallpaper you plan to use matters, as some materials may not provide an ideal surface for adhesion, especially if they have a textured finish. Furthermore, it is important to prepare the walls properly, filling any holes or cracks and ensuring the surface is as smooth as possible. While wallpapering over wallpaper can save time and effort, it may cause the paper to peel faster and create unwanted textures. Therefore, it is generally recommended to remove existing wallpaper before applying a new layer.
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What You'll Learn
Painting over wallpaper: advantages and disadvantages
Painting over wallpaper is a quick and cost-effective way to change the look of a room. However, it can result in an inferior long-term product, with seams showing through and an uneven finish. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of painting over wallpaper:
Advantages
- Cost-effective: Painting directly over wallpaper can be cheaper than removing it, as you won't need to spend money on adhesive removers and other tools.
- DIY-friendly: Painting over wallpaper is a simple project that most homeowners can take on themselves, even without a lot of DIY experience.
- Time-saving: Removing wallpaper can be time-consuming, especially if there are multiple layers. Painting over wallpaper can be a quicker alternative, as it doesn't require the same level of surface preparation.
- Wall protection: Removing wallpaper can sometimes damage the wall underneath, especially if it's pasted over unfinished plaster or drywall. Painting over wallpaper can help avoid this risk.
Disadvantages
- Seams and texture: Wallpaper seams and textured patterns may show through the paint, no matter how many coats are applied. This is more likely with textured wallpaper or if the wallpaper has a pattern or dark colour.
- Uneven finish: The paint may not adhere evenly to the wallpaper, resulting in a rough or messy surface due to frayed edges, bubbles, rips, dust, or other blemishes.
- Difficult removal: If you decide to remove the wallpaper later, it will be more difficult since the paint will have stiffened the paper and reduced its porosity. You will first need to strip the paint, making it a more challenging project.
- Inferior long-term product: While painting over wallpaper can be a quick fix, it may not stand the test of time. The wallpaper may begin to fail over the years, leading to a progressive process of repair and maintenance.
- Preparation required: Painting over wallpaper requires thorough preparation, including cleaning, repairing, and priming the surface with multiple coats. Skipping this step can result in an inferior finish.
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How to prepare walls for painting
Painting over wallpaper can be a good way to change the look of a room without the hassle of removing the wallpaper. However, it is important to prepare the walls properly to ensure a smooth and even finish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare walls for painting:
Inspect the Wallpaper
Before starting any painting project, it is important to inspect the condition of the wallpaper. Make sure it is smooth and in good condition, with no rips, tears, peels, or scratches. If the wallpaper is damaged, the paint may not adhere properly, resulting in an uneven finish.
Move and Cover Furniture
To protect your furniture and flooring from paint drips and spills, move any furniture that you can out of the room. Cover the remaining furniture and flooring with dust sheets or drop cloths. Use canvas drop cloths for a more durable option, or plastic and paper drop cloths for a more cost-effective solution.
Identify and Repair Loose Areas
Walk around the room with a flashlight to identify any loose areas of wallpaper. Pay close attention to areas near doors, windows, light switches, baseboards, and trim. Use adhesive to stick down any loose pieces. Fill any holes or cracks with filler or spackle, and then sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper (150-200 grit) to create a smooth surface.
Clean the Walls
Cleaning the walls is an important step to remove any dirt, dust, grime, or cobwebs that may prevent the paint from adhering properly. Use a mild detergent or sugar soap, and a sponge or soft cloth to gently clean the walls. Rinse with clean water and a slightly damp cellulose sponge or rag. Ensure the walls are thoroughly dry before proceeding to the next step.
Apply Primer
Primer helps to create a smooth base for the paint to adhere to and can help cover any stains or dark patches. Use an oil-based primer, especially if you are painting over vinyl wallpaper. Apply the primer with a paintbrush, cutting in the edges of the wall and brushing areas that a roller cannot reach. Then, use a roller to apply a layer of primer to the rest of the wall. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding.
Paint the Walls
Once the primer is dry, you can start painting the walls with your chosen colour. Use a brush and roller for best results, and apply at least two coats of paint for full coverage. Allow each coat of paint to dry for at least two hours before applying the next coat.
Remember, while painting over wallpaper can be a convenient option, it is generally recommended to remove the wallpaper first if possible. This is because the wallpaper seams and patterns may show through the paint, and removing the wallpaper will result in a smoother finish.
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Types of wallpaper that can be painted over
Painting over wallpaper is a good way to change the look of a room without the hassle of removing the wallpaper. While it is generally recommended to remove wallpaper before painting, this is not always possible or necessary. In some cases, painting over wallpaper is a quick, safe, and effective way to give a space a new look.
There are several types of wallpaper that can be painted over. Firstly, if you like the texture of your wallpaper but not the colour, you can paint over it with a matt paint, remembering to wipe away any excess paint that gathers in the grooves. Secondly, vinyl wallpaper can be painted over, but only if it is a paintable type. Before painting over vinyl wallpaper, you should apply an oil-based primer, which will allow the paint to adhere to the paper and pave the way for a smooth, easy application.
Wallpaper that is smooth and in good condition can also be painted over. This means that the wallpaper should not be scratched, peeling, ripped, or chipped, as this will result in an uneven surface. If the wallpaper is damaged, you can use filler to fix any holes or cracks on the surface. You can also use a thin layer of wallpaper seam adhesive to reattach loose fragments, or you can cut away the loose bits and fill in the gaps with spackle before sanding the area.
While it is possible to paint over textured wallpaper, it is important to note that the texture will remain underneath the paint, resulting in a wall surface that is not completely flat and even. In addition, certain types of textured wallpaper, such as fabric-backed vinyl, should not be painted over. If you are planning to stay in your home for a long time, it is generally better to remove the wallpaper before painting, as painted wallpaper can be very difficult to remove.
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How to wallpaper over existing wallpaper
While it is possible to wallpaper over existing wallpaper, it is not always recommended. If the existing wallpaper is damaged, vinyl, or has a bold pattern or dark colour, it is better to remove it. This is because vinyl wallpaper is non-porous, making it difficult for new wallpaper to adhere to it. Similarly, if the existing wallpaper has a busy pattern or dark colour, it might show through the new wallpaper.
If you still want to wallpaper over existing wallpaper, there are a few steps you should follow. First, prepare the surface by cleaning the existing wallpaper with a mild detergent solution and allowing it to dry completely. Make sure there are no lumps, rips, peeling, or holes. If there are any tears, bubbles, or loose edges, repair them with adhesive and a smoothing tool.
Next, prime the surface to improve adhesion and provide a smoother surface for the new wallpaper. Choose a primer suitable for wallpapering and follow the manufacturer's instructions for application. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding.
Once the surface is prepared and primed, you can begin hanging the new wallpaper. Carefully position the first strip of wallpaper at the top of the wall, leaving a slight overlap at the ceiling. Use a wallpaper smoother to press the wallpaper firmly onto the wall, working out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go. Continue hanging strips, aligning each new strip with the previous one to ensure a seamless pattern match.
Finally, trim any excess wallpaper at the top and bottom using a sharp utility knife and allow the wallpaper to dry completely before moving any furniture back into the room.
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Removing wallpaper before painting
While it is possible to paint over wallpaper, removing the wallpaper first is often recommended. However, this can be a challenging and time-consuming task, and there are some cases where removing the wallpaper can damage the wall underneath. For instance, if wallpaper has been installed over unfinished drywall or plaster, removing it could harm the wall. Similarly, if there are multiple layers of paper, the removal process can become much more difficult.
If you decide to remove the wallpaper, there are several steps you can follow to ensure a successful outcome:
Step 1: Prep Your Space
Clear the room as much as possible. Move any furniture you can't remove to the middle of the room and cover it with a dust sheet. Then, lay dust sheets on the floor and across any exposed surfaces.
Step 2: Score the Wallpaper
Use a wallpaper scoring tool in a circular motion to create shallow cuts in the wallpaper. This will help the adhesive-removal solution to penetrate and soften the adhesive, making it easier to remove the wallpaper.
Step 3: Choose Your Adhesive Remover
Select an appropriate adhesive remover for the type of wallpaper and adhesive you are dealing with. This will help to loosen the adhesive and make the removal process easier.
Step 4: Peel the Wallpaper and Remove Adhesive
Start peeling the wallpaper from the edges, using a blade scraper or putty knife to help lift the edges and scrape away any remaining adhesive. Be careful not to damage the wall underneath. You may need to use a heat gun or a steamer specifically designed for wallpaper removal to soften the adhesive further.
Step 5: Tackle Tricky Adhesive Spots
Even with the right tools and techniques, some adhesive spots may be particularly challenging to remove. You may need to use a combination of methods, such as scoring, hot water, and scraping, to effectively remove all the adhesive.
Step 6: Prime the Wall
Once the wallpaper and adhesive are removed, it's essential to prime the wall to prepare it for painting. Choose a suitable primer, such as an oil-based primer, and apply it to the walls using a paintbrush or roller. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding with painting.
While removing wallpaper can be a challenging task, following these steps can help ensure a successful outcome and provide a smooth surface for your new paint job.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can wallpaper over a painted surface, both flat and semi-gloss. However, it is recommended to remove the existing wallpaper first, as it can cause the new wallpaper to peel faster and create unwanted textures.
First, you need to inspect the existing wallpaper for any lumps, rips, peeling, and holes. If there are loose seams, apply seam sealer and use a seam roller to smooth them back into place. Fill any holes and sand the area until it is flat. Clean the walls with a mild detergent and a sponge, then rinse with a clean rag and let the walls dry.
Measure and cut the new wallpaper according to the height and width of your walls, allowing a few extra inches for trimming. Apply wallpaper adhesive to the back of the new wallpaper using a paint roller or brush. Carefully position the first strip of wallpaper at the top of the wall, leaving a slight overlap at the ceiling. Use a wallpaper smoother to press the wallpaper onto the wall, removing any air bubbles or wrinkles. Repeat this process for the remaining strips, ensuring a seamless pattern match.
