Can You Paint Over Wallpaper? Here’s All You Need to Know
If you’re not a fan of the wallpaper in your home, the good news is that you can paint over it.
If you decide that painting over wallpaper is the right solution for you, there are specific steps you need to follow, and the first one is to get the appropriate gear. Strong chemicals are involved in the process, so you will have to protect your eyes, skin and hair before you start. You will need to wear clothes and shoes that cover as much of your skin as possible, along with a hat and disposable gloves. Eye goggles are also a must to protect your eyes, and only once you have all of these items can you start painting over wallpaper.
Sizing is a chemical compound used to adhere old wallpapers to walls. If you paint this compound, there is a possibility that it can stain through your paint if you do not seal it, so you have to get an oil-based or shellac-based primer before you paint. Oil-based primers do take longer to dry but they are great at hiding wallpaper patterns and covering stains. Shellac-based primer is another option you can consider and dries a lot faster.
Once you determine the type of primer you will be using, you must then prepare the room by cleaning your walls. Use a damp rag to remove any dirt and dust and make sure the rag is not soaked so that it does not saturate the paper. Next, tape the trim and floors and cover your furniture so that you can repair peeling areas and exposed seams. Trim the paper off carefully using a sheetrock knife and paint primer over the spots to seal it. After the paper has been sealed, let it dry and spackle any holes or dings and sand your walls to even out the surface. When you are done, wipe your walls again using a damp cloth to get rid of new dust.
Once your walls are clean and smooth, and you are fully protected, you can go ahead and apply primer. Make sure you don’t overload the brush and always start with less and build up gradually. Wait for the primer to dry and check for rough spots so that you can fix them with a spackling compound. One coat of primer is generally enough if you use good products, and once your primer dries, you can then paint over your wallpaper the same way you would paint any other wall.
These steps are easy to follow, and the only way you can paint over wallpaper is if you prep and prime the wall first because this will get you the results you are after.
If you want your project to be a success, Monarch Paints can help! We are one of the top paint stores Toronto and offer wallpaper options as well, so if you’re ready to make changes to your home and want to improve its appearance, contact us today!