Most home improvement experts do not recommend painting over  wallpaper because the results are usually less than perfect. The practice demonstrates poor craftsmanship because wallpaper textures and seams can show through. The paint job will not last as long as painting on a clean surface because the moisture from the paint can weaken the wallpaper’s adhesive, which will create bubbles in the paper. Painted wallpaper is also difficult to remove later on, which is a pain if you expect to renovate in the future.

Should you remove the wallpaper before painting?

On the other hand, removing stubborn wallpaper can create further problems, such as crumbling drywall or plaster. So for some homeowners, painting over wallpaper is the lesser of two evils. Keep in mind that patchy wallpaper cannot be painted; you must work with wallpaper that is in good condition–with curling or loose edges at most.

If your wallpaper is peeling and patchy, continue reading “How to Remove Wallpaper” below. If your wallpaper is in good condition, skip this next section and read “How to Paint over Wallpaper” below.

How To Remove Wallpaper

Materials:
Wallpaper scorer
Hot Water
Fabric Softener
Spray Bottle
Wide Putty Knife
Dish Detergent
Bucket
Sponge
Towel

1. Spread drop cloths around the base of the walls.

2. Remove all switch plates and outlet covers.

3. Create holes in the wallpaper with a wallpaper scorer.

4. Mix 3 parts hot water and 1 part fabric softener in the spray bottle.

5. Spray a small section of the wall. You should be able to strip the wallpaper from this section within 15 minutes.

6. Let the solution soak for three minutes.

7. Pull an edge of the wallpaper upward. Use the putty knife to help separate it.

8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 until all the wallpaper is removed.

9. Mix a tablespoon of dish detergent with hot water in the bucket.

10. Wipe the walls with this solution using the sponge.

11. Rinse the walls with water.

12. Dry the walls with a towel.

How To Paint Over Wallpaper

Materials:
Strong Adhesive
Stain-killing Paint
Emery Board
Paint

1. Glue down any curling edges with a strong adhesive. Press and hold until secure.

2. Apply two coats of stain-killing paint. Let it dry between coats.

3. File down any visible seams with an emery board.

4. Apply the top coat of paint.

This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 at 6:00 pm and is filed under Painters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.