The very first question that popped in my mind while staring at the wall of the house I shifted in recently was “How to paint over wallpaper?”.
The faded floral prints, curling edges and the torn texture reflected the decades of wear.
I came across a number of paint over wallpaper before and after photos online as I continued researching to understand the process of painting over wallpaper.
These photos showed the dramatic transformation that can take place even without removing a single strip.
Whether your walls have peeling seams or just a print that feels too outdated, you are at the right place for all the answers.
In this blog, we will walk through everything from scratch, be it prepping the walls, gathering the right tools or tips for tackling different spaces of the house.
I assure by the end of this guide, you will have a clear and complete answer on how to paint over wallpaper correctly.
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How To Paint Over Wallpaper: Steps To Follow
The actual process of painting over a wallpaper can begin once your surface is prepped and sanded properly.
Each step that you follow will form the base for the next step so rushing any of them can ruin the whole surface.
Make sure that you follow a section by section approach so that you can manage the work properly. This will give your wall a smooth look.
Apply A Primer
Start by applying a high quality oil based primer for painting over wallpaper or a specialized wallpaper primer across the entire surface.
This covers seams and any uneven patched areas. A good primer helps the paint stick well, seals the wallpaper texture and prevents old prints or colors from peeking through the finished coats.
You shouldn’t rush this step as a patchy primer job can lead to uneven absorption once you start painting.
At last ensure that you let your oil based primer dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Cut In And Roll
Start with cutting the edges with the help of an angled brush once your primer has dried. Then carefully start painting across the corners, trim and ceilings where a roller is hard to use.
This step helps create clean and defined lines before you paint the larger wall sections. It also makes the next stage easier and more precise.
Move on to applying paint in even and overlapping strokes section by section using a roller once the edges are done.
You should keep a consistent technique and pressure throughout to avoid visible lines, roller marks or texture differences once the paint is dry.
Dry And Recoat
Once your coat is dried completely then you should check if there are any uneven spots or areas that need a second coat.
You should do this step carefully as rushing this step can trap moisture beneath the surface and form bubbles.
After the entire surface is dry, start with applying the second coat for a full and even coverage. Pay close attention to seams and borders that still tend to show slight variation.
This second layer of coat will give a flat and uniform finish instead of a visible patchiness or inconsistent colour.
Final Inspection
Walk around the room slowly and check the walls under both natural and artificial lighting carefully once your second coat has dried completely.
This will help you spot any missed areas, visible seams or leftover texture that are still showing through the paint.
If you come across any imperfections then touch up those specific areas instead of repainting the complete wall. This step gives the wall a clean and finished look.
How To Prepare Wallpaper For a Smooth Paint Finish?
Preparing the surface of the wallpaper is the most important part for your paint job to last long. If you rush any of these steps then it can make the project go wrong.
So make sure that you take proper time to fix the seams, borders and surface texture before priming. This will set the foundation for a smooth and long lasting finish.
If the wallpaper is peeling badly across large areas, following proper how to remove wallpaper steps first may work better than painting over it.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper Seams
Wallpaper seams are often the first place where paint jobs fail. Whether you raise or lift the edge, it will show through even after you have coated it multiple times or applied it carefully.
So run your hands over the walls to check for any loose or curling seams present before you start painting.
Once you have identified the problem areas, use a small amount of adhesive or joint compound to flatten the seam. And then lightly sand the area so it blends with the rest of the surface once the surface dries.
This gives you a smoother and even base to work with before you start with priming and painting.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper Border
Borders of wallpaper can be trickier to fix than seams as they sit slightly raised above the wallpaper beneath them. It creates a visible ridge that’s easy to fix until the paint has already been applied.
You need to pay extra attention to the raised edge during the preparation as just primer and paint alone aren’t enough to conceal it.
To fix a wallpaper border, you should start with sanding down the raised edge and fill any remaining lip with joint compound.
Let it dry completely before you start priming as it prevents the ridge line from peeking through your finished paint.
Tools And Materials Required To Paint Over Wallpaper
An important part of any paint job is the tools you use including choosing the best primer for painting over wallpaper.
The right tools make the whole process smoother and help you avoid any issues in the middle of the work.
Below we will see a complete breakdown of everything you need to paint over a wallpaper.
Primer And Paint
The most non-negotiable item is a stain blocking primer made specifically for wallpaper. It helps in sealing the wallpaper surface.
It also prevents old patterns from peeking through the coat and gives your paint a stable base to adhere to.
Applying your chosen interior paint will complete the look once your primer is fully dry. Still, what kind of paint do you use to paint over wallpaper does matter.
You can go for matte, satin or semi-gloss finish paints if you are aiming for a professional look. Apply a good amount of paint on the wall to get an even coverage and avoid any rushed patchy appearance.
Roller And Brush
Once your primer has dried, how to paint over wallpaper with a roller comes down to covering large and open sections quickly and evenly.
This helps you in maintaining a consistent texture and finish across broad surfaces. Choose the right nap thickness for your wall’s texture as it can make a noticeable difference in coverage.
Then use an angled brush to work precisely along corners, trim and ceilings. This holds whether you are using a standard primer and paint combo or all-in-one wallpaper cover paint kit.
Switching between both the tools depending on the section of the wall you are working on gives a smooth and even wall.
Sandpaper And Joint Compound
Use a sandpaper to smooth out seams, borders and any raised or uneven areas on the wallpaper.
Lightly sanding the surface creates a flatter and paint ready base before you fill any remaining imperfections.
Joint compound and sandpaper go hand in hand, as joint compound is applied in thin layers followed by sanding it smoothly.
This helps in ensuring seams don’t reappear as faint lines once the paint has fully settled.
Putty Knife And Painters Tape
A putty knife is used to apply and smooth the joint compound directly over the seams. This gives you a clean and even layer instead of a lumpy one.
You should also keep different sizes of knives which can help you in handling both small and larger seam repairs and touch-ups.
Using painter’s tape will help you in protecting trim, ceilings and edges from stray paint. This saves you from a tedious cleanup later.
Apply it carefully along clean and dry surfaces before you begin priming to get crisp and professional looking lines throughout your project.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper in Different Spaces
The basic process stays mostly the same across different spaces and rooms by following the same core steps. Whether can you paint over patterned wallpaper or a plain one, the answer usually comes down to prep rather than pattern.
Certain spaces do have their own requirements, whether it’s the type of material or the amount of moisture a room deals with regularly.
Understanding these small differences can save you from issues like crackling, peeling or bubbling. Below are three spaces that often need a slightly different approach.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper In An RV
When we talk about RV walls, they are thinner and more lightweight than standard drywall. This makes it more important to use a primer that won’t add excessive weight or moisture to the surface.
Choosing a lightweight quick-drying primer helps you keep the wall structure intact while still ensuring a solid base for paint.
RV wallpaper is often older and more brittle than what you would typically find in a traditional home. So checking for peeling seams before priming is important.
This will help you avoid cracking from the constant vibration and shifting temperatures in the space that can expose any weak spots.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper In A Mobile Home
Mobile home walls generally have unique textures or paneling underneath the wallpaper which needs extra preparation.
Take your time to inspect the wall type before you choose any primer for the surface.
Choosing a primer with good elasticity helps in holding the paint job better over time without cracking along the seams.
Considering this aspect is very important especially in spaces where structural movement is more common than in standard homes.
How To Paint Over Wallpaper In A Bathroom
When we speak about bathrooms, you need to know that they deal with regular humidity and moisture. So, it’s suggested to use a mold-resistant primer paired with a satin or semi-gloss paint that can handle steam and condensation without peeling over time.
These finishes are also easier to wipe down which matters in spaces that see frequent cleaning.
At times, bathroom wallpaper glue residue traps the moisture behind it. So giving them extra time to dry after cleaning is necessary before you start priming.
Rushing this drying period can lead to bubbling or peeling later even if the rest of the work was done carefully and correctly.
Conclusion
So far, we have covered everything related to how to paint over wallpaper, from priming and painting to the final touch ups.
One thing that we have understood is that the preparation stage makes the biggest difference in how smooth and professional the final result looks.
Different spaces have their own requirements depending on the surface and conditions they deal with. Adjusting your primer, paint and approach accordingly helps in preventing peeling, bubbling or uneven finishes.
Understanding how to paint over wallpaper without removing it makes the whole process appealing.
Take the time to test your primer on a small hidden section of wallpaper before you commit to a full room. This simple step helps you confirm whether your prep work is solid.
It also lets you move forward with your painting job without any issues midway. So now, I hope you won’t have to wonder how to paint over wallpaper just like I did.
FAQs on How To Paint Over Wallpaper
You should not paint directly over glue residue because most paints are water-based. You can use hot water mixed with a little dish soap or wallpaper remover to fix this issue. Let the mixture soak in the glue and then gently scrap it off.
Glue down loose edges and then apply a thin skim coat over every seam which is light in weight to paint over wallpaper without seams showing. Follow it by sanding the surface flat and then seal it with an oil-based primer before applying your latex paint.
Using an oil-based or shellac-based primer followed by any standard high quality acrylic latex wall paint helps the paint to stick to the wallpaper. You should avoid using water-based primer because the moisture will soak and cause the paper to bubble, peel or fall off the wall.
Yes, you can paint over a 20 year old wallpaper but only if it’s stuck firmly to the wall. There shouldn’t be any loose seams, texture or fabric backed. You should use an oil based or shellac based primer to ensure the paint stays intact to the surface.
