How to Paint Wallpaper

You’ve been looking at that old floral wallpaper pattern for 10 years now and you’re tired of it. Or maybe you just moved into a new place and the previous owners put up some gaudy wallpaper that’s even peeling in places—and you know you won’t be able to live with that.



Well, if you think your only alternative to looking at that ugly wallpaper is to take it down and take on a major “pain in the b---“ project—you might be in luck. Using the proper techniques and products, you may actually be able to paint right over that wallpaper and end up with a nice, smooth wall. Here’s how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sponge or sponge mop and water
• Drywall compound (“Spackle”)
• Putty knife
• Fine sandpaper (200 grit)
• Oil-based primer
• Latex paint (flat or eggshell finish)
• Rollers, brushes, paint trays, drop cloths
• Utility knife
• Tube of glue

1. Ensure that the wall surface is in good shape. This means be sure the wallpaper is securely attached to the wall and the seams are tightly together. If any seams or sections of wallpaper are loose, use your tube of glue to fasten them down. Also, if you find any small bubbles in the wallpaper, cut a small slit with your utility knife and glue the pieces to the wall.

2. Test paint a small area to see how well your wallpaper will hold paint. Allow the test patch to dry thoroughly before you go any further. Some wallpaper is just too old and dried out and will start to peel away after it's painted, so it’s important to determine whether or not your wallpaper will hold the paint.
   
   If your wallpaper starts to peel after you paint the test patch, you should strip the wallpaper rather than paint over it.

3. Assuming your wallpaper is sound, run your hand over the surface feeling for any small holes or imperfections and fill any you come across using “Spackle” and a putty knife to apply it smoothly.

4. Prepare your room for painting by removing all the switch plates and outlet covers, as well as clearing the room of furniture and laying down drop cloths while waiting for the “Spackle“ to dry.
   
   
   
   Check my related article: "How to Mask a Room" for some additional tips (see Resources below).

5. Lightly sand your walls to get rid of any rough ridges in the “Spackle," glue residue and any other surface dust or grime.

6. After sanding, using your sponge or a sponge mop and some clean water, damp wash your walls to remove any dust from your sanding, then let the walls (and the wallpaper) dry thoroughly.

7. Apply a coat of oil-based primer to your walls using a paint roller. Once again, allow it to dry thoroughly before applying the second coat. You want to use oil-based primer rather than a latex primer because the water in a latex primer may loosen the wallpaper glue, and over time your wallpaper could start to slip or come loose.

8. After the primer has dried, paint your walls with the color of your choice. You should count on two coats to ensure the wallpaper doesn’t “burn” (show) through the paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an acrylic latex paint in a flat or eggshell finish to make your walls look smooth. A glossy or shiny finish will catch the eye and tend to show any little bumps or imperfections (like the wallpaper seams).
• You can get your primer tinted to match your chosen paint color. This will help prevent any shadows of wallpaper showing through your new paint job.
• The primer and paint will take longer to dry on wallpaper than when applied directly to a wall. Give them time to dry thoroughly (overnight should do it) between coats.

Resources

• How to Mask a Room