How to Prepare for Painting Over Wallpaper
Wallpaper, like other materials containing an adhesive, is a challenge to remove, especially if the wallpaper is old and matted to the walls it is covering. You don't have to remove old or unwanted wallpaper. You can paint over the wallpaper, but you must prepare the material first. Failure to clean and prepare the wallpapered surface can lead to the paint not adhering to the wallpaper and to the wallpaper bleeding through the paint. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2 soft rags or cloths
- Work gloves or latex gloves
- Trash bag or trash can
- Putty knife
- Joint compound
- 200-grit or higher sandpaper
- Drop cloths or newspapers
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Primer/sealer or oil-based primer (for textured wallpaper)
- Paint stirrer
- Paint pan
- Paint roller
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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Preparing the Walls
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1
Wipe the wallpaper-covered walls with a soft rag or cloth to remove any loose dust and dirt from the wallpaper's surface. Wear work or latex gloves to keep your hands clean.
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2
Pull any loose, peeling and bubbling wallpaper from the walls. Place the removed pieces of wallpaper in a trash bag or can for disposal later.
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3
Use a putty knife to apply joint compound to any areas on the wallpaper-covered walls that are damaged, contain nail holes or the wallpaper seams are visible, but not bubbling.
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4
Sand the areas containing joint compound with a piece of 200-grit or higher sandpaper.
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5
Wipe the sanded areas with a clean, soft cloth or rag. Repeat Step 4 until the joint-compound areas are smooth.
Applying Primer
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6
Lay down drop cloths or sheets of newspaper to cover any carpet, tile or other flooring in the area you are priming.
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7
Use a flat-head screwdriver to open a gallon of primer/sealer. Stir the primer with a paint stirrer. Pour the primer/sealer into a paint pan. If you are planning to paint the wallpaper using an oil-based paint, use an oil-based primer. If the wallpaper you are painting is textured (having raised ridges, curves or designs), use an oil-based primer to smooth out the textured finish, since oil-based primer is thicker than regular primer.
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8
Use a paint roller to apply the primer/sealer to your wallpaper-covered walls. Use a paintbrush to prime areas the roller cannot reach.
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9
Repeat Step 3, if needed or recommended by the instructions on the primer/sealer's container.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Let the primer/sealer dry according to the recommended time stated in the instructions on the primer/sealer's container before painting your wallpaper-covered walls.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wallpaper image by Svetlin Rusev from Fotolia.com
